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Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) can be difficult to explain because much of the work happens beneath conscious awareness. Clients may notice changes in sensations, emotions, images, or body responses that can be hard to put into words. One way to understand [...]

Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR®) combines EMDR therapy with low-dose sublingual ketamine to offer another approach to trauma healing. When You’ve Done the Work but Still Feel Stuck “I’ve done the work. I understand my trauma. Why do I still feel this [...]

What if trauma therapy could address both the processing of traumatic experiences and the way your nervous system responds to them? Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) and LENS Neurofeedback are two different brain-based approaches that can sometimes be used together to support [...]

When we think about trauma, we often think about fear, sadness, anger, or other emotions. But trauma can also leave something deeper behind: shock. Deep Brain Reorienting™ was developed by Dr. Frank Corrigan, a psychiatrist whose research and clinical work in [...]

What if sound could be used to support the healing process? DBR S2, also called the Sudden Sound Protocol, is an advanced technique within Deep Brain Reorienting™ (DBR) that uses a neutral sound to help begin the DBR process.  This approach [...]

At Vancouver EMDR Therapy, we offer EMDR sessions in either standard 53-minute sessions or 90-minute extended sessions, depending on your needs and treatment goals. Extended sessions provide extra time for trauma processing, grounding, and integration, allowing you to move through each [...]

If you’ve ever felt trapped in a painful cycle with food—restricting, binging, purging, or feeling constantly at war with your body—you’re not alone. For many people, eating disorders are not really about food. They’re about finding ways to cope with deep [...]

First Responders—firefighters, EMTs, police officers, 911/dispatch, military, veterans and others—face a unique kind of trauma. They witness the unthinkable, respond to crisis with composure, and are trained to compartmentalize their emotions in order to perform under extreme stress. Over time, this [...]

You’re exhausted but can’t fall asleep. You feel so tired, but your body feels wired and “buzzing.” You drift in and out of sleep all night—worrying, thinking, ruminating, and feeling fearful, as if something bad is going to happen. You may [...]

Frequently Asked Questions About This Powerful Trauma Treatment Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a gentle yet powerful new therapy that helps people heal from trauma by going straight to where it starts—in the deepest part of the brain, the brainstem. This [...]

When we talk about trauma healing, we often think about processing emotions, memories, and thoughts. But what if healing begins even before all of that—at the level of the body’s very first response to threat? That’s the idea behind Deep Brain [...]

Vancouver EMDR Therapy, PLLC is a trauma-focused group practice dedicated to helping adults heal from PTSD, C-PTSD, and attachment trauma. Founded in 2009, our practice is known for its expertise in EMDR therapy and integrates other therapy modalities to help people [...]

Our First Responder such as police, firefighters, 911/Dispatch Operators, EMT’s and Veterans/Military deserve our best care. In order to provide high quality and specialized care those that treat Fisrt Responders need to be culturally competent. Cultural competency goes beyond knowing the [...]

Complex PTSD Complex Trauma can also be referred to Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), relational trauma or developmental trauma. Complex PTSD is a result of exposure to repeated or prolonged instances or multiple forms of interpersonal trauma. Escape is not possible due to [...]

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established therapy for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and helping individuals recover from disturbing life experiences. EMDR is also effective in addressing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. EMDR treatment involves [...]

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy *Adapted from F. Shapiro (2001) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing:  Basic principles, protocols and procedures (2nd edition) New York: Guilford Press.   1. In the first sessions, the client’s history and an overall treatment plan [...]

EMDR therapy can be a powerful supplement to traditional psychotherapy. I partner with therapists to help clients resolve traumatic material that may be interfering with progress in ongoing therapy. When distress related to a specific incident continues to intrude or stall [...]

The Flash Technique originated from EMDR therapy and is an approach designed to reduce distress related to disturbing life events and traumatic memories. It is a minimally intrusive intervention that does not require clients to consciously engage with the traumatic memory. [...]

The Early Trauma Protocol (ETP) is a specialized EMDR-based approach designed to work with individuals who experienced abuse, neglect, or relational trauma in early childhood—typically between birth and age three. I have advanced training in this protocol, developed by Katie O’Shea, [...]

Addictions develop when a desired emotional state becomes tightly linked to a specific behavior. For example, if the feeling of being a “winner” becomes paired with gambling, the person may gamble in order to access that feeling. When an intense desired [...]

Mental health cannot be separated from physical health. To support true emotional well-being, it is essential to treat the whole person—mind and body together. Lemecia Lindsey is a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP). As a therapist, she works from [...]

This is a collection of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, designed to help reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress so you can live from a place of healing, hope, and greater ease. Healing from trauma looks [...]

This collection includes resources on the brain, adaptogens for stress support, the Integrative Mental Health Model, and an explanation of EMDR therapy in Spanish. This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, designed to help reduce [...]

