RESOURCES & HELPFUL INFORMATION
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
"Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person's sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Long after the traumatic event occurs, people with trauma can often feel shame, helplessness, powerlessness and intense fear." (https://www.camh.ca)
"Big T" traumatic events are overt, extreme, and fit the common conception of a trauma e.g.:
*Physical or sexual abuse or neglect
*Exposure to war or natural disasters
*Witnessing death or harm
"Little T" traumatic events may include any event or ongoing situation that causes distress, fear, and a sense of helplessness e.g.:
*Unmet childhood needs
*Relationship break up
*Loss of a job
*Financial worries
View the following video for more information on trauma:
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
A video explanation by "The Body Keeps the Score" author Dr Bessel van der Kolk
WHAT IS EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISATION REPROCESSING THERAPY (EMDR)?
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment approach that involves using bilateral stimulation in the form of eye movements, hand tappers, "butterfly taps", or sound stimulation in order to assist the client to process the target memory/trauma. Distressing unprocessed memories often underlie many psychological symptoms and processing these in a manner that is safe and contained can assist greatly in the reduction of many reactions/responses that are often painful and confusing.
View the following video for more information about EMDR:
WHAT IS EMDR?
A video overview of EMDR by EMDRAA.org.au
WHAT IS INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY (IFS)?
IFS is an evidence based therapy that assists clients to get to know their "parts" or thoughts/feelings/body sensations and listen to them in a way that is helpful. Many of our "protector parts" had to take on painful roles when we were very young and if we get to know their stories and assist the exiles/memories that they are connected to, we can create more internal harmony and more space for the Self. The Self is by nature calm, compassion, curious and courageous and decisions made from this place are respectful to others but also compassionate to the self.
Examples of Manager protector parts:
*Judgemental
*Controlling
*Self-critical
*Anxious/worrying
*"Busy"
*Rational
*People pleasing or caretaking
Examples of Firefighter protector parts:
*Addiction
*Rage
*Withdrawal
*Dissociation
*Self harm
*Suicidal ideation
All parts are trying to help us in some way. It is our role to understand them, relieve them of their burdens and help them journey with us into the present.
View the following video for more information about Internal Family Systems Therapy:
WHAT IS IFS?
An introduction by IFS creator Dr Richard Schwartz
HOW UNLOVING PARENTS GENERATE SELF-HATING CHILDREN
An video by The School of Life
DAILY IFS MEDITATION
Many of our protector parts took on their roles when we were very young. Their actions help us cope in powerful and critical ways. However, many clients report getting to a certain place in their lives, when they are safer, have more space for reflection and that it seems time to look inside to look after the past.
"The Good Fairy" is a story that depicts all that our parts do to protect us and the start of the journey of getting to know them. Read "The Good Fairy" here.
Some clients who connect with the IFS philosophy choose to engage in regular check ins or meditations with their parts.
If you are interested, there are several IFS meditations available on the free "Insight Timer" app.
View the following video for a meditation led by IFS therapist Michelle Glass:
DAILY IFS MEDITATION
A meditation by IFS therapist Michelle Glass
WHAT IS CIRCLE OF SECURITY ATTACHMENT PARENTING APPROACH?
The Circle of Security offers a clear framework for what our role is in being a parent. This assists parents to gain a more balance in being able to meet the needs of our children in a way that is Bigger, Stronger, Wiser & Kind. COS has been developed from from the multitude of theoretical and empirical evidence that shows that children with a secure attachment experience better outcomes in all areas of life.
View the following video for more information about Circle of Security:
THE CIRCLE OF SECURITY
An overview from Circle of Security International
OTHER RECOMMENDED READING
FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
Melissa will work with you to find the right balance of IFS and EMDR that connects with you. Sometimes clients gravitate more strongly towards one therapy or the other. Other clients embrace both therapies and they are used fluidly to meet your needs in each session. In each case, you will work with Melissa to create the sense of containment, safety and tools needed to safely process wounds from the past.
