EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective, evidenced-based approach to the treatment of trauma. It can also be helpful in resolving anxiety, relationship issues, and stress. EMDR accesses the brain’s natural healing capacity to transform unhealthy automatic responses that have gotten stuck in the nervous system. The process can help “turn down the volume” on emotional responses that come from difficult experiences or memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, often in the form of “tappers” or “tones,” to reintegrate and reframe negative thoughts and painful emotions. Initially we will meet for a few sessions to obtain a thorough history. We will then work on building self-soothing and centering skills and continue to assess whether processing more distressing material is appropriate.

Psychodrama

Psychodrama is an experiential therapy that literally means “psyche in action.” This powerful method incorporates the body, the senses, and the environment. It can yield insights that are more difficult to access through talk therapy alone. Psychodrama can move implicit and unconscious material into the conscious mind, where it can be differentiated, narrated, and reintegrated in a newly coherent manner. The “empty chair” technique is a widely utilized tool that originated in psychodrama and was adopted by Gestalt therapy. I have seen profound moments of healing occur when psychodrama is used safely and skillfully. Jacob Moreno, the founder of psychodrama, recalled telling Sigmund Freud in 1912: "You analyze their dreams. I give them courage to dream again. You analyze and tear them apart. I let them act out their conflicting roles and help them to put the parts back together again."