Specialities
Addictions
An Addiction is a condition that results when a person uses a substance (e.g., alcohol, heroin, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that is initially a positive, pleasurable experience but with continued use becomes compulsive, interfering with daily life responsibilities and functioning. We have found EMDR/Brainspotting is highly effective the underlying psychological causes of addiction, targeting the “positive link” that was initially connected to the addictive behavior and replacing with alternative coping skills. We understand the alcohol/drug addiction is a biological, psychological and social disease. We support the 12 step program as well as alternative means of support.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry. Individuals suffering from anxiety often expect the worst even when there is no apparent reason. This anxiety is often a result of unresolved past incident(s). A person wants to stop worrying but can’t seem to help it. EMDR/Brainspotting is a highly effective way, of targeting the sources of anxiety and allowing the person to address and resolve the original sources of anxiety.
Anxiety
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders are an unhealthy relationship with food/weight that interferes with an individual’s daily functioning. Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. We believe that eating disorders is an individual’s way of coping with unresolved childhood trauma or disturbing incidents that haven’t been processed. EMDR/Brainspotting provides a unique way in bypassing the conscious brain and accessing the unconscious. Depending on the severity of the eating disorder determines the level of additional outside support which can include conferring with your primary care doctor, dietitian and family. Early diagnosis and intervention may enhance recovery.
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur after a traumatic event but can also occur after a series of disturbing incidents (cumulative effect) and can sometimes occur years later. Some common signs of PTSD include a avoidance of talking/thinking about the traumatic event(s), flashbacks or disturbing dreams/nightmares, insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling triggered (emotionally or physically) by something that reminds you of the event(s). PTSD can negatively impact thoughts and mood which include a sense of numbness or being unable to feel positive emotions about yourself or others, feeling detached from family and friends and a lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed. PTSD can change emotional and physical reactions which include being “on guard”-hypervigilant, increased anger, rage or aggressive behaviors, self-destructive behaviors (driving too fast, increased use of alcohol or other substances), feeling overwhelming guilt, shame, anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating.
Phobias
A phobia is an out of proportion fear to a specific object or situation. Phobias can include fear of animals, heights, thunder, injection injury, dental, flight, enclosed spaces, choking/vomiting as well as others. EMDR can either target the genesis of the fear, target additional times when the symptoms grew worst, or address anticipatory fear (worry of what could happen).
Trauma
Seventy percent of the time we work through disturbing events or traumatic experiences on our own. It might take a couple of days, a week, or months. However, thirty percent of the time, we are unable to process what happened. Utilizing EMDR/Brainspotting, an individual is able to process the “stuck or “frozen” material of the incident resulting in an alleviation of symptoms. The individual is able to integrate the disturbing memories in a more adaptive, new way.