Healing Trauma with EMDR: Understanding How Unresolved Wounds Affect Our Mind and Body Today

                                                                                                                           Photo by Simran Sood

The past is the present- Our mind and body is intertwined.

Previous traumatic memories and experiences are stored within us and may influence our current self, whether we recognize it or not. These old memories impact our daily life in the way of our thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviours. These responses may not always seem appropriate. Our bodies and minds may not realize we are in the present day, and we are still reacting to "old stuff" to keep us safe. When this happens, our neural networks may have become blocked, preventing natural healing processes.

The past affects the present even without our being aware of it - Francine Shapiro

If you feel that your "old stuff" is impacting you, an evidence-based trauma treatment such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) may be a great fit. In EMDR therapy, both our brains' left (logical) and right (emotional) hemispheres are activated to start working together again. Bilateral stimulation is achieved by tracking the therapist's finger with your eyes or other tactile/auditory methods. While tracking, the client also thinks of the memory. This accelerates information processing, allowing the unhelpful memory that negatively impacts us to be metabolized into a more helpful one.

Yours always in authenticity,

Jody