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.
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.
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.