As a therapist who has walked alongside countless individuals struggling with the aftermath of trauma, I’ve seen firsthand how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can hijack a person’s life. So, how does this seemingly unconventional therapy (EMDR) work to alleviate the profound distress of PTSD?

To understand how EMDR therapy works for complex trauma, we must first grasp its underlying theory: the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model posits that the brain naturally processes information and moves towards mental health. When a traumatic event occurs, particularly repeated ones, this natural processing system can get overwhelmed, and the memories become “stuck” or maladaptively stored.

Trauma affects the nervous system by triggering the body’s stress response leading to states of hyperarousal and physical/emotional dysregulation. This leads to us feeling completely flooded or overwhelmed and not being able to think logically. Parasympathetic breathing can help re-regulate your body, bring your logical thinking back online, and help you feel more in control.

When we encounter someone who is suffering, our inclination can often times be to meet with with encouragement or positive thinking. The problem is, this often times makes things worse for the person on the receiving end. Here’s a helpful two step process that can help in aiding you to connect with someone experiencing trauma.

Individuals grappling with Attachment Trauma often encounter challenges in forming and sustaining interpersonal connections. This trauma, rooted in early development, often reveals its actual impact in adulthood.

There’s a lot of talk about trauma in today’s society. But what really is trauma and how does it happen?

Trauma can make it seem like things will never get better. But healing is well within your reach. However, this process takes time and patience. You’ll want to find trusted people you can turn to for help. Here’s how to start down the path of healing from trauma.

Chronic pain is debilitating. It comes out of nowhere and shatters your existence. I would know, because I live with a chronic illness. In 2007, my world fell apart when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The diagnosis ripped apart everything I had ever known.

So much of trauma is what happens after the event is over. Trauma rewires your brain, and it can make it difficult to understand or explain what you experienced.