Clinical Terms Defined
Here are some of the tools I use in therapy, feel free to ask questions!
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an 8 phase approach to trauma treatment developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro. EMDR uses a technique called bilateral stimulation (BLS) to process emotionally intense experiences or thoughts. BLS is any movement that crosses the midline of the body, and functions to integrate both hemispheres of the brain. This process occurs naturally all the time, for example our eyes move side-to-side during REM sleep. EMDR therapy can be used to treat nightmares, traumatic memories, anxiety, grief, addiction, and much more!
Somatic Therapies
“Soma” means “body” and somatic therapies refer to body-based modalities. My work is informed by the science of our nervous system, including the mechanisms and impact of the vagus nerve. In session, somatic work may look like body scans, breathing exercises, identifying emotions in the body, co-regulation, and more.
Parts-Work (Internal Family Systems)
“Parts” refers to the numerous aspects of identity that each person has. You might have heard yourself say something like, “part of me wants this and part of me wants something else” – which shows how we speak about parts as different entities that interact with each other. In addition to parts, we all have a true, inner “Self” who’s grounded, calm, curious, and compassionate. Parts-work aims to form relationships with our parts, identify their functions, and communicate with them in ways that promote inner harmony.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT was developed by clinical psychologist Sue Johnson in the 1980s. The therapy is grounded in attachment theory, which describes the importance of a secure bond between infant and caregiver. Research shows that this bond influences the person’s mental health and adult relationships. EFT expands on this idea by highlighting the emotional impact that couples have on each other in conflict, and works to create safety and trust in their dynamic. EFT therapy works to map out the negative cycles that couples find themselves in, identify ways that partners trigger each other and threaten emotional safety, and then build new, healthier interaction patterns.