Trauma Therapies
Rooted in neuroscience research, trauma therapies address trauma at the root of current day struggles. Trauma is defined as a painful experience with a lasting impact. These approaches process and transform trauma, supporting you in moving beyond symptoms, resolving areas of your life where you feel “stuck,” and thriving in the present.
EMDR
EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.” This counseling modality integrates elements of many effective therapy approaches—including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies—into structured protocols designed to maximize treatment success.
During EMDR, clients focus on past, present, and future experiences while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, sensory tappers, or alternating sounds on earphones). Through this dual focus of attention, people find it possible to process the painful memories of the past, uncover the root of current-day emotional reactions, and create lasting change.
EMDR is especially powerful for people who have experienced trauma – both recent events and childhood experiences. EMDR is also effective in improving performance, building confidence, addressing negative beliefs that stand between you and your ability to achieve your goals.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a focused type of trauma therapy developed by David Grand, Ph.D. Similar to EMDR Therapy, brainspotting is grounded in an understanding of the neurobiological imprint of trauma and the need for tools that address the unconscious impact of trauma, beyond the reach of more cognitive interventions. Brainspotting therapy uses intentionally focused eye movement to support clients in accessing both the felt sense of trauma and their own internal resources (like a calm state). The integration of bilateral sound and the pendulation between these two states helps facilitate trauma processing — in mind and body — and is often found to be gentler than cognitive and exposure-based approaches.
Practitioners
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapy approach, developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, that recognizes and respects the complexity of each person’s inner world. Inner conflict between parts (often recognized as having competing beliefs and desires) is often at the root of anxiety, depression, indecisiveness, and dissatisfaction.
By listening deeply to all parts of self, we can have greater ease in our lives, greater compassion for ourselves, and less distress and reactivity. When we begin to understand our inner conflicts through the lens of IFS and parts, we develop an ability to see our struggles more clearly and with greater compassion.
In couples therapy, this lens leads to deeper understanding about habitual reactions and patterns and, ultimately, greater intimacy and connection.
IFS-Informed EMDR Therapy
IFS-Informed EMDR Therapy combines the relational strength and insight from IFS with the proven efficacy of EMDR for optimal healing. This approach offers a gentle path forward when addressing complex trauma, as it honors protective defenses and offers compassion and respect to your inner system’s innate resilience.
Trauma Art Narrative Therapy
Trauma Art Narrative Therapy (TANT) is a structured, cognitively oriented technique, which uses art as a modality for healing from trauma. Artistic ability is not needed, as spontaneous drawing is most effective.
With trauma, memories are often disconnected and fragmented. TANT pieces together these memories by guiding you to narrate the traumatic event through a series of sequential drawings. The process includes establishing safe points before and after the trauma. As you draw “snapshots” of the experience, your brain integrates the emotional and cognitive components of what happened, and this promotes healing. TANT is effective at addressing minor incidents that triggered a big emotional reaction and/or a negative self-belief, as well as major life events that have had a lasting impact.
Trauma-Informed Relationship Counseling
Relationship counseling provides a safe and supportive space in which ongoing conflicts can be addressed. Couples are invited to get curious about the way their early experiences trigger current reaction patterns. Emotional intimacy is deepened as couples understand each other through this compassionate lens – and learn skills to support one another in staying present and connected. Internal family systems therapy (IFS) provides a supportive framework for untangling from the tugs-of-war that keep you stuck. When appropriate, EMDR therapy can support partners in supporting one another as they process early trauma at the root of reactions.