EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is an extensively researched, effective model of psychotherapy that’s proven to help people recover from trauma and mental health concerns.
EMDR can help with intense emotions, thoughts, flashbacks and intrusive images.
Here at Trauma Resolution Center, we utilize EMDR during Trauma Resolution Intensives and Trauma Focused Therapy, as well as EMDR Groups.
EMDR Therapy and Groups are available virtually or in person.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is rooted in the Adaptive Information Model, which posits that trauma is stored and stuck in our brains neural network.
If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of the memory or events, it can lead to significant emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical suffering (intense emotions, thoughts, flashbacks, intrusive images).
After successful treatment, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced.
How does EMDR Work?
Using detailed protocols and procedures, clinicians trained in EMDR therapy help you activate your natural healing processes. The difficult experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.
To support the brain in resuming its natural healing abilities, EMDR therapists use strategies to tax the working memory such as:
Bilateral stimulation (BLS) in the form of eye movements
Pulsars
Tapping
Auditory beeps
EMDR trained therapists incorporate other treatment modalities to support with processing.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or require completing homework between sessions.
EMDR Groups
EMDR Group application (G-TEP) is useful for small groups who have been impacted by the same traumatic event.
This is a comprehensive approach to treating recent events, in the belief that serious trauma symptoms may be prevented by receiving early interventions. The goal is to reduce the emotional distress that surround the triggers and symptoms within a gentle and supportive group setting.
At no point are group members required, asked, or encouraged to discuss any details of their traumatic episode with others in the group. Individuals get the benefit of individualized treatment (privacy, own treatment goals) within a group setting.
Examples of events that would benefit from Group Based EMDR include but not limited to:
Situations experienced in an emergency room
First Responders attending a call. Group based EMDR is often an excellent alternative to call debriefing.
Group of individuals witnessing or experiencing a difficult and/or disturbing event.
Group of individuals with shared experience (example: birth trauma).
Any event that has had an impact on you and/or others who experienced it (ie: death of a loved one; diagnosis of a chronic illness; exposure to domestic violence).
Act of violence on communities
Natural Disasters
Exposure to war/combat
Group-based EMDR can be completed in office, virtually, and/or in your organization.
Combining Therapies with EMDR
At Trauma Resolution Centre, all of our therapists have advanced training in EMDR, and integrate other evidenced-based trauma resolution therapies into their Intensives and psychotherapy practices.
While EMDR itself is a distinct therapeutic technique, it can be combined with other therapeutic models to enhance its effectiveness and address a wider range of psychological issues.
These are some of the therapies that will be incorporated into your treatment at Trauma Resolution Centre, either during a Trauma Resolution Intensive, psychotherapy sessions, or group sessions:
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Ego-state therapy, also known as parts therapy, focuses on identifying and addressing different "ego-states" within an individual. EMDR recognizes that traumatic experiences can create fragmented parts within a person's psyche.
EMDR therapists may use techniques from ego-state therapy to identify and address these parts, helping the individual understand their emotions, thoughts, and reactions within the context of their traumatic experiences.
By addressing the interactions and relationships among these internal parts, individuals can achieve a deeper level of integration and more complete resolution of traumatic memories.
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Cognitive therapies focus on identifying and modifying maladaptive thought patterns and beliefs.
EMDR can integrate cognitive elements by helping clients reprocess traumatic memories while concurrently addressing associated negative beliefs and distorted cognitions.
This can lead to a more balanced and adaptive perspective on the traumatic events, reducing the emotional distress associated with them resulting in modified behaviours.
Cognitive therapies are also helpful during stabilization phases of therapy.
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If seeking intensive treatment for an anxiety disorder (phobia, OCD, trauma etc), it is likely that exposure therapy will be a part of your treatment.
Exposure therapy is a cognitive-behavioral technique that involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations, memories, or stimuli that trigger their anxiety or distress.
The therapist will support you in engaging with the feared stimuli to reduce distress and avoidance in a controlled and safe environment.
The goal is to desensitize the individual to the distressing triggers which help them to develop more adaptive responses. Item description
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Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of early relationships in shaping an individual's psychological well-being.
EMDR integrates attachment-based principles by exploring how past attachment experiences influences current reactions to traumatic memories.
Addressing attachment-related issues can lead to a deeper understanding of emotional reactions and support with the development of healthier relationships.
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Somatic Therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the body's physiological responses to trauma and stress. It emphasizes the role of the nervous system in processing and releasing traumatic experiences.
By incorporating somatic-focused therapy principles into EMDR, therapists can offer clients a comprehensive approach that addresses the interplay between psychological and physiological aspects of trauma.
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The Gottman Method aims "to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.
This approach is often used in Couples Therapy.