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)

Created by Stephen Porges' and rooted in his Polyvagal Theory, SSP is an evidenced based acoustic therapy designed to increase and organize the brain-body connection, allowing us to process the world around us more effectively and resulting in feeling more confident, happy, and socially engaged. It is an effective adjunct therapy for those with anxiety, trauma, PTSD, emotion regulation difficulty, and sensory processing issues to name a few. SSP can be integrated in to the Preparation Phase of EMDR therapy. We also offer SSP as a stand alone, adjunct treatment to clients who see therapists outside WSHAZ. More information on SSP can be found here.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning

Equine assisted psychotherapy and equine assisted learning (EAP/EAL) are offered as stand alone or adjunct services. EAL and EAP sessions assist in increasing emotional awareness, social skills, problem solving skills, confidence, and building trust and empathy. EAP sessions also assist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, trauma, and dissociation. Learn more

Additional Therapy Modalities

More traditional therapy modalities are also included throughout the course of treatment to address symptoms related to anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, etc. A person centered and strengths based approach is used and principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Health at Every Size (HAES), and the principles from Intuitive Eating are foundational pieces included in the therapeutic process.