Should there be a separate diagnostic category for complex PTSD related to childhood trauma in the DSM-V? Physicians and researchers such as Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Robert Pynoos, MD, and Marylene Cloitre , PhD think so. Over a year ago, these medical professionals formed a task force advocating that a diagnosis called Developmental Trauma [...]
Read MoreTeaching emotional regulation skills seems especially relevant for people who have suffered multiple traumas, as they never really learned how to naturally regulate emotions. Instead they may have used substances, self-injury, sex, shopping, or other compulsive behaviors to regulate distress. Even after we’ve cleared a trauma, they may still not have a good handle on how to cope with other stressors. A recent study by Cloitre and colleagues validates this.
Read MoreDid you know that you don’t have to use EMDR or painful exposure techniques to clear the emotional charge of a traumatic memory? All that is required is keeping the client “emotionally present” as they are describing the details of the event.
Read MoreI am a big fan of neuroscientist and musician, Joseph LeDoux. His band, the Amygdaloids, just released a new album,called Theory of My Mind. Watch this music video of their song “Fearing.”
Read MoreCassie opened her eyes and tearfully smiled as she said, “I thought I was full of darkness. But now I realize you are right, I AM the Sunshine! My grandfather saw that in me. I am not those things my mom said about me. I am the Light and can chase old shadows away.” I teared up too as I watched her entire countenance change and she got up to give me a big hug.
Read MoreCassie opened her eyes and tearfully smiled as she said, “I thought I was full of darkness. But now I realize you are right, I AM the Sunshine! My grandfather saw that in me. I am not those things my mom said about me. I am the Light and can chase old shadows away.” I teared up too as I watched her entire countenance change and she got up to give me a big hug.
Read MoreRoss replied in his best German accent, “You vill allow me to insert dis needle into your arm and you vill like it, tiny Frenchman! When we are done, I vill give you a delicious strudel, and you vill like dis too.”
Read MoreDonna said she was delighted with her yellow canary. Not only was the process of breathing and imagining the canary keeping her claustrophobia at bay, but it also helped her stop smoking!
Read MoreRapid Resolution Therapy® is my treatment of choice when it comes to clearing the negative effect of traumatic memories. This innovative method was developed by Dr. Jon Connelly and often yields results in just 1-3 sessions. Below are some of the elements of RRT that I love: 1. Start with the solution In RRT, you [...]
Read MoreTo treat emotional problems, you have to speak the language of the emotional brain. Most people most have already tried applying reason, logic, and mind over matter. They show up in our office because none of that stuff worked.
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