EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that assists in a person’s healing. When stressful or traumatic events happen, an individual may experience a mirage of challenging symptoms. EMDR aids the client in healing from these symptoms. In a typical EMDR session, the clinician will guide the client in identifying what target event to work on. Then, while the client focuses on the upsetting event, the clinician uses lateral eye movements and a tasked protocol/procedure to assist the client in reprocessing the distressing event.

SE is an approach to therapy that aims to resolve symptoms caused by stress, shock, and trauma. A typical SE session includes: education on how the nervous system works, an assessment of different events that occurred in a client’s life (both positive and negative) and the clinician tracking how the client’s nervous system responds as they talk about these events. In SE, the goal is to allow the nervous system to experience dysregulation and regulation through a process called pendulation. Pendulation is when the clinician guides the client from pleasant to unpleasant life experiences and allows the nervous system to move more slowly and adaptively as these events are revisited.

Sand Tray Therapy is a therapeutic technique that allows a client to show their feelings rather than articulate them. In a typical Sand Tray therapy session, the client will be invited to choose different miniatures or figurines to create a story that represents what they would like to work on in therapy. Then the client builds their world in the sand tray. This process may help a client become aware of past challenges or life events that are unresolved and assist in their healing journey.

Polyvagal Theory is a theoretical framework that spotlights the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and its role in clinical care. It focuses on neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and helps the clinician and client establish feelings of safety and connection within the therapeutic space. As mammals, we are on a lifelong quest to feel safe. This is embedded in our DNA and is experienced through the autonomic nervous system. As clinicians, it is imperative to have a guiding neurophysiological framework that informs our clinical practice when it comes to working with clients because if we are working with clients, then we are working with their nervous system!

IFS is an approach to psychotherapy that embraces the distinct parts that make up a person’s mental system. These parts are like inner voices and evolve out of past life events that were stressful or traumatic in nature. Each part has a distinct function and may hold feelings of shame, anger, and hurt. IFS informed psychotherapy helps a client identify their own unique parts and understand what feelings and beliefs they hold about themselves and their outside world.