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 outfight our attackers. The sympathetic branch activates the fight response. It tells the heart […]
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 reasons why a survivor would spend the holidays with family members who abused them […]
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 resources or processing traumatic memories and strengthening new ways of experiencing self and others. […]
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 survivors, including give a voice to their experience. Below are some examples of what […]
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 parents who experience substance abuse, depression or PTSD as a result of their trauma […]
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 people who haven’t experienced a major trauma event in their life are not prepared […]
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 therapy can resolve traumatic symptoms in a matter of 6-10 sessions. Teenagers need sleep […]
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 anyone who can help them let alone understand what is happening to them. Feeling […]
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 trauma takes place in their life it can create a ‘domino effect’ reactivating old […]
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 have dissuaded them from therapy. There are men who have had therapists that have […]