We are starting to hear about the lasting effects of COVID-19 for some patients. Terms to describe the ongoing effects have been coined by COVID patients and patient advocates. They include: Post COVID syndrome, Long COVID or COVID Long Haulers. These [...]

Change your physiology to feel better, causes of amnesia in childhood, excessive doing and busyness, six drive impacted by trauma, mindful bilateral stimulation and more in the blog below. This is a list of monthly “trauma recovery tips” from a trauma [...]

Explore your inner critic, connect to Mother Earth to heal, podcast on childhood abuse and a Loving Kindness Meditation to your inner child. This is a list of monthly “trauma recovery tips” from a trauma specialist to help you reduce the [...]

This collection explores meditation, dry skin brushing for dissociation, Epsom salt baths, trauma recovery reading, and breathing techniques to help regulate the nervous system. This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, designed to help reduce [...]

Please allow yourself to get comfortable as I lead you through a Grounding Spiral Technique.  

Gratitude meditation is a type of meditation that focuses on expressing gratitude for the things in your life. Take a few moments and allow yourself to get comfortable. Push play to listen to Lemecia Lindsey lead you through this meditation.   [...]

Care for your spirit, move your body, dealing with trauma and PTSD, anxiety treatments and music. To learn more about how these topics can help reduce trauma and chronic stress then please continue reading… This is a list of monthly “trauma [...]

Gratitude meditation, breath work, Magnesium for sleep and stress reduction, cognitive self care and anxiety reducing foods are all discussed in this blog. This is a list of monthly “trauma recovery tips” from a trauma specialist to help you reduce the [...]

Foods of our ancestors, breathe better to feel better, neurofeedback, a mediation app and house plants. To learn more about how these topics can help reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress please read the blog below… This is a [...]

Mask wearing, insomnia, grief, Post-Traumatic Growth and soothing with water. To learn more please read the blog below… This is a list of monthly “trauma recovery tips” from a trauma specialist to help you reduce the effects of trauma and chronic [...]

This collection focuses on simple ways to support trauma recovery, including daily time in nature, replacing coffee with matcha tea, techniques for reducing nightmares, working through emotional hurts, and a recommended book. This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips [...]

Theme of the Month: Play. This post highlights simple, playful ways to support trauma recovery, including trying new activities, bilateral music, good mood foods, the benefits of social connection, and an expert perspective on trauma. This is a list of monthly [...]

This collection explores essential oils, reducing sugar, EMDR therapy, cultivating equanimity, and creating a personal memory list to support trauma recovery. This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, designed to help reduce the effects of [...]

This month’s trauma recovery tips explore breathing practices, relationships, circadian rhythm balance, vitamin deficiencies, and calming herbal teas. This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, designed to help reduce the effects of trauma and chronic [...]

This is a list of monthly “trauma tips” from a trauma specialist to help you reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress on your life so you can live from a place of healing, hope and happiness. Healing from trauma [...]

This is a list of monthly “trauma tips” from a trauma specialist to help you reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress on your life so you can live from a place of healing, hope and happiness. Healing from trauma [...]

This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, created to help reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress so you can live from a place of healing, hope, and happiness. Healing from trauma looks different [...]

This is a list of monthly Trauma Recovery Tips from a trauma specialist, created to help reduce the effects of trauma and chronic stress so you can live from a place of healing, hope, and happiness. Healing from trauma looks different [...]

Our brainwave activity affects how we feel, how we perform, and how our bodies respond to stress. When brainwave patterns become dysregulated, a wide range of emotional and physical symptoms can develop. The good news is that the brain is highly [...]

Neurofeedback is a drug-free, non-invasive, and natural approach that can help individuals experiencing a wide range of emotional and physical challenges, including brain-based conditions. Neurofeedback has been shown to be helpful for concerns such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, post-concussion syndrome [...]

In this episode we welcome back Lemecia Lindsey to talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We break down how PTSD differs from other types of trauma, the history of PTSD, who is at risk for PTSD, symptoms, myths, and treatment options. Posttraumatic [...]

Our brain and body are deeply connected. As research continues to evolve, we are learning more about the powerful role nutrition plays in mental health. Science now shows that what we eat directly affects our brain function. In fact, approximately 90% [...]

Emotion is the glue that holds relationships together. When partners feel emotionally safe and close, they form an attachment bond that becomes the foundation of their relationship. Emotions can either pull couples closer together or push them apart. Many men struggle [...]

In Buddhist philosophy, the Wheel of Life is a symbolic representation of human existence and the different realms of experience we move through. One of these realms is known as the Hungry Ghost Realm. The Hungry Ghost Realm represents addiction, craving, [...]

There is an old saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend.” Dogs truly are remarkable animals. They have a lot to teach us, including loyalty, kindness, unconditional love, and protection. One of the most powerful lessons dogs offer us is [...]

