Trauma Therapy

Trauma comes in many shapes and forms, but at its core, it impacts your self-worth, how you feel in your body, the way you function in the world, and how you react to different situations and relationships. Shattered trust and feelings of unsafety— whether caused by abuse, neglect, or emotional unavailability of a partner or caregiver early in life— can negatively impact brain structure and function, but through dedicated and diligent trauma treatment, clients can accomplish healing neural networks and a settling of their nervous system.

Trauma treatment at Restoring Clarity Counseling includes:

A holistic framework for understanding and working with trauma from mind-body-centered perspectives utilizing EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems modalities
Providing tools for emotional regulation and release offered by various somatic therapy practices in relation to working with trauma
Releasing trauma response patterns that have previously been inescapable
Letting go of the pain of the past in pursuit of your true self
Unearthing personal narratives and connecting to the emotional and somatic experiences that shape them
Positive change in self-perception and self-worth
Better understanding of your attachment patterns and development history
Insight into underlying processes contributing to current behaviors and emotional experiences
Insight into how trauma has informed your life and increased capacity for change
Explore a unified approach to trauma-informed care: including a deeper understanding of the body’s relationship with social, environmental, developmental, relational, spiritual, and cultural wounding and healing

REMEDY THE TRAUMA

EMDR Therapy

Negative life experiences can interfere with the brain’s natural processing capabilities. Depending on the nature of this experience, the developmental stage of the person impacted at the time of trauma, and the support available at the time, some experiences are not as easily recoverable as others, which creates psychological distress symptoms.

However, due to the neuroplasticity (a.k.a malleable nature) of the brain, if these events can finally be fully processed, healing can begin to take place. EMDR therapy is a means of achieving this. With stimulating eye movements, similar to the ones that occur during REM sleep, the brain taps into its natural rejuvenating and restorative state. When these eye movements occur, the brain processes information in a healthy and adaptive manner, which is why deep sleep is so good for your brain. In short, EMDR therapy can stimulate this same mechanism in the brain while an individual is awake, enabling the brain to follow its innate processes towards healing and control.

Note: EMDR therapy is not hypnosis; therefore, clients remain in complete control and awareness during therapy sessions with me.

Learn more about emdr therapy

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine, resulting from his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices and medical biophysics. SE releases traumatic shock (freeze) and supports the body’s natural ability to regulate itself, which is key to transforming PTSD, chronic stress and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma.

Somatic Experiencing facilitates the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms, which can result in subtle or more intense experiences as the body discharges. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations, impulses, movements, triggers and suppressed emotions, so as to not get overwhelmed. SE employs awareness of body sensation to help people “renegotiate” and heal rather than relive or re-enact trauma. SE’s guidance of the bodily “felt sense,” allows the highly aroused or frozen survival energies to be safely experienced and gradually discharged. SE “titrates” your experience (breaks it down into small, incremental steps) so that you can remain embodied and present, rather than evoking a mindless catharsis or becoming flooded.

SE does not require you to re-tell or re-live the traumatic event, which is helpful in the case of pre-verbal trauma. However, working through the trauma narrative can be done more safely using SE, as it works more gradually to build capacity and resilience than typical prolonged exposure techniques. SE offers the opportunity to engage, complete, and resolve—in a slow and supported way—the body’s instinctual fight, flight, freeze, and collapse responses. Individuals locked in anxiety or rage then relax into a growing sense of peace and safety. Those stuck in depression gradually find their feelings of hopelessness and numbness transformed into empowerment, triumph, and mastery. SE catalyzes corrective bodily experiences that contradict those of fear and helplessness and seeks to restore a sense of aliveness and pleasure. This resets the nervous system, restores inner balance, enhances resilience to stress, and increases people’s vitality, equanimity, and capacity to actively engage in life.

Stored physiology of traumatic events can cause the following symptoms:

Hyperarousal (difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, racing thoughts, etc.)
Hyper vigilance a.k.a. being on guard 24/7
Intrusive imagery and flashbacks
Hyperactivity and restlessness
Startled responses to sudden movements or loud noises
Feelings of helplessness and depression
Abrupt mood swings
Difficulty sleeping
Panic attacks
Excessive anger

Somatic experiencing is a therapeutic approach that explores how the body responded at the time of the traumatic event (fight, flight, or freeze), along with the associated energy and cognitions that have remained trapped in trauma time. For example, if someone tried to attack you, you would likely experience a physiological flight response— attempting to flee, going into complete shock, your body being paralyzed in fear, etc. All of these responses are instinctual and not chosen by the affected person, so this energy can often get trapped in the nervous system, causing the body to relive the physiological experience of the trauma over and over again. Ultimately, somatic experiencing seeks to release you of these stored physiological responses so you can heal and thrive again.

