Lydia's Approach
Through my own therapy experiences I learned the value of a non-judgmental, unconditional, accepting relationship. Therapy is not about giving advice or “fixing” a client, but fostering a safe environment for change to occur. The focus is not on getting rid of negative emotions, but learning how to tolerate them.
Trauma-Informed Perspective
The trauma response is never wrong. What might seem maladaptive now was once adaptive when a person was in a traumatic or chronically threatening experience. I believe in validating the belief systems a person learned in the past while allowing change in the present.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an evidence-based practice for trauma; but it can be applied to a variety of issues. The process entails working with thoughts, emotions & the body (somatic). What is felt in the body is connected to a filing cabinet of related memories in our nervous system.
Through stimulating rapid-eye movement (akin to the process of dreaming), a person is able to reprocess those experiences where the memory no longer activates a somatic response. The memory is not forgotten, but no longer carries negative meaning. This frees up the person to live fully in the present, letting go of past fears.
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For more detailed information including research on EMDR visit: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
Ego State Therapy
Ambivalence or feeling internally divided is a common experience. Sometimes our internal conflict can feel like two parts arguing & we feel stuck or divided. Trauma, especially in early childhood, can have the effect of splitting a person's internal system causing contradictory thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
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Ego State Therapy helps increase compassion & understanding for all parts of the self; allowing an internal system that can dialogue rather than fight or shut down.