Trauma and EMDR therapy
Trauma comes in all different shapes and sizes. Perhaps you were recently in a horrific car
accident, were recently sexually assaulted, or have a history of childhood abuse; Someone
might label any of these events as traumatic, and that is for you to decide and not for
anyone else to label that as traumatic for you. Our practice believes in meeting clients
where they are at in their healing journey and walking with them through the challenges
that may lie in their way.
Trauma therapy asks individuals to be vulnerable about the experiences that have left
mental and emotional scars on them to find coping mechanisms that feel authentic and
helpful in triggering situations. While therapy is a great starting point, the real work stems
from an individual's ability to find the strength within to move forward.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is caused when there are unresolved feelings attached to a negative experience that
may have affected an individual in their life. These feelings can range from shame, anger,
despair, guilt, anxiety, or depression; the common factor in all of these is that they are part
of a normal reaction and cycle of living through a traumatic experience. Every individual
will have a unique reaction to the things that caused their trauma and the things that
triggered it. It is up to each person to understand why they feel these things and find out
how to move on from their hurt.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of trauma therapy that
asks an individual to reprocess the instances in their life that caused obstructive or limiting
beliefs so that any mental blocks can be addressed, validated, and eventually healed. This
process involves using eye movements and guided directions from a trained therapist to
help restructure an individual's way of thinking and feeling when faced with challenges
from the past. The goal is to help the client find a new way of understanding their trauma
by taking back any power that the negative experience may have held over them and
harnessing that power to create a better path forward.
Trauma Therapy Can Help
Trauma can live within the body and mind of an individual far past the experience that
caused it. It has a way of sticking to the things that are reminders of how that experience
changes an individual, and as a result, can lead to someone feeling overwhelmed and
isolated in their feelings. Some triggers can cause a person to enter fight, flight, or freeze
mode instinctually, while others make an individual want to repress their negative
emotions, thoughts, or actions even more.
All of our therapists are trauma-informed here at Living Within Therapy. We understand
how the past affects the present. Perhaps your current relationships are being impacted by
trauma that you have not been able to process from your younger years. We are here to
help you get unstuck by learning how to reclaim your power and stay present. A few of
our clinicians are trained in different trauma protocols, including Eye Movement
Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
If you or a loved one is living through a traumatic experience in their everyday lives, then
therapy may be the right choice to find control over what triggers you and move on from
your past pain. Trauma cannot be healed overnight, but with the right guidance and
support, you can begin to live a life free of the things that have held you back. Please
reach out to our office to learn more about our trauma-informed therapy sessions.