EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been around for 30 years, but seems to be gaining a lot recognition lately. What is EMDR? Why is it so effective? Can any therapist do EMDR with me? Is it hypnosis?…What exactly is EMDR? One day in 1987, a psychologist Francine Shapiro, was walking in the park […]

We’ve been talking a lot about triggers. But what do triggers do? Why is there so much talk about “trigger warnings” and learning how to avoid or deal with triggers? If triggers remind you of something, whether bad, good, or indifferent, what’s the big deal with triggers regarding negative or traumatic memories? First, let’s back […]

You know how some triggers are obvious? A smell, a sound, a person, a place? The memory part of your brain (hippocampus) says “oh I remember this; this is bad.” It sends the signal immediately to the brain’s alarm system (amygdala) which in turn immediately sends out the stress hormone (cortisol) causing the fight/flight/freeze response. […]

Isn’t it frustrating to be afraid to leave your house because you are sure something will trigger you, causing a panic attack? Even at home you may have panic attacks. It doesn’t feel like you are truly safe anywhere. It is so frustrating when it seems like so many things (and sometimes things you can’t […]