People from all different backgrounds experience trauma in a vast array of ways, big and small, but through EMDR there is healing and often post traumatic growth. Post traumatic growth is a concept that describes experiencing positive psychological change as a result of adversity and challenges in order to heal from trauma. This theory, developed in the mid-90s by psychologists Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, shows how those who face traumatic events can see positive growth afterward. In order to achieve and track this level of functioning following a traumatic event, psychol ..read more

A year has passed since we first experienced the impacts of COVID-19. What started as a “two-week quarantine” procedure globally turned into much more over the course of weeks, months, and now years. The effects have been felt collectively by all, but how are our teenagers coping? Teens are Always Adapting Teenagers have had to navigate a slew of unexpected and significant changes since the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020. These changes included social distancing, mask mandates, quarantining from others, personal sickness, loss of loved ones, online schooling, job loss or cut hours, and a dimini ..read more

Each relationship is different, but should it be this hard? You have tried to “open up” with that special someone. You’ve tried time and again to allow them to love you. Thoughts race as each new step in building closeness nears, causing unwanted feelings of anxiety and fear. Relating to others, especially romantically, seems nearly impossible. Trauma and relationships Trauma from your childhood rears its ugly head and you react accordingly — knowing fully that it’s not your significant other’s fault. But you don’t know how to move forward any other way than your fight or flight responses.&nbs ..read more

Queer is beautiful and we celebrate our lives. June is my favorite month of the year. Summer starts, the days are long, and best of all, it is LGBTQ+ pride month! So, break out the rainbow cake, the glitter, the unicorns, and let’s celebrate! There is so so much joy in the LGBTQ+ community. Personally, I am celebrating another year of marriage, all the community that comes with being queer, and getting to live a happy life, relatively free of discrimination. Queer people today enjoy things like a lack of housing discrimination, no job discrimination, gay marriage, being able to legally adopt c ..read more

The term "trauma-informed" is very significant. A trauma-informed therapist understands the dynamic impacts of trauma on a person's distress levels. They also know about and how trauma influences individuals' coping strategies. Every element of care in a trauma-informed approach incorporates a detailed understanding of these dynamics. This also implies that someone claiming to be "trauma-informed" prioritizes the mental and psychological well-being of those they represent. Trauma-informed treatment is more than just a collection of clinical techniques. Instead, it is a way of thinking about ho ..read more

Last month, there were two tragic shootings, one in Boulder, and one in Atlanta. Both of these events left families and communities traumatized. As I write this article, Derek Chauvin is on trial and Daunte White’s family is grieving. There is no shortage of trauma in this world, and I know you know someone who has experienced trauma. Healing trauma does not have to only happen in a therapist’s office. It can also happen in our communities and personal relationships. You can help by first, being trauma-informed, and second, responding well when someone shares their trauma with you. How To Be T ..read more

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been around since the 80s. When people think of EMDR, they usually think of it as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is accurate. EMDR is well researched and highly effective for helping people heal and recover from PTSD. I have had the fortune of utilizing EMDR as a form of treatment for my clients for the past several years. In my experience, EMDR is effective with a wider range of issues than strictly PTSD. EMDR has demonstrated effectiveness in healing from negative experiences as well as enhancing ..read more

Recently, I asked a person in therapy if they had any history of trauma. The examples I gave were bullying, abuse, car accidents, or anything of the sort. She asked me, “What is the difference between trauma and a bad experience?” Great question. Plenty of other people have asked if what they have gone through qualifies as “trauma.” People often think their trauma is “not that bad,” or make comparisons to war veterans. Trauma happens to people from all walks of life and happens in a wide variety of ways, both big and small.  Definition of Trauma Simply put, trauma is when an overwhelming ..read more

After 17 years, I still remember what it felt like to be a newly trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. I was eager, but cautious and more than anything, I didn’t want to do any harm. I felt myself become rigid about how I practiced EMDR therapy. I sat with every form I needed on my lap or spread out around me. I comprehensively reviewed everything I did in session after session. I lived in terror most of the time that I would not follow the protocol correctly, or that I would inadvertently stray from it, thus being in violation of my EMDR therapy training. It ..read more

EMDR therapy, designed to help treat trauma and PTSD symptoms in adults, can offer hope for clients who have struggled with symptoms that interfere with their everyday lives. It is designed specifically to help with trauma and PTSD. However, it may not be an effective coping mechanism for other conditions and illnesses. Further, for those who have PTSD and trauma symptoms, EMDR therapy can be a highly effective way to reprogram your mind and break cycles. Before you go in for your first session, you may wonder what to expect from EMDR treatment and what it will look like over time.  Talk ..read more