Trauma is a fact of life. Overwhelming experiences can become locked in our minds, emotions, and physiology. With the help of a skilled trauma therapist, your life can undergo a profound transformation. EMDR and Somatic Experiencing are leading therapies in the treatment of PTSD —different approaches that both offer immense healing and, combined, provide optimal healing and transformation.

Trauma therapy can help individuals cope with the effects of trauma and lead to post-traumatic growth. After enduring a traumatic event, with the appropriate support, healing from trauma can lead to new possibilities for personal strength, appreciation for life, resilience, and spiritual growth. PTSD treatment may catalyze the unleashing of post-traumatic growth that starts a spiral of positive change, including renewed connection to yourself and relationships with others.

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a transformative therapy that understands life isn't a straight line. Life is often unpredictable and full of twists and turns—and, life is a journey filled with potential for growth and transformation. AEDP views transformation as a holistic process that involves not only the mind but also the emotions, body, and spirit. Emotional suffering can lead to life-changing healing and transformation.

The Still Face Experiment, conducted by psychologist Ed Tronick in the 1970s, was a key influence on the development of EFT couples therapy by Sue Johnson. The experiment involved a mother and her infant child, and demonstrated the impact of emotional responsiveness (or lack thereof) on an individual's emotional state. The Still Face Experiment is significant because it highlights the importance of emotional attachment throughout our lives.

Incorporating both mindfulness and spirituality into daily life can lead to greater well-being. Mindful therapy has its roots in ancient spiritual traditions that include present-moment awareness, acceptance, and a compassionate mindset -- and it also can operate independently of a spiritual journey. It can be part of counseling that supports overall wellness, as well as part of one's journey of spiritual awakening.

Somatic experiencing (SE) is a body-centered therapy, demonstrated to be highly effective in treating PTSD and the spectrum of trauma. SE was developed by Peter Levine who studied animals in the wild and learned what interventions were effective in the mammalian nervous system. Somatic experiencing therapy is a forerunner in the field of trauma therapy that has changed our understanding of trauma and our ability to heal.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps couples strengthen their emotional bond. It is an evidence-based, structured approach to couple therapy that is the gold standard in creating healthy relationships. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy strengthens family bonds and supports happy children. Positive benefits spill over onto the entire family, even when children are not directly involved in the therapy.

AEDP understands that people are designed for health and healing. It recognizes the drive in all of us that pulses toward growth, self-repair, healing, and transformation. It supports clients in moving from suffering to flourishing. Unlike traditional therapies, AEDP goes beyond symptom resolution and joins spiritual traditions in accessing and expanding states of love, joy, compassion, and gratitude.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a humanistic therapy based on attachment theory, supports partners in recognizing their feelings, understanding each other better, and creating stronger relationships. Looking into how partners interact and what emotions they feel supports building strong relationships filled with love and trust.

Mindfulness has been linked to long-term changes in brain structure. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new neural pathways within the brain, allowing it to support human flourishing. The benefits multiply when these two forces combine with a therapeutic process.

The experience of trauma can overwhelm us, leaving us feeling helpless and unable to move forward. When faced with danger, our bodies instinctively respond in three ways: fight, flight, or freeze. Unfortunately, the freeze response can cause long-term damage to our emotional and physical health. Trauma therapy is a powerful means of restoring health and reclaiming life after trauma.

Mindfulness therapy can be a powerful way to develop a peaceful relationship with our minds. We can become aware of patterns driving negative behaviors and emotions by paying attention, observing our thoughts without judgment, and staying present. We can develop an inner sense of contentment that is not dependent on external factors or situations.

Sue Johnson, the creator of EFT for couples, speaks about the 'panic brain' triggered by the amygdala and how it needs to be soothed. Her research shows that a secure, warm, loving relationship between a couple can create an atmosphere where this panic brain is calmed. This kind of bond provides the comfort necessary to help the brain move away from fear and find solace in a secure connection with another human being.

Trauma is a part of life— most people have suffered the effects of trauma. Trauma can happen to anyone when they experience a threat, feel overwhelmed, and cannot complete the needed fight, flight, or freeze response. Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing (SE), a holistic and naturalistic approach that offers hope for those suffering from the effects of trauma.

Most of us know what it's like to get stuck in the 'mud' of life. Even as we seek happiness, challenges and suffering meet us. We can find inspiration in the lotus, which has a peaceful co-existence with the 'mud' of its life. For many, the lotus flower represents a spiritual connection and the ability to overcome anything. It affirms our capacity to rise from difficulty and hardship into the beauty of expanded consciousness.

John Gottman is a psychologist and prolific researcher of what makes partnerships satisfying and lasting. He has infused hope into angst-filled relationships and transformed them into deeply fulfilling connections. Gottman has identified ‘Six Magic Hours’ that distinguish happy couples from unhappy ones.

Self-regulation vs. co-regulation? Leading experts in the fields of bonding, attachment and neuroscience tell us of the impact of our connections. When you have a positive feedback loop with another person, their nervous system can help yours to regulate. Find out more about how this works.

Emotionally Focused Therapy understands that the glue of relationships lies in our emotional bonds. Our emotional bonds can be injured in a variety of ways. While relationship repair generally won’t happen without effort, the good news is that there are some proven keys to relationship repair.

Throughout our lives we rely on secure bonds to successfully navigate life. And yet, even as we forge our own partnerships they often fall short of being ones where we can share our deepest vulnerabilities and feel emotionally secure. Attachment science tells us that regardless of our histories, we can create new possibilities for creating secure emotional bonds.

Acceptance is a necessary ingredient to a peaceful life. It might sound simple, yet, it’s not always easy. Even when we know a change or an ending is needed, acceptance as a first step can make a difference in creating a more peaceful outcome.