With trauma taking on so many different forms and leading to so many debilitating life stressors, the expanding of treatment options for trauma has become most important. Traditional therapy methods used by many facilities, centers, and therapists will not be effective for everyone, particularly if the client is working to resolve issues of developmental and complex trauma. Here at Trauma and Beyond Psychological Center ®, we understand that every patient is different and individuals require specialized approaches to treatment so they can heal in their own way. Understanding the use of Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) can allow you to see how this approach may be helpful to your needs.
Explaining the Basics of EMDR
EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.” This treatment approach has proven to be highly effective in treating various types of trauma. By incorporating eye movements or bilateral stimulation such as sound or touch sensors, you become able to achieve mind-body-emotion integration and remove the blocks that are hindering healing so that feelings of safety and comfort can grow. The therapy is used extensively today and can help resolve unconscious memories or unconscious traumatic events that are causing distress in your life.
How AF-EMDR Works
Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR) uses a combination of therapies, including EMDR, traditional talk therapies and “resourcing” to help clients that have not responded to the basic EMDR protocols because of trauma or attachment deficits. It approaches clients from an attachment theory focus and with an understanding of the role of attachment in creating secure connection to self and others. Clients with relationship difficulties, difficulty at work, depression, and other symptoms often do not feel fully alive because of the trauma they faced at some point in life, whether it is childhood trauma, medical trauma, or some other situation. The approach incorporates methods to repair the attachment disorder that may exist so clients can repair and form close relationships again. This method can help repair developmental deficits that often occur as a result of abuse, neglect, addiction, and mental illness in self or in the family.
Learn More about EMDR
If you or a loved has experienced trauma in your life and you feel therapy using Attachment-Focused EMDR may be beneficial to you, reach out to us here at Trauma and Beyond Psychological Center ®. You can read more about the philosophies and approaches here on our website, or you can call us at (818) 651-0711 to ask questions or arrange for a consultation with a therapist so you can discuss your situation and find out what help is available to you. If you want to make an inquiry, please send us a message using our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