Learn More About Somatic Experiencing

Internal Family Systems Therapy

Internal Family Systems therapy is a non-pathologizing approach to psychotherapy. It emphasizes the natural multiplicity of the mind. Internal Family Systems is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on a client’s internal “parts” and “Self.” In IFS, the mind is considered to be naturally made up of multiple aspects, parts, or sub-personalities or families within each individual’s mental system. These sub-personalities take on different roles, such as protective parts of the personality for example an inner critic or an inner child part of the personality that may hold wounds and painful feelings like shame. The goal of IFS is to help clients access their core Self so that they can heal wounded parts and bring their minds into balance. IFS is an evidence-based practice used to treat a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

Learn More About Internal Family Systems Therapy

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative and rapidly evolving treatment that combines the effects of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, with the supportive framework of psychotherapy. This approach has shown remarkable promise in treating a variety of mental health conditions, particularly those resistant to traditional treatments. Understanding its origins, development, and potential benefits is crucial for anyone considering this treatment.

Understanding Ketamine

Ketamine, initially developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic, has found new applications in the realm of mental health. Its unique properties allow it to act on NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to rapid antidepressant effects. Ketamine is legal for medical use under strict regulations and has a well-documented safety profile when administered correctly.

The Science Behind Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

The efficacy of KAP lies in its ability to induce neuroplasticity – the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process is essential for overcoming the rigid thought patterns often seen in depression and anxiety. Research studies have consistently demonstrated ketamine’s ability to reduce symptoms quickly, making it a valuable tool in the therapeutic arsenal.

Enhanced Therapeutic Engagement

Ketamine’s psychoactive properties can facilitate a deeper level of introspection and emotional openness, enhancing the therapeutic process. During a ketamine session, clients often report experiencing a sense of detachment from their usual thought patterns and emotional states. This dissociative effect can help clients access difficult memories or emotions, allowing for more effective processing of traumatic experiences. Furthermore, the altered state of consciousness induced by ketamine can enable patients to gain new perspectives on their lives and problems, fostering a sense of hope and possibility which can facilitate new insights into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

How Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Works

How Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions Work

Consultation:

I will get a sense of your therapeutic goals, needs, expectations, current coping resources, answer any questions you may have, and collaborate and obtain additional information for your current psychotherapist. You will complete a brief pre-screening to determine eligibility.

Intake & Assessment:

Before a KAP session, clients will undergo a thorough medical evaluation and psychological assessment to determine their suitability for the treatment. This includes a review of their medical history, current medications, and psychological status.

Preparation Sessions:

Preparation therapy sessions are an essential component of the KAP therapeutic process. They help individuals mentally and emotionally prepare for the profound experiences facilitated by ketamine. This preparation is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic benefits and ensuring a safe and meaningful journey. Mental preparation involves mindfulness practices, meditation, and setting intentions. It also includes addressing any fears or anxieties about the upcoming experience.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions:

Next, we’ll go through 3-6 Ketamine Assisted Sessions, each of which includes setting your hopes and intentions, guided meditations and relaxation exercises, and invocation, in addition to the guided journey. We will do some gentle integration of your experience directly after.

Integration Sessions:

Integration is the process of making sense of the psychedelic experience and applying the insights gained to everyday life. It is a crucial step for ensuring lasting therapeutic benefits.

Methods of Integration

Methods of integration include follow-up therapy sessions, journaling, mindfulness practices, and integration groups. These methods help individuals process their experiences and incorporate them into their lives.

Conditions Treated with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

KAP is particularly effective in treating:

• Depression: Especially treatment-resistant forms.
• Anxiety: Including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety.
• PTSD: Offering relief from severe symptoms and trauma.

Who Can Benefit from Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

KAP is suitable for individuals who meet specific criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

KAP has been shown to be a highly effective supplement to regular therapy. Candidates must already be working with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist in addition to this treatment.
KAP is contraindicated for individuals who are pregnant or nursing
KAP is contraindicated for individuals who have poorly controlled or untreated hypertension, cardiovascular problems, hyperthyroidism, severe sleep apnea or respiratory disease
KAP is contraindicated for individuals who have a BMI of >30
KAP is contraindicated for individuals who a history or seizures / epilepsy
KAP is contraindicated for individuals who have Parkinson’s
KAP is contraindicated for individuals that have had a recent traumatic brain injury (TBI)
KAP is not a good choice for individuals who have experienced an acute manic, hypomanic, psychotic episode, or have been diagnosed with schizophrenia
KAP is not a good choice for individuals who are allergic to ketamine
If you have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, personality disorder or a panic disorder: KAP may not be a helpful option for you depending on the severity of symptoms. You will be required to complete an additional assessment and close collaboration and recommendation from your therapist and psychiatrist is required.

Learn More About Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by overwhelming feelings of tension, fear, and frequent worrying. People who struggle with anxiety typically experience recurrent intrusive thoughts or avoid certain situations that might result in physical symptoms (sweating, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, etc.)

Restoring Clarity Counseling seeks to remedy anxiety by viewing it through the lens of a preoccupation with the past— “I can’t believe I did that” or “I failed back then”— or the unforeseeable future. In every attempt to view life through the lens of the present again, I help you examine how your thinking impacts your mood and shapes your behaviors. Together, you will practice strategies to refocus the mind in order to be calm and root yourself in a given moment, as well as experimental exercises of grounding and centering to locate peace of mind and body. These containment skills will allow you to separate yourself from the anxiety you are experiencing and no longer be controlled by it.

Through the use of somatic experiencing, this body-based anxiety will be released from wherever it remains trapped.