In cases where there is a history of severe trauma, there is often present fragility. In cases where there is fragility, the fragility needs to be tended to and/or worked through as we endeavor to build capacity. In cases of severe trauma, I’m certified in use of such tools as:
This technique can be useful to effectively communicate with the patient, to reduce anxiety and strengthen the ego, when necessary.
EMDR is a tool designed as a trauma treatment protocol. For patients who have trauma, I will address the trauma using EMDR. I also use EMDR to increase the patient’s ability to cope with anxiety and feelings. A short protocol is available for parents to use at home with children who have behavioral difficulties to reduce anxiety.
In cases where a patient exhibits severe anxiety and has significant difficulty managing anxiety, the graded format of ISTDP is an option. The ISTDP graded format is designed to build capacity in the patient to cope with anxiety, by examining issues, while monitoring anxiety response and helping the patient learn to regulate it. Over time, the ISTDP therapy improves the patient’s capacity to tolerate anxiety and to heal the overall anxiety.
Once much of the trauma and fragility is resolved, the patient moves to heal from the difficulties that occur as a result of intra-psychic conflict.
I have completed an advanced training in the treatment of trauma through The Trauma Center at JRI in Boston, Massachusetts.