Trauma

Emdr for treating complex PTSD symptoms - Can It Be Helpful? Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has become a powerful tool for clinicians to help people recover and heal from general post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technique is used, essentially, to focus on particular memories and to reprocess them. While, at the same time, the patient experiences bilateral stimulation provided by the therapist, such as following the therapist's finger back and forth with their eyes, for example. But is it possible to use EMDR for treating complex PTSD symptoms as well? The short answer is yes, EMDR can help. Yet, modifications [...]

No one likes to admit when they have hit a brick wall, metaphorically speaking. It’s easier to put on an air of confidence rather than admit that something is very wrong. However, deep down inside you probably know that, despite years of effort, there are still emotional issues that cling tightly to you. That’s why now, more than ever, working with an EMDR therapist may be something you should seriously consider. Therapy is essential for making permanent lasting change. Even if you have had negative outcomes with therapy before, it is still the best solution. Here’s why working with a therapist who specializes [...]

It’s been years or even decades since you were a child, living with emotionally abusive parents. You would think that it would be possible to put the past behind you and move on. Yet, the emotional abuse you experienced still feels fresh. It’s as if those experiences had just happened yesterday. The result of having experienced emotional abuse is that you approach life today much differently than you would like. Things that seem easy for others are quite hard for you. The result is that you struggle to live up to your full potential and to enjoy life. Consider why growing up with emotionally [...]

Over 30 years after it's origination, EMDR, seems to be enjoying a new popularity.  EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, has been hailed as an effective treatment for PTSD.  Therapists who treat clients using EMDR, and clients who have benefited from the approach are often excited by the positive results they've experienced.  But does this potent form of mental health treatment have side effects? In this post, I'll share my view. Does EMDR Have Side Effects? First, it's important to note that any form of effective therapy can potentially have side effects. And this is true of EMDR treatment too. [...]

Nightmares and PTSD. You had that dream again. All of a sudden you wake up with a start, dripping with sweat. For an instant, you’re not sure if you are still in the nightmare or if you are in the real world. Eventually, things start to settle, your breathing slows, and you realize that you are in your bedroom. Yet, it felt like what you were dreaming was so real. Nightmares due to PTSD are a terrible reminder of past trauma and can cause all kinds of sleep issues. However, there are solutions for coping with these dreadful dreams so that sleep doesn’t [...]

Do you suffer with PTSD, or trauma symptoms? If so, should you be seeking EMDR or CBT therapy? I wrote this blog post to help you decide. EMDR or CBT? Which is More Effective For PTSD? When it comes to PTSD therapy, there are a few main treatment approaches that are widely available. Many people have heard and read about both EMDR therapy and CBT therapy. But how are you to know which is better? After all, you will be investing your time, your money and your heart into healing and recovery. Of course you would want the trauma treatment approach [...]

If you are struggling with trauma, you want a treatment that will work. That's where Emdr in trauma-informed care comes in. It’s hard enough coping with the emotions and memories associated with the trauma that you experienced. And this is true whether those events occurred last week or even decades ago. Perhaps you’ve even given up hope that you could resolve your trauma. But you can, by participating in trauma-informed care through EMDR. There are several advantages of EMDR which allow you to face what happened and, at the same time, resolve the hurt and pain from those experiences. Trauma-informed therapy, [...]

As an Emdr therapist, I get questions. Often questions about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) come from clients who have have heard or read about it's efficacy and want to know more. Probably the most common question about EMDR is the following: What Is EMDR Therapy And How Does It Work? EMDR is a psychotherapy modality that is integrative. It contains elements of treatment that exist in other approaches, and combines them. This creates a potent method for resolving traumatic symptoms. The Emdr Institute is the main source of training for EMDR therapists. They describe the benefit of what is [...]

It's awful to see someone you love suffer. You see how anxious and triggered they can get. Their mood swings. You see how troubled they become in intimate relationships. And you say to yourself "I wish I knew how to help someone with Complex PTSD". Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is the result of surviving repeated abuse. Sadly, it often occurs at the hands of those who are supposed to love and care for us the most. It's this fact that is makes recovery from C-PTSD so challenging. Remind Them About How Their Nervous System Works Its power to colour experience is awesome. [...]