Trauma-Informed Care
EMDR • Internal Family Systems • Polyvagal Theory
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
– Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals heal from distressing memories and trauma. It works by guiding clients through a process that uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to help the brain process and reframe traumatic experiences.
This allows individuals to reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories and rewire their responses to them. EMDR has been shown to be highly effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related issues.
Through this technique, clients can desensitize themselves to past triggers and regain control over their emotions, leading to greater resilience and emotional healing.
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals explore and heal the different “parts” of themselves that make up their internal world.
Each of us has various parts or subpersonalities, some of which protect us, some carry pain, and others take on different roles to help us navigate life. IFS guides clients in understanding and harmonizing these parts, especially those burdened by trauma, shame, or fear.
The goal is to connect with the core Self—an innately wise, compassionate, and grounded aspect of ourselves that can lead the healing process. By creating a relationship with our parts, we can resolve inner conflicts, heal emotional wounds, and achieve a deeper sense of balance and well-being.
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory is a framework that helps us understand how our nervous system responds to stress, safety, and connection. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, it explains how the vagus nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the body, plays a key role in regulating our physiological states.
According to the theory, our nervous system has three main pathways: the social engagement system (where we feel safe and connected), the fight-or-flight system (activated by danger), and the shutdown or freeze system (triggered by extreme threat). By understanding these states, we can better recognize how our body reacts to stress and trauma.
Polyvagal Theory is often used in trauma therapy to help clients learn to regulate their nervous system, promoting a sense of safety and calm, and fostering more meaningful connections in relationships.
Contact me
You can contact me through this form, or via email, text, or phone. Or if you’re ready to schedule our complimentary intro call, feel free to use the “schedule intro call” buttons.
Jodi.Spencer@iCloud.com
(903)646-2404