Trauma lives inside our bodies. It’s how our body and brain reacts to a single event or multiple events that leave us in distress during the present.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a potent and powerful tool used to find the root of a problem which allows the brain to naturally resolve the issue. It’s different than traditional talk therapy that may focus on working with thoughts, behaviours or symptoms.
What is EMDR?
The following is an excerpt from emdria.org:
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.”
EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). EMDR therapy has even been superior to Prozac in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that, since 2016: More than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries.
We work with people who have experienced all types of trauma. From childhood trauma, sexual trauma, birth trauma, and those in service/helping roles experiencing vicarious trauma.
Birth Trauma
Birth trauma is subjective, it’s anything that was distressing, an accumulation of situations, of lack of emotional or physical safety throughout the perinatal journey.
Simply, it’s anything you were unable to process during the sacred time of preconception to experiences directly after birth. The way you were made to feel, how your were supported (or lack thereof,) unexpected outcomes, medical issues, grief/loss, racism, ageism, an unsuccessful IVF cycle and beyond.
Vicarious Trauma
It’s all part of the job. Holding space and witnessing others traumas while in service. Headaches, anger, avoidance, intrusive memories or flashback images, loss of trust or loss of empathy are all common signs of vicarious trauma.
Vicarious trauma can lead to burnout and it’s a real challenge that can leave you feeling confused, worried about making mistakes, avoiding conversations and beyond. But, those symptoms don’t need to be for life. Reprocessing and desensitizing distressing experiences on a regular basis is preventative, similar to maintaining your vehicle.
If you’re a midwife, medicine man or woman, nurse, OB, doula or in any other area of service, I’d be honoured to support you.
Relational Trauma or Neglect
Relational trauma and neglect is likely one of the most misunderstood types of trauma. Especially by those who have experienced it. It happens within close interpersonal relationships; often between child and care giver.
No one comes out of childhood unscathed and until we work through the impact and effects of those relationships we often replay them over and over in our adult years.
This type of trauma can be covert in the sense that “that’s just how parenting was at the time” or overt, such as abuse, neglect, abandonment, enmeshment, or being forced into emotional adult roles too soon. It is often an immersion and on-going experience/pattern within families opposed to a single incident or event.
If you’ve experienced any of the above, I’d be honoured to hold space for you.
“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with the innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe that trauma is not only curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening - a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation.” - Peter Levine
“Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Sexual Violence
Phobias
OCD
Performance Anxiety
Chronic pain
PTSD
Addictions
And other distressing life experiences”
- EMDRIA