MODALITIES AND PHILOSOPHY
Introduction
I use traditional insight oriented talking therapy combined with more cutting edge Body and Energy therapies, along with what is called “mindfulness,” which is an immediate awareness of the present moment. I do not use touch in my work.
Modalities might include:
- Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
- Eyemovement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
The Neurobiology of Trauma
“Neurobiology of Trauma” refers to the effects of trauma in the brain, body, on brain and emotional development, and on the Autonomic Nervous System.
We are discovering that therapy is not as effective if a person’s nervous system is in a hyper or hypo aroused state. Many people who have experienced trauma can develop a set of responses to other non-traumatic events that are due to this hyper or hypo arousal of the nervous system, which can happen as a result of a one time event or from ongoing chronic trauma.
If someone is in one of these states, I have found it helpful to slow everything down and teach the person to regulate their nervous system so that they can make better use of therapy. Attempts to self regulate that don't work as coping strategies are the addictions, and of course the problem with this is that the person has no skills to self regulate on their own, and gets dependent on the addiction to help them.
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Interpersonal Neurobiology is the study of relationship and how it shapes our early brain and emotional development. With optimal attunement from a caring person, our brain will develop normally and we learn to regulate ourselves emotionally.
If there has been neglect, chaos, a parent who is overworked, overstressed, addicted, depressed, immature, etc, the chances of this happening are less so: a dis-regulated parent will probably produce a dis-regulated child.
The good news is, there are other places for brain development and emotional regulation to occur, assuming the damage was not extensive. This can happen with caring others: neighbors, relatives, teachers and later in life, through our friends, spiritual community, and finally, therapists. The act of sitting with a “good-enough” therapist, who is attuned or tries to be, can help to regulate emotions. It can actually contribute to helping people feel safe enough to take emotional risks, which has the potential to be very healing. This notion is at the heart of my work with people.
The therapist, like any of us, may not be perfectly attuned. Problems that come up in the therapeutic relationship can be experienced as an attachment wound or rupture, which is very painful (as in any relationship). The healing potential in these ruptures is enormous, as long as there is willingness to work through any problems that come up, and the patient feels that the attempt is being made to repair and understand.
The goal of this kind of work is not to create a needy, dependent attachment on the therapist, but rather a healthy sense of resilience within one’s self.