Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing is a therapy that processes distressing experiences held within the nervous system so they no longer feel overwhelming, often without needing to talk in detail about past events. Backed by overwhelming scientific research, EMDR functions through working memory taxation, such eye movements + tapping, which facilitates the brain's natural healing mechanism to process stored trauma. While most often associated with PTSD, EMDR is also effective for issues ranging from phobias to unresolved grief. A key component of EMDR is targeting memories that feed negative self-beliefs, which is often a component of many issues.
We all have parts. Some parts may hold pain from past stressful or traumatic experiences, while others work hard to protect you from being overwhelmed. Parts work is a gentle, trauma-informed approach that helps you understand and heal the different parts of yourself. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult feelings or reactions, parts work helps you relate to these parts with compassion and curiosity, supporting healing from trauma, and creating greater balance and self-understanding.
Complex trauma, PTSD, and chronic stress can cause the nervous system to get stuck in survival states, such as chronic anxiety and depression, as well as emotional numbing or intense emotional activation. Polyvagal Theory helps us to be nervous system-informed when selecting ways to approach your trauma healing. As this stored stress is processed, it becomes easier for your nervous system to regulate back to homeostasis (ventral vagal state), where you feel more grounded, connected, and present in daily life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a practical, structured approach that provides skills to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are connected. It focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and habits that may be contributing to distress. By learning new ways to think and respond, CBT can help reduce anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, while building healthier coping skills for everyday life. For best results, CBT skills are often taught after any trauma/distress has first been processed, if it's still needed.
