Our Integrated, Trauma-Informed Approach to Therapy
At Psychiatric Wellness, we are committed to providing compassionate and effective care for those who have experienced trauma and other mental health problems. Our providers specialize in a holistic approach that goes beyond addressing symptoms, helping you understand and heal from the root causes of your distress. We integrate evidence-based therapies to create a personalized treatment plan for your unique journey.
EMDR Therapy: Healing the Past, Present, and Future
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a highly-researched and globally recognized psychotherapy method designed to help individuals heal from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences.
When a traumatic event occurs, the brain can sometimes fail to process the memory correctly. This can leave the memory “stuck” in a raw state, causing you to re-experience the associated thoughts, feelings, and sensations as if they are happening in the present. This is why trauma can lead to symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, and emotional dysregulation.
During an EMDR session, your therapist will guide you through a gentle process of bilateral stimulation (often in the form of eye movements, taps, or sounds) while you briefly focus on the traumatic memory. This bilateral stimulation helps your brain re-process the memory, allowing it to move from a “stuck” state to a more resolved one. The goal is to reduce the emotional charge and distress associated with the memory, helping you feel relief and find a sense of peace.
EMDR does not erase the memory, but it changes how you experience it, allowing you to recall the event without the overwhelming emotional and physical reactions. The result is often a profound and lasting shift in how you view the experience and yourself.
Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Emotional Regulation
Healing from trauma requires building a sense of safety within your own body and mind. This is why we often begin our work by incorporating mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. These practices are essential for developing the skills to manage intense emotions, regulate your nervous system, and build a sense of calm and stability.
Mindfulness teaches you how to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, creating space between you and your emotional responses. This foundational work helps you feel more grounded and in control, which is a critical step before processing difficult traumatic memories. It helps prepare the mind and body for the deeper work of EMDR.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Alongside our other modalities, we utilize principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a practical, goal-oriented therapy that helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to your distress. By working together to challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop more adaptive coping skills, we help you gain a clearer perspective and build resilience.
CBT is a powerful tool for addressing the conscious thoughts and behaviors that arise from past experiences, complementing the deeper processing that occurs in EMDR.
By combining these therapeutic approaches, our therapists are able to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that addresses your immediate needs while also facilitating deep, lasting healing from the effects of trauma.
We offer one on one therapy to help improve anxiety and heal from trauma. Please click on this link more information on each provider and what types of therapy they offer
