Beyond traditional talk therapy, EMDR or CPT are approaches aimed specifically at trauma that could give you the results you have been longing for.
Trauma Therapy in Washington state.
Talking is great, but sometimes you need something a little different
You’ve tried talk therapy and while it does help you feel better, you also feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, negative beliefs, overwhelming emotions, distress, or painful memories. You’ve got lots of tools and skills to help you cope…
But you’re still feeling…
On edge, like something bad might happen. You’re waiting for the “other shoe to drop.”
Experiencing flashbacks, memories, or nightmares.
Like you’re trapped in a cycle of self-doubt or shame; like you’ll never be “good enough”.
You know what happened is in the past, but it still feels real, like it’s still going on here and now not just a memory.
Numb, or the opposite, you’re easily overwhelmed.
Tired of talking and not getting the relief you are seeking.
Like your body is remembering something that your mind would rather forget.
Anxious about your ability to perform, to be creative, or engage in relationships.
EMDR therapy can help you recover from trauma, painful memories, overwhelming emotions, or improve your performance.
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EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We use what is called bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, tapping, or sound while you focus on a memory or a feeling. This helps your brain process experiences in a new, more adaptive way. This helps your nervous system shift from survival mode to healing.
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You will be fully awake and in control all throughout the EMDR process. It is a structured, collaborative process that focuses on your emotional safety at all times. Prior to starting work with bilateral stimulation, we take time to build up a set of tools and skills to help you cope with what might come up during or between sessions.
Our goals is not to relive painful experiences, but to revisit them and help your brain and body do their job to process and heal from those experiences.
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Clients describe EMDR as powerful, clarifying, and providing deep healing.
For more information about EMDR, how it helps, and the research behind it, check out https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
CPT for traumatic events
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CPT if a form of cognitive behavioral therapy used to treat PTSD. It is backed by research and is considered one of the gold-standards in trauma treatment, along with EMDR.
CPT is a structured process of 12 sessions focused on a traumatic event and learning how to reframe negative thoughts and unhelpful beliefs.
Clients who chose CPT are expected to complete “homework” assignments between sessions and may or may not choose to write about the traumatic event.
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CPT is a structure process of 12 sessions. Each session has a specific goal, target, or skill that we work on.
CPT work begins with clients writing an impact statement about how a traumatic event has impacted them and where they may be getting stuck in their recovery from that event.
Clients are expected to complete an assessment before each session to monitor symptoms of PTSD and measure progress. Clients are also expected to complete homework assignments between sessions.
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Both CPT and EMDR have lots of research to back them up as effective treatments for trauma. CPT may be more appealing to clients looking to process a single event such as an accident, combat event, assault, etc. and who may want or need to limit their time in counseling to 12 session.
CPT focuses primarily on thoughts and beliefs, while EMDR targets emotions and body sensations in addition to thoughts and beliefs.
A helpful tool that may help inform your decision can be found at: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/
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All along the way we will be assessing your progress and needs for support. Clients usually see and feel results after 12 sessions for a single traumatic event. If, however, we determine that you may benefit from additional sessions or there are more complex trauma issues to address, we will discuss other options.
Is trauma work the right fit for you?
EMDR & CPT are effective for a number of issues including:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Childhood trauma or abuse
Adverse or abusive religious or spiritual experiences
Anxiety, panic, and phobias
Complicated grief
Traumatic Loss
Low self-esteem and persistent negative beliefs
Distressing memories (from accidents, medical events, loss, etc.)
Performance anxiety or blocks in work, sports, or creativity
Relationship issues
Even if you can’t pinpoint a specific event, EMDR can help when past experiences are impacting your present-day well-being
CPT is an excellent option for singular traumatic events such as accidents, assault, combat experiences, disasters, etc.
Get in touch
Change is possible.
Click this link to set up a day and time for a free, confidential consultation. You will be sent a Zoom link the day before our scheduled consultation. In addition to telling me a bit more about yourself, please feel free to come with any questions you have for me. I look forward to speaking with you.
You don't have to keep reliving the past to heal from it.
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You don't have to keep reliving the past to heal from it. —