Specialty Trauma Therapy Modalities
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a well researched model of therapy originally created for the treatment of trauma. It works by healing the "old stuff" that got stuck in the brain so it no longer impacts daily living.
EMDR is an 8 phased model of therapy: History Taking and Assessment, Preparation, Target Assessment, Reprocessing, Positive Cognition Installation, Body Scan, Re-evaluation. EMDR is the primary modality used at WSHAZ. Each session you have at WSHAZ is considered an EMDR session because it's about what PHASE of EMDR you are in.
***The EMDR International Association recommends EMDR be facilitated by a therapist who completed an EMDRIA approved EMDR training***
Somatic Psychotherapy
Somatic Psychotherapy focuses on increasing the mind/body connection by connecting with the wisdom of the body and nervous system.
Overwhelming experiences get stuck in the nervous system and create dysregulation. Increasing the mind body connection improves our ability to regulate our nervous system in times of distress.
Somatic Psychotherapy is primarily used in the Preparation, Reprocessing, Positive Cognition Installation, and Body Scan phases of EMDR.
Parts Work
Parts work is a way to resolve internal conflict. We often speak in "parts"; for example, "part of me wants to and part of me does not". Parts work is included in the Preparation phase of EMDR to increase stabilization and prepare for the Reprocessing phase of EMDR.
The method used to facilitate parts work is Frasier's Dissociative Table and is informed by Structural Dissociation Theory.
SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol)
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filtered music.
As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience.
The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.
Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy and EA-EMDR
Equine assisted learning (EAL) and psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted EMDR (EA-EMDR) are offered as stand alone or adjunct services. EAL sessions assist in increasing life skills such as emotional awareness, social skills, problem solving skills, confidence, and building trust and empathy. EA-EMDR sessions assist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, trauma, and dissociation. Learn more
Deep Brain Reorienting
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a new trauma processing therapy emerging out of Glasgow, Scotland and created by pscyhiatrist Frank Corrigan, FRCPsych. The focus of DBR is on accessing and metabolizing deeply stored shock and emotional pain occurring at the brainstem level. DBR is grounded in neuroscience, and works by accessing the core wounding of attachment breaches and the remaining shock and horror of trauma experiences that can block the therapeutic process. DBR is theorized to work "underneath" dissociation, which can make processing possible for those struggling with the effects of complex trauma.