EMDR
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. As EMDR is a mental health intervention, it should only be offered by properly trained and licensed mental health clinicians. EMDRIA does not condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR such as a "do-it-yourself" virtual therapy.
How does EMDR work?
No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes "frozen in time," and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
What kind of problems can be treated with EMDR?
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions:
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Panic attacks
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Complicated grief
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Dissociative disorders
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Disturbing memories
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Phobias
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Pain disorders
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Performance anxiety
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Stress reduction
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Addictions
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Sexual and/or Physical abuse
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Body dysmorphic disorders
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Personality Disorders
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CBT
What is CBT?
CBT, or Cognitive Behavior Therapy, is a therapy type that believes that many of our psychological problems are based on unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behaviors. An important part of CBT is helping clients change their unhelpful thinking and behavior to make lasting changes in their mood. CBT is a problem-specific, time limited, goal-oriented approach that needs the individual's active involvement to succeed. It focuses on their present-day challenges, thoughts, and behaviors.
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How does it work?
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CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on how a person's thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect their feelings and behaviors. According to CBT, people's pattern of thinking is like wearing a pair of glasses that makes us see the world in a specific way. CBT makes us more aware of how these thought patterns create our reality and determine how we behave.
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Who can benefit from CBT?
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All ages can benefit from the strategies in CBT. It is used with children to adults using a person centered approach. CBT is used to treat a range of diagnoses, some are: anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias, anger, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
Motivational Interviewing
What is MI?
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Motivational interviewing, MI, is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find their own motivation they need to change their behavior. It is a practical, empathetic, and short-term process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes. Health professionals using MI are guided by core principles to help the client through a collaborative approach that includes engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning processes.
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Who can benefit from MI?
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MI is a technique that can be used in conjunction with other techniques. The hallmarks of MI are a person-centered approach that emphasizes reflective listening techniques to truly understand the feelings and choices of the client. Children to adults can benefit from feeling heard completely and understood non-judgmentally.
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Hypnosis
What is hypnosis? Does hypnosis work?
Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation, combined with heightened suggestibility and concentration. It is a direct way to reach the subconscious, which directs our habits and behavior. While you are deeply relaxed, your hypnotherapist makes suggestions, which are agreeable to you, about what changes you are ready to make in your life. You visualize these changes and, after the session is complete, you naturally act on the suggestions to achieve your goals. Hypnosis definitely works to help you change your life through the power of your mind!
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What types of issues can I use hypnosis for?
Relaxation, weight loss, smoking cessation, sleep therapy, pain management, fears/phobias, depression, anxiety/stress, success/self confidence, healing, overcoming trauma, anesthesia, achieving goals, creativity, memory enhancement, public speaking, sports performance, better study/learning abilities, addictions/habits, motivation, meditation, dreams, re-energizing/revitalizing, laughter/stage performance, coming to terms with grief... and so much more!