Trauma Therapy
What Happens During An EMDR Session?
In preparing for EMDR we first build up your positive strengths. For instance, we may talk about a time in your life you felt strong or safe. During an EMDR processing session, we use a website platform where your therapist plays sounds and/or a dot to watch. This activates both sides of the brain while you share what you are experiencing while thinking about a negative life event. Each session can last 40-90 minutes.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR relies on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, a theory about how your brain stores memories. When a person experiences trauma, the brain may start to process information differently. A person who has experienced trauma or negative life events may relate to them in ways that feel "stuck" or repetitious. EMDR helps to move people out of these negative mental patterns and into more healthy functioning.
We help people who have trauma from past events such as sexual abuse, physical assault, emotional abuse, witnessing or experiencing violence, deaths, identity-based traumas and accidents.Sometimes people have experienced many of these issues over time, this is one definition of complex trauma which we are here to help you heal from.
Can I See How It Works?
Due to ethical guidelines, we are not able to share client testimonials on this website but you can view three videos below that give you a sense of how Flash Technique and EMDR work.
Trauma therapy can take many forms, the first stage starts with helping you feel you safer and cope with triggers. Finding a trusted therapist to do that work with is key.
Trauma can occur due to an intense feeling of helplessness in reaction to negative events. It can be the result of a single incident, such as an assault, or a result of many incidents over time such as childhood abuse.
While in therapy with the Authentic Alliance team you may learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapies and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to use skills like "Grounding" or distraction tools to cope with being upset. We rarely jump into doing trauma work that involves sharing details about the worst things that happened to you--that can be "re-traumatizing." First we get to know you and develop trust between us. When you are ready, Lisette and Anthony may use Flash and/or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition, we may use the Flash Technique to prepare for EMDR or to quickly desensitize memories which are distressing to you.
When working with Sage you may use Internal Family Systems or narrative therapies to cope and heal. Learn more about IFS and trauma with this article from partsandself.org.
Anthony may also integrate Liberation theory, Geek therapy, and narrative techniques in your healing work. With specialized training in EMDR for Complex PTSD, Anthony is equipped to help you navigate issues such as microaggressions, stigmatization, internalized homophobia and transphobia, parentification, religious trauma, neglect, abuse, and abandonment.
How Do I Get Started Working With A Therapist?
Want to start in trauma therapy with one of our therapists? Book instantly into one of our calendars if you would like a free first time brief meeting to see if the therapist is a good fit for you. If you have questions, need help figuring out which therapist is right for you, or want to book a full first session, reach out through the secure contact form.
