EMDR
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which is stimulation of the right and the left hemispheres of the brain through the use of back and forth eye movements or tapping one side of the body, then the next.
It is believed that events, when perceived as traumatic, get stored in fragments in the limbic system in the right side of the brain as a protective measure. When we perceive a “similar” threat, our brains react with the same level of intensity as the original trauma. This no doubt came in handy when we were hunters.
Unfortunately, our nervous system can’t decipher the difference between the new perceived threat and the original one, often causing us to over-react or avoid situations altogether.
EMDR allows the memory to be processed into normal memory, which involves the left side of the brain. Our reprocessed memories, when recalled, no longer trigger upsetting feelings and sensations.
EMDR has shown to be effective in dealing with relational stress as well as PTSD.
TRAUMA RESILIENCY MODEL (TRM)
TRM is a body-based therapeutic technique that allows the nervous system to re-balance itself after traumatic events. TRM employs a number of skills that therapists can train clients to do on their own.
Traumatic incidents often occur when we feel helpless. These include but are by no means limited to children who suffer abuse, people in auto accidents, and victims of violence (including soldiers).
Techniques such as resourcing and grounding are put in place to ensure the nervous system remains in a resilient zone, not too over or under aroused. Through the use of tracking, or focusing on the body’s sensations, the nervous system releases energy that got trapped in it at the time of trauma. Release can feel like heat, tingling and other body sensations. The nervous system will re-balance afterwards.
BRAINSPOTTING
The midbrain serves many roles, including receiving and integrating sensory information, particularly visual and auditory input.
Brainspotting uses the client’s visual field to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical emotional and body-based parts of the midbrain.
A brainspot is an eye position that allows for a deeper level of activation of a traumatic memory or emotion by bypassing the neocortical thinking part of the brain.
This supports the resolution of painful or traumatic experiences.