Trauma can be defined as any experience that disrupts our lives, strains our ability to cope and profoundly alters our relationships with ourselves, other people and the world. Many events are universally considered traumatic, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse. But trauma is also intensely personal…what may be traumatic for one person, may not be experienced as traumatic for another person.
You may have questioned why the past is still so painful or thought that you should be ‘over it’ by now. But your pain is real, and there are many reasons why you may feel the way you feel. If you did not receive support for what you experienced, or if you’ve dealt with multiple traumas in your life, you may deal with prolonged or recurring distress. Consequently, when you encounter situations, sights, smells or interactions that take you back to when upsetting events first occurred, you may feel flooded with emotions, even years later.
The Healing Tree Psychotherapy provides support for wherever you may be on the continuum of your trauma recovery. EMDR Therapy and Seeking Safety are two evidenced-based practices designed to support you on your healing journey. Your therapist will help you understand your treatment options and support you in deciding what course may be best for you.
You are unique. Your experience is your own. As the expert on your life, your recovery journey is yours to define.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
If you’ve had trouble ‘getting past your past’, you may feel a disconnect between what you know you should believe and how you actually feel about yourself and your life. You may struggle, for example, with feelings of worthlessness while your more logical self tells you that you are enough. You may also know that what happened is not your fault but still wrestle with feelings of guilt and shame.
If you’ve tried moving forward but feel bound by negative beliefs, emotional overwhelm, or even physical distress, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy may help you attain optimal wellness.
Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR Therapy is a ground-breaking trauma treatment approach backed by decades of scientific research. EMDR Therapy can help you go to the point of origin of your emotional pain, clear out past distress and develop a more adaptive way of seeing yourself, paving the way for you to thrive.
Your Healing Tree provider is specially trained through an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)-accredited program to help you identify memories or incidents causing current distress, to utilize tapping or eye movements to activate your brain’s natural trauma recovery system, and to support you in identifying and reinforcing your desired positive beliefs, creating a pathway to a greater sense of wholeness.
For more information about EMDR Therapy, please view the video below.
Video provided courtesy of EMDR International Association
Seeking Safety
If managing your emotions or contending with day-to-day life feels impossible, establishing safety is key. Seeking Safety, a trauma-focused curriculum, may be just what you need to help you get back on solid ground. You will partner with your therapist to grow in your ability to cope in the present moment. There are many topics to choose from, including:
- Healing From Anger
- PTSD: Taking Back Your Power
- Detaching from Emotional Pain
- Self Compassion
If the idea of talking about the past feels overwhelming, Seeking Safety may be for you. You’ll work with your therapist to identify areas of your life where you need the most support, learn about how trauma may be impacting you and consider options for coping in difficult moments, all while you remain grounded in the present.
Regardless of how long you may have suffered, there is hope! Contact us today to discuss options for your care.
Recovery from trauma is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Call 309-322-2020!
The Healing Tree Psychotherapy and Consulting Services, LLC 