Therapy for Trauma
At our practice, we honor the unique narratives that each individual brings, valuing the intersections of identity and relationships. Our attachment and relationally based therapy approach goes beyond traditional methods by placing your relationships and personal experiences at the heart of the healing process. With this approach, the client-therapist relationship is based on developing or rebuilding trust and centers on expressing emotions. We believe that fostering secure and supportive connections can empower you to navigate the complexities of gender affirmation. Our therapeutic approach recognizes that our connections with others shape our sense of self and identity, especially during the transformative process of embracing one's true gender.
Attachment and relationally based therapy is at the foundation of what we do. Our skilled therapists provide a compassionate and affirming environment, where you can explore your gender identity and expression freely. We understand that your journey is as unique as you are, and we tailor our therapeutic techniques to meet your specific needs. Through collaborative exploration, we aim to help you build a stronger sense of self, navigate familial and social dynamics, and cultivate a network of relationships that uplift and empower your true identity. Through this relational work we support you in feeling more secure in relationships, recovery from people pleasing, codependent patterns, and confidence with setting boundaries.
To support this work, we also offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) . These modalities are beneficial for trauma therapy, PTSD, C-PTSD, OCD, depression, anxiety, codependency, anxious attachment, substance use, and more. You can read more about these modalities below.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Alongside traditional therapeutic approaches, we offer a unique and proven technique known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
EMDR is an approach that can bring about profound healing and transformation. It is particularly effective in addressing the emotional challenges, traumas, and anxieties that may arise during your gender exploration. By utilizing bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps to process distressing memories, thoughts, and feelings that might be holding you back from fully embracing your authentic self. In our safe and affirming therapy space, we'll work collaboratively to identify and target any negative beliefs, self-doubts, or past experiences that may be impeding your journey. EMDR sessions can provide a structured and guided process to reprocess these emotional blockages, allowing you to release their grip on your present and future.
This service is offered by Jacklyn Byrd (they/she), LPC, NCC. Jacklyn is trained to provide EMDR in the state of Georgia. Learn more about them here, or book your consultation below.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
This type of therapy can be used to address a variety of psychological and emotional issues. It is grounded in the principles of traditional psychotherapy, but incorporates the additional element of hypnotic trance to enhance the therapeutic process.
This approach involves a collaborative relationship, just like in traditional psychotherapy, we will work together to establish rapport, trust, and open communication. This method can help uncover and resolve issues that might be influencing your conscious or subconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By accessing the deeper layers of the mind, hypnotherapy can facilitate the resolution of underlying issues, traumas, or conflicts. In addition, it can be used to address various behavioral issues such as phobias and habits. encourage emotional healing by releasing intense emotions, such as anxiety, trauma, and grief, and lead to self-exploration through guided imagery and deep introspection, clients can gain insights into their thought patterns, motivations, and experiences.
It's important to note that hypnotherapy, while based on psychological principles, might not be suitable for everyone and should only be conducted by trained and qualified therapists. Additionally, individual responses to hypnotherapy can vary, and outcomes depend on factors such as the client's openness, motivation, and the specific issues being addressed. Clinical hypnotherapy has been found to be effective for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and more.
This service is offered by Ryan DeVane, LCSW. Ryan is a licensed clinical hypnotherapist in the state of Georgia. Learn more about him here, or book your consultation below.
Brainspotting
At our practice, we aim to center the experiences of our clients, and act as a guide to support you in exploring and unpacking thoughts, feelings, and sensations in your body and mind. Developed by David Grand, Ph.D, Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms [1]. With this method, the client and therapist work together to identify a fixed eye position and body sensation to an unresolved issue.
How does Brainspotting work?
Brainspotting is for anyone – whether you are new to therapy and are looking to change patterns in your behavior and relationships or if you have been in therapy before but have the sense that your work could go deeper. Brainspotting is especially effective for those who are uncomfortable talking about past traumatic experiences, as this modality enables you to heal without having to tell or retell your story [1]. Often, it’s difficult for individuals to discuss traumatic experiences, especially for LGBTQ+ folks, given the disproportionate levels of discrimination, violence, microaggressions, and more we face.
Brainspotting uses the visual field to determine where trauma or other negative experiences may be “stuck” in the brain. It’s based on the premise of, “where you look determines how you feel.” Meaning if you’re activated around a particular issue and look to your left, you may not feel as activated as when you look to your right. When neurons in the brain “fire together,” they “wire together.” You can think of it as neural pathways being bunched together in a particular area of the brain, kind of like when a muscle of your body is tightened into a knot. Through the brainspotting session, these neural pathways will re-wire through neuroplasticity and unlink from the past traumatic experiences you’ve had, providing you with physiological relief. Ultimately, through brainspotting the brain structure changes on a physical level and begins to heal itself. In fact, some have described brainspotting as “physical therapy for your brain.”
Why we love Brainspotting
Attachment-based methods are at the center of our practice, and Brainspotting is another part of that as the pointer acts as an extension of the therapist. Additionally, Brainspotting does not require external processing, so you are able to determine your own comfort level of processing out loud with your therapist or internally to yourself. This method is based on a non-judgmental and non-assumption model, meaning we trust your body’s innate wisdom to heal itself and work alongside you as you take the lead. Overall, Brainspotting is a gentle approach to trauma treatment that incorporates bilateral stimulation through sound and vibration rooted in autonomy and choice.
What to expect during a Brainspotting session
First, you will choose the crystal ball that goes on the end of the pointer – you may want to use a different crystal each time! From there, you and your therapist will identify a situation, event, issue, or emotion that you will work on during the session. You will bring up the issue, situation, or emotion that you’re working on and activate it on your body; with the help of the therapist, you will find the “spot” with your eyes where you feel it the strongest. Once the spot is found, you will just stay there through the remainder of the session using focused mindfulness and allow yourself to process through emotions, memories, thoughts, and body sensations that the brain brings up while you listen to bilateral music and nature sounds, which helps the left and right hemispheres of your brain process at a deeper level and provides you with supportive relaxation. You can talk as much or as little as you want. Your therapist will be with you throughout the whole session, holding the pointer in place and supporting you as you do this powerful healing work for yourself. Brainspotting sessions typically last 30-45 minutes. If you have more questions or are curious about what to expect, check out our latest blog on Brainspotting.
This service is offered by Ryan DeVane, LCSW, NBCC-H and Amber Robinson, LMSW. Book your free 15-minute consultation here!
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