Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress
Many people are concerned about going to counselling to address historical trauma for fear that talking about it can make the symptoms worse. This is a valid concern. The old model of having to fall apart in order to heal has been proven wrong. Digging up the past can cause re-traumatisation and it is the therapists job to ensure that the whole counselling journey increases a person's experience of resiliency and strength. All counselling, even when its about very terrible life events, should leave clients feeling strong, capable and safe throughout the counselling journey. Careful attention to regulating anxiety levels throughout therapy can ensure that the process of healing past trauma can be a very positive and safe experience. We do not have to fall apart in order to get better, but rather can resolve trauma from a base of strength and resilience.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, EMDR, Somatic Experience
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) developed by Peter Levine is a gentle, body-awareness approach to trauma therapy that helps individuals process and release the physical and emotional effects of stress and trauma. Rooted in the understanding that trauma is stored in the body, SE uses awareness of bodily sensations to support healing and restore a sense of balance. By working with the body's natural rhythms and innate ability to heal, this method allows clients to move through and resolve overwhelming experiences without re-living them. Benefits of Somatic Experiencing in counseling include reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, greater resilience, and a deeper connection to oneself, fostering lasting well-being and empowerment.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) developed by Laney Rosenzweig is an innovative, evidence-based approach to trauma therapy that combines the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with guided visualization techniques. ART uses rapid eye movements to help clients process distressing memories and replace them with more positive images, fostering resolution without the need to relive traumatic events in detail. This approach is effective in addressing a wide range of issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. Clients often experience noticeable relief within a few sessions, gaining a renewed sense of calm, emotional clarity, and the ability to move forward with confidence.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached by email at sandymaclean@gmail.com or phone at 250-509-1092. I offer a free 20-minute initial meeting to help you get a sense of the process and my fit for you.
“The soul has been given its own ears to hear things that the mind does not understand.”