Healing Trauma & PTSD

As we go through life we all encounter difficult and challenging experiences. Sometimes these experiences are scary and painful, and may leave a residue in our mind, body or soul. This residue is trauma. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as…

…an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, [war and combat experiences, child abuse or neglect,] rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives.

Other forms of trauma can be the accumulation of microagressions, particularly toward oppressed and minority groups. Some examples of this are repeated and continual exposure to racism, homophobia, mysogyny, xenophobia, and many more.

Working through and resolving trauma can be challenging and difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Finding the right therapist to help you work through it can be one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.

There are a variety of ways to work through and resolve trauma, and they all begin with building trust, safety and cultivating self-care resources. Working with trauma through the mind and body together has proven to be the most effective, according to studies. Some of the ways I work with trauma are with mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), NeuroAffective Touch (NAT), Hakomi, hypnotherapy and EMDR.

NeuroAffective Touch (NAT)

“NAT integrates the key elements of somatic psychotherapy, attachment and developmental theory, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and affective and interpersonal neurobiology.”

This modality is very effective in helping the nervous system and body to find more calm, which in turn allows the brain and heart to follow. When these parts feel this support, the whole person begins to feel more safety to allow the trauma to unfold and unravel.

For more information about NAT visit the website here.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an information processing therapy. It attends to the past experiences that have set the groundwork for traumatic symptoms, the current situations that trigger painful emotions, beliefs and sensations, and the positive experience needed to enhance future adaptive behaviors and mental health.

For more information about EMDR Therapy and research on it’s effectiveness, visit the EMDRIA website.

If you’re curious about how NAT, EMDR Therapy or other therapies might be able to help you resolve trauma, please contact Nick or call for a free phone consultation: 415-766-9629