What is Trauma?
Trauma can result from overwhelming events or from everyday stressors that one might
not even realize is causing distress. Examples of trauma include accidents, physical injuries, medical procedures, assault, abuse, combat, or even natural disasters. Daily events such as job stress, relationship conflicts or witnessing an unpleasant event can bring about traumatic symptoms.
Trauma can be disguised as anxiety, phobias, depression, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, headaches, or physical pain. Sometimes these symptoms may not surface for months or even years after an event and cause emotional and physical suffering.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is a therapeutic technique that helps people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, disturbing memories, post traumatic stress and many other emotional problems. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are "trapped" in the nervous system.
This assists the neurophysiological system, the basis of the mind/body connection, to free itself of blockades and reorganize itself to healing. As troubling images and feelings are processed by the brain via the eye-movement patterns of EMDR, resolution of issues and a more peaceful state is achieved.
Resources to learn about EMDR
* What is EMDR? Learn the basics
* What is an actual EMDR session like? Learn the 8 phases of treatment
* Introductory video about EMDR
* EMDR experts explain the benefits of EMDR
* EMDR patients share their stories
* An EMDR therapist shares her EMDR experience
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic Experiencing is an approach to healing that focuses on a person's body sensations (or somatic experiences) in addition to thoughts and emotions. In an SE session, the therapist brings one's attention to physical responses such as heart rate, breathing and tension patterns. Working with one's physical sensations the therapist will help the client with techniques to allow the nervous system to self-regulate and shift from physical discomfort to an overall sense of peace and well being.
During trauma the nervous system will shift into a defensive pattern of fight, flight or freeze. If the body is not able to recover after the event, tension patterns will get trapped in one's body causing discomfort. SE techniques are used to allow the mind, body and spirit to regulate to a state of calm, balance and reorganization. For more information go to www.traumahealing.org
(949) 433-8949
Trauma
Patricia Zielinski M.A., LMFT
Licensed Marriage &Family Therapist/Certified EMDR Therapist
(949) 433-8949
Phone: (949) 433-8949 / Email: therapy@patriciazielinski.com
26431 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite 260
Mission Viejo, CA 92691