Welcome: Trauma focused therapy: EMDR
I am here to listen to your story, and support you in creating a better you!
About me
Jennifer is located in the Elk Lake area of Saanich, just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. She holds a B.A. in Human and Social Development from the University of Victoria, and a Masters and Doctorate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Yorkville University. Jennifer is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) approved by EMDR International Association, and she is trained in advanced protocols for complex post-traumatic stress disorders. Jennifer is a registered clinical counsellor (RCC), and a member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. Most extended health insurance plans accept RCC designated therapists. Jennifer is approved and registered with Crimes Victims Assistance Program.
EMDR
Treatment focus
PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE
Jennifer approaches therapy from a trauma informed perspective because most problems stem from early experiences that influence present emotions, behaviours, and experiences. Anxiety, depression, relational issues, eating disorders, and emotional struggles are suggestive of trauma that originates somewhere in your history. Trauma is not necessarily reserved for those who have experienced terrible accidents, first-responders, or recipients or witnesses of violent acts. On the contrary, trauma is often a result of receiving negative information about ourselves early on from caregivers, or others in our environment. The brain absorbs those messages and begins to form patterns, which leaves you in a constant state of doubt, insecurities, and making choices you regret. Jennifer helps you unravel the complicated stories that reveal where patterns of negative thinking and beliefs started, and how they influence your life in the present and future. Jennifer prefers to use a therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
the difference between EMDR and CBT
HOW do you know emdr works?
EMDR is the most highly studied therapy next to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); however, the success rate and efficacy of EMDR is often higher than CBT. As EMDR therapists, we know EMDR works because studies using MRI scans show once the trauma event is resolved the triggering issues no longer light up in the “fright-flight” region of the brain. EMDR moves trauma from the trigger region of the brain to the memory region where it is not longer disturbing.
the mechanisms of emdr
The process by which EMDR is possible is the use of bilateral eye movement (right-to-left) and/or other kinaesthetic stimulation (taps and tones), which replicates rapid eye movement during the sleep cycle (REM). REM is a period in the sleep cycle where thoughts and memories are reorganized and processed. Similarly, bilateral eye movements provide access to the trauma memories while you are completely awake and conscious of the room; The bilateral allows the client to have one foot in the present and one foot in the past; EMDR therapists call that “dual attention”.
BILATERAL EYE MOVEMENT
Bilateral eye movements do the work for you without having to dig up the details of the actual event that cause the trauma. All you need is to briefly hold an image of the event in your mind, and with bilateral eye movements the brain starts reprocessing those disturbing memories so they can join with adaptive memories that allow you to think more positively about your life events.
What to Expect
Depression & Anxiety
Depression, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms experienced after a traumatic event/s, or the result of constant internal negative beliefs. EMDR treatments aim to alleviate, and most often completely eliminate symptoms connected to trauma.
Trauma & PTSD
Many individuals experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, hopelessness, shame, numbing and zoning out are symptoms that linger post traumatic events. EMDR treatment focuses on the elimination of those symptoms through reprocessing disturbing memories.
More than just a technique
the treatment plan
EMDR is more than a simple tool that is added to a therapeutic orientation. On the contrary, Jennifer is trained by stringent standards created by the EMDR Institute of America. Therefore, Jennifer practices EMDR through a framework that considers specific client needs, types of trauma events, and levels of disfunction and coping. Disfunction, and poor coping most often show up in relational issues, flashbacks and nightmares, anxiety and panic, and misuse of alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, cutting, and other forms of self harm. Those symptoms and behaviours serve to block access to traumatic memories. Jennifer will take a history account of your disturbing life events in addition to administering psychological assessment tools that inform the treatment plan. The treatment plan is based on symptoms, and triggers, and EMDR aims to eliminate each disturbance.
Please take a moment to view the following videos for further information on EMDR: https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY
EMDR theory: https://youtu.be/sWyDWvMEl1E