Our bodies and brains have an innate capacity to heal. Our physiology is designed to recover from physical injury and emotional stress and naturally return to balance. A simple example of this is when we cut our finger. We don’t have [...]

Experiencing PTSD or ongoing emotional stress is incredibly difficult. It can feel overwhelming, frightening, and at times even disorienting—as though you’re losing control or “going crazy.” For many people, it is one of the hardest experiences they will ever face. PTSD [...]

Did you know that your relationship with your partner or spouse effects your health? Ask yourself these questions- Are you overeating or finding yourself not hungry? Do you find yourself depressed or overly anxious? Do you have frequent headaches stomach aches [...]

Listen to Lemecia Lindsey,LICSW talk about Complex Trauma on the Being Un Normal Podcast. https://www.beingunnormal.com/podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3e6-being-a-complex-trauma-survivor/id1405485716?i=1000435213034  

Anxiety and depression can cause serious health issues and tremendous suffering and it is not talked about enough in America. Anxiety disorders are reaching epidemic proportions and are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting almost 20% of the [...]

Journaling is a great way to get to know yourself, your inner world and to be able to explore your thoughts and feelings. If you have ever tried to meditate you have probably experienced what is called the “monkey brain.” No [...]

Are you—or someone you love—struggling with depression, anxiety, or PTSD? Do you feel an ongoing sense of fear, as if something bad is about to happen? Are you experiencing fatigue, persistent sadness, nightmares, or flashbacks? Do negative thoughts about yourself show [...]

For centuries people have been using essential oils (natural substances extracted from plants and seeds), to heal the mind and body. The positive effect essential oils can have on us is amazing, and people with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) often [...]

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present—aware of where we are and what we’re doing—without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s happening around us. Mindfulness is available to us in every moment, whether through a classic form [...]

Sexual addiction can be devastating for the individual and for their spouse and family. Statistics often cited suggest that 3–6% of the population—roughly 17 to 37 million people in the U.S.—struggle with sex addiction. While women can also be affected, research [...]

Stress is becoming an epidemic in our culture. According to the World Health Organization, stress is widely recognized as a major health concern of the 21st century. A stress response is a normal function of the body—and we need it in [...]

Are you experiencing trauma related to a birth? If so you are not alone and there is help for you! As many as 18% of all women experience trauma related to childbirth, one third of whom experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [...]

The cry we hear from deep in our hearts, comes from the wounded child within. Healing this inner child’s pain will transform negative emotions. – Thich Nhat Hanh We all have inner parts of ourselves. The inner parts of ourselves create [...]

20 million people suffer from depression in the US. Symptoms of depression include; sadness, loss of pleasure in activities you used to enjoy, change in weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, thoughts of death or suicide. Depression [...]

Emotional health should be looked at on par with physical health. If left untreated, conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety are no less debilitating than diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. Emotional stress can severely impact ones motivation at work [...]

It is always a great time to show gratitude and thankfulness to those heroes that work on a daily basis to keep our community and country safe. We know that if we need help a first responder will be there for [...]

Life can be beautiful, full of wonder, connection and love. But sometimes bad things happen that can overwhelm us, shock our systems and turn our natural survival response systems into overdrive. Trauma can shock the brain, stun the mind and freeze [...]

Yes, even adults need routines and especially couples. Creating daily routines gives couples a sense of security in their marriage. Rebuilding intimacy and maintaining connection won’t happen by itself. It takes effort. Rituals of connection strengthen relationships, and give couples something to [...]

What is self-compassion you might ask?  Sometimes to better understand self-compassion it is easier to think about what it is like to feel compassion to others. Think of the way you feel towards a friend, family member or colleague who is [...]

Women who have been sexually abused or raped often have difficulties in their closest and most intimate relationships.  The statistics for sexual assaults in the US is shocking!  One in five women will be raped at some point in their lifetime.  [...]

Trauma and dissociation go hand in hand. Approximately 73% of individuals exposed to a traumatic incident will experience dissociative states during the incident or in the hours, days and weeks following the incident. To dissociate is a natural built in survival [...]

Most parents do the best they can in their parenting abilities and styles. Most parents love their children and want to provide them with the best childhood they can. Many parents strive to be better parents then their parents were to [...]

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete- The Buddha Self care is an act of love and compassion for oneself and it comes in many different forms. We can nourish our mind, body and spirit in the following [...]

Each year brings opportunities for new beginnings. When a new year begins many people see it as a way of starting fresh or starting over, a time of renewal, making resolutions or setting goals, or picking a word that symbolizes their [...]

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness means to “Pay attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally”- Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness has been used for thousands of years in the East. With its growing popularity in the West, neuroscience [...]

There is a link between childhood adversity and adult illnesses and disease and we now have research to prove it. The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study is one of the largest scientific research studies of its kind, with over 17,000 mostly [...]

