What We Do
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: ( EMDR)
EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR therapy integrates the elements of many traditional psychological orientations and is based on the Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP). The AIP model hypothesizes that there is an inherent information processing system in the brain that gets blocked when traumatic events occur, causing events to get locked in the brain with the original picture sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations.
Whenever a reminder of the traumatic events comes up, these pictures, thoughts, feelings and sensations can continue to be triggered. Though the combination of focus on distressing stimulus and bilateral stimulation to the brain using eye movement from side to side or a device called tappers (small objects that a child can hold in her hand that vibrate and alternate from right to left side) the brain works to heal the emotional wound. Once the brain is able to digest and reprocess the memories stored in the emotional part of the brain in a more adaptive manner, healing can occur and symptoms decrease or disappear.
Theraplay®
Theraplay® is a dyadic child and family therapy that supports healthy child/caregiver attachment.
The therapist guides parents and child through playful games, developmentally challenging activities and tender nurturing activities.
Theraplay:
- increases social engagement,
- expands arousal regulation
- supports the development of positive self-esteem for both the child and the parent.
Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in healthy parent-child relationships
- Structure: The adult, the leader in the relationship, creates organization and predictability for the child which communicates safety
- Nurture: The adult provides caring that can calm and soothe the child in a manner that makes them feel good physically and emotionally
- Engagement: The adult is present in a manner that the child experiences being seen, heard, felt, and accepted
- Challenge: The adult supports the child in the acquisition and mastery of new skills, enhancing the child’s sense of competence and confidence
Activities are planned after an initial assessment (Marschak Interaction Method or MIM). Treatment plan includes concentration on which of four qualities need more work in the relationship. Activities are also balanced to go from arousal to calm.
Being with
Being with is “an immersive and holistic 12-month program for radical change makers” developed and led by Robyn Gobbel LCSW. I was part of the very first Being With and am currently a small group coach within the program. Robyn Gobbel is the author of Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors and there are many free resources at https://robyngobbel.com/.
Trust Based Relational Intervention
TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.
TBRI® is designed for children with histories of abuse, neglect, and/or trauma. Because of their histories, it is often difficult for these children to trust the loving adults in their lives, which often results in perplexing behaviors. TBRI® offers practical tools for parents, caregivers, teachers, or anyone who works with children, to see the “whole child” in their care and help that child reach his highest potential.
Because of their histories, children from hard places have changes in their bodies, brains, behaviors, and belief systems. While a variety of parenting strategies may be successful in typical circumstances, children from hard places need caregiving that meets their unique needs and addresses the whole child.
Sandtray
Sandtray therapy uses sand, water, and a variety of miniatures to create stories that represent a person’s inner world. These help the person become aware of unknown past or current challenges in life
A safe, protected space can help a person move toward healing and the exploration of memories and experiences that may be too uncomfortable or difficult to express or talk about.
Sandtray therapy offers one such protected space. It can engage the mind-body connection to help a person face distress and trauma in a nonverbal manner.
Sandtray therapy is a creative counseling technique where a person expresses their understanding of themselves, their world, and aspects of their reality through figurines or miniatures. The scenes created in a sand tray reflect the person’s past and present inner thoughts, feelings, and hardships.