Trauma & EMDR

What is Trauma?

Trauma is the response to a distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope, and diminishes their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), is a well researched approach for treating trauma. It works by targeting the information processing system in our brain. It allows us to work with trauma that has become stuck in the nervous system and adaptively process it. EMDR uses sound, tapping, or eye movement to mimic a specific stage of sleep called REM sleep. During REM sleep, our brain is processing information and creating neural pathways. By mimicking REM sleep, trauma can be processed through the nervous system adaptively creating less psychological distress for the client.

What are common responses to trauma?

Response to a traumatic event varies significantly among people, however there are some basic symptoms of trauma that are common;

Shame, sadness, anger, fear

Emotional outbursts

Changes to sleep patterns

Nightmares

Nausea, headaches, gastrointestinal problems

Anxiety, depression, substance use problems

How does trauma affect us?

Traumatic events activate the amygdala, a structure in the brain responsible for detecting threats. It responds by sending out an alarm to multiple body systems to prepare for defense. We also call this our fight-flight-or-freeze response. In the moment, the different alarms your system is receiving are really important. Over time though, being in a chronic state of alarm is not good for you. Your chronic alarm will effect you psychologically, physically, emotionally, or socially.

How Can We Help You?

#750 999 8 Street S.W., Calgary AB, T2R 1J5