Gratitude is a funny thing. It doesn’t always come easy for survivors of trauma and abuse. Gratitude is defined as a positive experience of thankfulness. Some people actually wonder why they don’t feel more gratitude after surviving a life threatening event [...]

Love heals, but sometimes we are hurt by those we love. Couples can experience trauma through marital distress as well as, affairs, miscarriages, death of a child or chronic illness of a partner. Other types of trauma affecting relationships can include [...]

You probably have heard the saying that we are “creatures of habit”.  Our bodies crave routines and thrive off of rituals. Sleep is one of the most  crucial ways that our body recovers from stress and trauma. A good night’s sleep [...]

Trauma can rob ones sense of safety, joy and connection to themselves and the world around them. Restoring wellness after trauma can give a person a greater appreciation for life, connection to others, compassion to self and others and gratitude for [...]

Play is a powerful and natural part of life and an important part of person’s well being. Research shows not only the importance of play for children but for adults as well. Play is one of the earliest ways that we [...]

Research shows that 1 in 6 men in the US have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18. If this is you, then you are not alone. In fact, some studies show that this is a low estimate. Childhood sexual [...]

One of the most interesting and innovative uses of EMDR (Eye, Movement, Desensitization and  Reprocessing) therapy is in performance enhancement. Many people know or have heard that EMDR therapy is a highly effective, research based form of psychotherapy that helps people [...]

Depression and trauma go hand in hand. Many people who have experienced trauma have symptoms of depression. When the body and mind are overwhelmed by a traumatic event its natural response is to shut down emotions and feelings…both good and bad. [...]

Just like adults children can experience PTSD symptoms. EMDR therapy is successful in treating trauma survivors both young and old and is the most researched psychotherapeutic treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When a painful or upsetting experience happens, the memory [...]

It takes guts to overcome fear and heal from rape. Every hour 78 women are raped in the United States. Men and children are also victims of rape. In fact,1 in 33 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. And over [...]

The word freeze has now been added to fight or flight as a third response that can occur to both humans and animals during a threat for survival. For human beings, the freeze response can occur when we’re terrified and feel [...]

The flight or flee response to trauma is commonly see in the wild when a lion chases his prey. If the prey is lucky it will out run the lion and survive. As humans we too have the flight response when [...]

Trauma is not something that we like to think about , let alone talk about. Trauma itself is also commonly misunderstood leaving individuals who are affected by it to feel stigmatized, alone and not receive the assistance they need. In order [...]

If our body and mind cannot move past a traumatic experience then we get stuck in a fight, flight or freeze mode.  The fight response is about survival and hope. We activate it when we believe there’s a chance we can [...]

During the holidays it can be difficult navigating family dynamics in healthy families but it is even more challenging for adult survivors of childhood abuse to spend the holidays with family members who have abused them. There are a variety of [...]

Below are the three stages of the recovery process for trauma that we follow as therapists at Vancouver EMDR Therapy. We use EMDR therapy in every phase of the recovery process whether it is helping to create safety and increasing inner [...]

We are learning more about trauma all of the time. New research is giving us insights into the effects of trauma and the subsequent behaviors that people exhibit. The more that we know about trauma the more that we can help [...]

Parenting is not easy. Parenting is one of the hardest and one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have in their life. Mothers and fathers with trauma backgrounds have special challenges when it comes to parenting. Research shows that [...]

It is difficult to see someone you love or care about experience life changing trauma. The worst advice given to people with trauma is not usually done to hurt or cause pain but instead said out of desperation to help. Many [...]

Here are 10 ways that EMDR therapy can help teens heal from trauma. EMDR therapy is effective and works fast-teenagers and their parents usually don’t want to commit to years of weekly therapy. Research shows that with single incident traumas EMDR [...]

Many people wait months or even years before reaching out for help from a therapist. Survivors of trauma in particular can feel shame and be fearful to discuss the event. This often leads to them feeling hopeless believing that there isn’t [...]

Older men and women are faced with many challenges in their later life including; the death of a spouse, friends and relatives. They also face growing medical issues and life transitions which can lead to depression and anxiety. Also, when new [...]

There are many reasons why gay men may enter into therapy: coming out, internalized homophobia, substance abuse, health concerns, lack of support from family, feelings of isolation, and not feeling accepted within their own community. (https://www.talkspace.com/blog/2016/06/the-mental-health-issues-gay-men-deal-with/) But many men have experiences that [...]

A key aspect for people experiencing trauma is difficulty with emotional and physical regulation. Clients with trauma often find themselves feeling overwhelmed and intensely emotional. They might feel out of control with intrusive body sensations or memories of traumatic events. They can [...]

A couple years back I was having a conversation with a family member about how triggering fireworks can be this time of year for people suffering from PTSD. He stated that, while sympathetic, he didn’t understand how someone could be startled [...]