Calgary EMDR Therapist

Trauma Therapy and EMDR Therapy

Trauma Therapy and EMDR Therapy

What is Trauma? Trauma is emotional distress that can be caused by one event or multiple events. When we experience something that is traumatic, it triggers our alarm system called our amygdala in our brain.

When our amygdala alarm goes off, our bodies and brains will respond with one or more of the 4F’s.

What are the 4 F’s of a trauma response?

  1. FIGHT - You sense danger and are preparing physically to respond. Whether or not you respond physically your body fills with tension.

  2. FLIGHT - Your body is ready to get out of there and escape. If you cannot flee your body may feel fidgety or restless.

  3. FREEZE - You are not sure you can fight or flight so your body shuts down and you may feel unable to speak or move and you go numb.

  4. FAWN - You attempt to keep the peace, make others happy, and not cause trouble.

That amygdala response gets “stuck” to that memory when something feels like trauma to us. You see, trauma is in the eye of the beholder, meaning that if it feels like it was traumatic to you, it probably was.

Does this mean that any distress leads to trauma? No. A tolerable level of distress or anxiety in our lives is good. However, when this distress goes beyond what we can tolerate, our bodies respond in a way to protect us. This trauma then becomes stored in our brains and bodies.

This is why it is important to reach out to a therapist that is trained and experienced in treating trauma as there are different ways that you will be supported to address both the brain and body to bring relief and healing.

Keep reading below to find out more about what could cause trauma, what could be a trauma response, and how therapy could help you find relief.

Women walking in treed forest area with a coffee in hand

What could cause trauma?

  • Physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse

  • Natural disasters

  • Hospitalizations/medical treatment

  • Sudden death/loss

  • Witnessing violence

  • Neglect

  • An accident

  • High chronic stress

  • Childbirth

  • Threat or fear of death/dying

  • Vicarious trauma (witnessing or hearing about it)

  • Whatever else may have felt like trauma to you.

woman waiting for train

What are some things you may feel after experiencing trauma?

  • Shock

  • Numbness

  • Flashbacks/Dreams/Images/Memories

  • Intense emotions

  • Feeling like your body needs to move/hit/run

  • Avoidance of people/triggers

  • Irritability/anger

  • Intrusive thoughts and memories

  • Return of symptoms with certain triggers

  • Anxiety

  • Panic

  • Tension

  • Grief

  • Feeling like you are on alert

  • Withdrawal from family/friends

  • Restlessness

  • Physical symptoms (sleep disturbance, chronic health conditions, respiratory problems, stomach issues, muscle tension, etc.)

How can therapy help you?

  • We will re-establish a sense of groundedness and trust

  • Strengthen and develop coping mechanisms

  • Reduce triggers

  • “Unstick” the sticky memory from the alarm (amygdala) reaction

  • Address how the trauma is stored in your body

  • Process emotions and feelings connected to the trauma

  • We will utilize therapies such as EMDR Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion Therapy, Grounding Techniques, Somatic (Body) Therapy and Sandtray Therapy that address both the brain and body.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is an evidence based treatment that could be the right treatment modality for you. Here is a video for you to watch that explains more about what EMDR therapy is and how it works.

Questions before getting started? Get in touch.