Rewire and Restore Therapy
Psychotherapy, Trauma Recovery, and Nervous System Healing
What is trauma?
Trauma (PTSD) is a lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event, which overwhelmed the central nervous system, altering the way we process and recall memories and leaving a lasting imprint in how we navigate through life. While symptoms of trauma can vary from person to person, common manifestations may include recurring memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, heightened anxiety or hypervigilance, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, feelings of numbness or detachment, and changes in appetite. Additionally, individuals may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, sweating, or muscle tension. These symptoms can significantly impact daily functioning and overall well-being. It's important for those experiencing trauma symptoms to seek support and professional help for effective coping strategies and healing.
Single event trauma refers to a psychological condition triggered by a distressing event or specific incident, such as a car accident, natural disaster, assault, serious illness, injury, or sudden loss of a loved one. Symptoms of single event trauma can vary widely, but may include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. These symptoms can significantly impact daily life and may persist without proper treatment.
Complex trauma (CPTSD) is a type of psychological injury that results from prolonged exposure to multiple and often interrelated traumatic events and ongoing stress, such as abuse, attachment wounds, neglect, or violence. Unlike single event trauma, which stems from a specific incident, complex trauma can deeply impact an individual's sense of self, relationships, and overall well-being over an extended period. Symptoms may include difficulties with emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, explosive anger, and a pervasive sense of fear or helplessness. Complex trauma can be mistaken for other disorders and may co-occurring with other diagnoses, such as borderline personality disorder, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder and addiction.
Healing from trauma often requires specialized therapy approaches to address the varying layers of distress and compassionately support individuals in their journey towards recovery and resilience. By providing a safe, empathetic, and validating therapeutic environment, individuals affected by trauma can begin to process their experiences, rebuild their sense of safety and trust, and cultivate healthier coping mechanisms for navigating life's challenges.
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness." - Peter Levine
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a versatile and clinically proven approach used in trauma treatment and beyond. Widely utilized in mental health care, EMDR has shown efficacy in addressing a range of psychological challenges, including anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression. This therapeutic method involves a structured eight-phase process, wherein clients revisit distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps. This bilateral stimulation appears to facilitate the brain's natural ability to process information, leading to adaptive resolution of emotional issues. EMDR has been successfully applied to diverse populations and conditions, making it a valuable tool for therapists working with clients dealing with a broad spectrum of psychological and emotional concerns. Its versatility and effectiveness make EMDR a sought-after and respected therapeutic intervention in the field of mental health.
Flash Technique
Flash Technique is an evidence based modality that reprocesses traumatic memories to reduce the psychological disturbance associated with distressing events. Flash Technique was created by an EMDR therapist and offers a minimally intrusive approach that doesn't necessitate the client's conscious engagement with the traumatic memory. This unique feature enables clients to process traumatic memories with minimal distress. Serving as a valuable adjunct to the EMDR preparation phase or as a stand-alone treatment, Flash enables the processing of memories that would otherwise overwhelm or be intolerable to the client. With training in Flash, Advanced Flash and Four Blinks Flash, I specialize in guiding individuals through these powerful techniques to promote healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, dissociation and more.
IFS-Informed "Parts Work"
IFS-informed trauma therapy represents a powerful integration of Internal Family Systems therapy principles into EMDR and Flash Technique frameworks. Internal Family Systems focuses on identifying and harmonizing various aspects of one's inner self, known as "parts." In the context of trauma work, this means acknowledging and addressing the diverse facets of a person's internal system during trauma reprocessing. By incorporating IFS concepts, therapists can navigate the complexities of a client's internal landscape more intentionally. This approach recognizes that different parts may hold distinct emotions and perspectives related to traumatic experiences. By weaving IFS principles into the trauma treatment process, practitioners aim to enhance the therapeutic journey, promoting deeper understanding and integration of these internal aspects, ultimately fostering profound healing and lasting transformation.
EMDR and Trauma Intensives
EMDR intensives offer a condensed and focused therapeutic format, aiming to accelerate the processing and resolution of trauma. Unlike traditional weekly sessions, intensives typically involve longer, concentrated blocks of therapy over a shorter duration, often spanning several consecutive days. This concentrated approach provides clients with an immersive and continuous therapeutic experience, allowing for deeper exploration and processing of traumatic memories. EMDR intensives can be particularly beneficial for individuals seeking more rapid relief from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related conditions. This format allows clients to delve into their experiences with sustained attention, maximizing the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy and potentially expediting the overall healing process.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is an innovative approach to trauma treatment that recognizes the profound connection between the mind and body. Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy focuses on accessing and processing trauma-related memories and emotions through bodily sensations and movements. By gently guiding individuals to tune into their bodily experiences, such as tension, pain, or areas of numbness, somatic therapists help clients release stored trauma energy and restore a sense of safety and regulation. Techniques used in somatic therapy may include mindfulness, breathwork, gentle movement, and body-centered awareness exercises. Through this holistic approach, somatic therapy empowers individuals to reconnect with their innate capacity for healing, promoting lasting recovery and resilience in the face of trauma.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a powerful and evidence-supported modality for individuals living with the effects of trauma, including PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, and depression. Unlike traditional medications that often suppress symptoms, ketamine works differently, facilitating a unique brain state that can promote neuroplasticity, emotional insight, and deep psychological processing. When paired with skilled therapeutic guidance, it can open new pathways to healing that may feel inaccessible through talk therapy alone.
Trauma can disrupt our ability to feel safe, connected, and regulated. KAP helps interrupt these entrenched patterns by softening the inner defenses that have formed in response to overwhelming experiences. In a carefully prepared and supported setting, ketamine can allow clients to access and process painful memories or sensations without becoming overwhelmed, often bringing a sense of spaciousness, clarity, and emotional release.
In my work, I integrate KAP with somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and EMDR to support a whole-person approach to trauma recovery. Preparation and integration are essential components of this work, we create a safe, trauma-informed container before, during, and after each session to help clients make meaning of their experiences and incorporate insights into their everyday lives. For many, KAP becomes a powerful catalyst for reconnection with the self, with the body, and with life itself.