Trauma Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop following life-threatening events such as natural disasters, motor vehicle accidents, assaults, or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect. These events can either be experienced or witnessed, and are not limited to the examples given.  People who suffer from PTSD may relive the experience through nightmares, body memories, or flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached. These symptoms can significantly impair the person's daily life. Treatment I Provide Psychotherapy addresses the emotional conflicts caused by the trauma.  By experiencing a safe and secure space to retell the traumatic event(s), the client can develop improved ways of coping with intense emotions and achieve greater self-esteem.  Having experiences and emotions truly heard and validated, identifying potential triggers for trauma responses, and learning new ways to cope all occur in the psychotherapy process. In addition to or in place of general psychotherapy, it has been my experience that EMDR is another highly effective practice for processing trauma. .  EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing is an innovative treatment for trauma identified in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, PhD.  EMDR first was tested with Viet Nam veterans and rape survivors. EMDR makes use of the fact that the brain has two sides (or hemispheres).  Each side of the brain provides a different style of processing information.  It is as if one side always sees the whole forest, while the other focuses on the separate trees. The problem in recovering from trauma is that trauma tends to be remembered in one big lump, instead of being stored in smaller bits and pieces.  EMDR uses the brain's two kinds of information processing to "digest" traumatic experiences and memories. What to expect with EMDR EMDR starts with several questions to engage visual, mental, emotional and physical awareness.  The intensity of sensations is rated to assess change as it occurs and a specific item is identified as the starting point.  Then the mind finds its own path out of the trauma, supported by the bilateral stimulation that encourages activity on both sides of the brain during the trauma processing. The bilateral stimulation often occurs through "eye movements," but also can be accomplished with hand or knee taps. The goals of EMDR are to decrease negative sensations and to increase, reinforce and enhance positive sensations.  Results often include significant decreases in emotional and physical distress along with increased health and contentment. Who Should Consider EMDR? If you have experienced past abuse, have recurrent nightmares, or struggle to live in the present, EMDR could be very helpful for you. EMDR is effective for: Disturbing memories Accident recovery Recurrent nightmares Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Anxiety reduction Phobias Abuse survivors Other trauma survivors     For more information on EMDR, you can visit the EMDR Institute website. The PTSD Alliance has more information on the disorder and a helpful "myths and facts" sheet for those who feel misunderstood and alone. If you are interested in beginning psychotherapy or EMDR with me, or if you have any other questions, you are welcome to contact me.