Holistic Trauma Counseling
All of our stories are unique. A traumatic event can impact us in many different ways. Depending on the type of trauma and exposure to trauma our brains, bodies and emotions suffer. We can become disbalanced, disconnected from our lives and unconsciously dissociating as a way to survive. We experience extreme daily symptoms that impact our ability to work, parent and just be. This may lead to an addiction or a physiologic overload. The central nervous system stays on auto pilot, and you live in a perceived state of danger and fear. As holistic mental health providers, we understand that the mind-body-spirit must be regulated to truly heal from the traumatic experience or experiences. We provide you with an eclectic tool box to begin your healing journey and if necessary we can collaborate with medication providers, naturopathic doctors,and many other complementary and alternative practitioners that will help you rebalance the whole system.
IFS - Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems is a powerfully transformative, evidence-based model of
psychotherapy. We believe the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing. Our
inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to
become integrated and whole. In IFS all parts are welcome.
IFS is a movement. A new, empowering paradigm for understanding and harmonizing the
mind and, thereby, larger human systems. One that can help people heal and helps the
world become a more compassionate place.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
DBT - Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is therapy that uses a cognitive-behavioral approach, which emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment.The theory behind the approach is based on the idea that some people are prone to react in a much more intense and out of the ordinary manner when it comes to certain emotional situations. This may be more likely in relationships that involve romance, family or friends. This is based on the idea that some people’s level of arousal in such situations can increase much more quickly when compared to the average person.
These types of individuals seem to attain a higher level of emotional stimulation while
taking a significant amount of time returning to baseline levels. This may also manifest as
an extreme swing of emotions. These kinds of personalities see things in black and white, as opposed to different shades of grey. This type of person may jump from one crisis to another because they lack the necessary coping skills. DBT teaches them the necessary skills to cope in a healthier manner. Four skills that DBT utilizes are:
1. Mindfulness
2. Interpersonal effectiveness
3. Emotional regulation
4. Distress tolerance
Inner Child Trauma Work
Inner Child Work is a trauma-informed approach to working with people who have
experienced various forms of trauma, abuse, and neglect (either within the family or
outside the family) earlier on in life. If you clicked to read this article, chances are, there is
a part of you that is yearning for some care.
Inner Child Work blends together frameworks of attachment theory, somatic (or body-
based) therapies, Jungian Shadow work, Internal Family Systems, and psychodynamic
theories. Many of these theories or types of therapy are rooted in the ideas that our past
influences our present, our bodies and unconscious hold wisdom, and there is hope and
potential for new connections to be made, within and without.
Behavioral Therapy
This form of therapy seeks to identify and help change potentially self-destructive or
unhealthy behaviors. It functions on the idea that all behaviors are learned and that
unhealthy behaviors can be changed. The focus of treatment is often on current problems
and how to change them.
Behavioral therapy can benefit people with a wide range of disorders.
Trauma Focused CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT) is a common type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). You work with a mental health counselor (psychotherapist or therapist) in a structured way, attending a limited number of sessions. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.
CBT can be a very helpful tool ― either alone or in combination with other therapies ― in
treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental
health condition. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage
stressful life situations.
