EMDR & Trauma Work
Accepting both in-person and virtual therapy clients in Minnesota.
Mindful Wellbeing offers transformative Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients on their healing journey. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy developed in the 1980’s to focus on resolving negative beliefs we may have about ourselves from traumatic or distressing life experiences. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps individuals process and resolve traumatic memories and experiences by accessing the brain's natural healing mechanisms.
Using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or auditory tones, while recalling distressing memories or experiences, the brain can begin to heal from trauma and distress by activating its own inherent ability to heal (coined the Adaptive Information Processing system by the developer of EMDR, Francine Shapiro). Through repeated sets of bilateral stimulation, clients are able to desensitize and reprocess traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and integrate new insights and perspectives.
EMDR is a foundational component to services provided at Mindful Wellbeing. Mandy Wannarka, the clinic owner, is an Approved Consultant and certified in EMDR with EMDRIA. Together with those trained in EMDR, we are pleased to integrate this trauma conscious modality with many of our sessions. Please click HERE to visit the EMDRIA website to learn more about EMDR.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma can have a profound impact on the mind, body, and spirit. Our dedicated therapists are here to offer compassionate support, understanding, and healing as you navigate the effects of trauma and reclaim your sense of wellbeing.
Trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience that can result from a wide range of events, including accidents, natural disasters, abuse, violence, neglect, medical emergencies, and more. Trauma overwhelms the body's natural coping mechanisms, leaving individuals feeling powerless, helpless, and deeply shaken. Trauma can disrupt a person's sense of safety, trust, and connection to others, and it can have lasting effects on physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
The Neurobiology of Trauma
Trauma impacts the brain and nervous system in profound ways, triggering a cascade of physiological responses designed to help us survive in the face of danger. When we experience trauma, the body's stress response system, including the amygdala and the hypothalamus, becomes activated, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body to fight, flee, or freeze in response to perceived threat, mobilizing energy, and increasing alertness and arousal.
In cases of severe or chronic trauma, the body's stress response system can become dysregulated, leading to ongoing feelings of anxiety, hypervigilance, and hyperarousal. Trauma can also impact the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning, leading to difficulties with memory consolidation and retrieval.
Trauma is not only stored in the mind but also in the body, as sensory memories, emotions, and physical sensations become encoded and stored in the nervous system. These somatic memories can manifest as chronic pain, tension, digestive issues, headaches, and other physical symptoms. The body's response to trauma can become stuck or frozen in a state of hyperarousal, leading to ongoing feelings of distress and discomfort. These physical symptoms will continue to demand attention until the trauma is addressed and processed.
Benefits of Therapy for Trauma
Reduced feelings of anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, and other painful emotions associated with trauma.
Practical coping skills, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness practices to manage stress, regulate emotions, and reduce reactivity.
Insight into the underlying beliefs, patterns, and triggers that contribute to their trauma-related symptoms and behaviors.
Increased resilience, adaptive coping strategies, and a sense of empowerment and agency in their lives.
Restore a sense of safety and connection in one’s body and mind.
At Mindful Wellbeing, we are committed to providing compassionate and specialized therapy services to support individuals in healing from trauma. Our therapists are trained in a variety of trauma-informed therapy approaches, including EMDR and mindfulness-based therapies, and we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each client. If you're ready to begin your journey of healing from trauma, we're here to support you every step of the way.