Modalities
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from trauma, stress, and emotional difficulties by focusing on the connection between their body and mind. It is based on the idea that trauma and negative experiences are not just stored in our thoughts and emotions but also in our bodies.
How It Works:
- Body Awareness – Instead of only talking about problems, SP helps people notice how their bodies react to emotions. For example, someone feeling anxious might clench their jaw or tense their shoulders without realizing it.
- Regulating the Nervous System – Trauma can cause the body to get stuck in a state of fight, flight, or freeze. SP helps people recognize these responses and learn ways to calm their bodies and feel safe again.
- Movement and Mindfulness – The therapist guides the person to move, breathe, or position their body in ways that release tension and shift emotions. This helps them process trauma in a gentle, non-verbal way.
- Integrating Thoughts and Feelings – Once the body feels safer, it becomes easier for a person to reflect on their experiences, change negative thought patterns, and feel more in control of their emotions.
Who It Helps:
SP is especially useful for people dealing with:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic stress
- Emotional dysregulation
- Attachment issues (difficulty in relationships)
Why It’s Different:
Traditional talk therapy focuses on thoughts and emotions, while SP actively involves the body in healing. It is based on neuroscience and helps people “rewire” their nervous
system to respond to stress in a healthier way.
Brainspotting (BSP) – A Simple Breakdown
Brainspotting (BSP) is a type of therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma, stress, and emotional pain by using eye positions to access deeper parts of the brain. It is based on the idea that where you look affects how you feel.
How It Works:
- Finding the “Brainspot” – The therapist helps the person find a specific eye
position (a “brainspot”) that is linked to a traumatic memory or emotional distress.
This spot is found by noticing where the eyes naturally go when thinking about a
difficult experience. - Tapping Into the Deeper Brain – Brainspotting works with the subcortical brain,
the part that holds trauma and emotions that might not be fully processed by
thinking or talking alone. It bypasses overthinking and helps access stored
emotions and physical reactions. - Processing the Experience – Once the brainspot is found, the person focuses on it
while allowing emotions, thoughts, and body sensations to come up naturally. The
therapist may use bilateral sounds (gentle rhythmic tones in headphones) or
quiet support to help the process. - Healing and Releasing Trauma – Instead of forcing a person to relive trauma in
detail, BSP allows their brain and body to process it in a natural, non-verbal way.
This can lead to emotional relief, reduced physical symptoms, and a sense of calm.
Who It Helps:
BSP is effective for people dealing with:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic pain or physical tension
- Performance issues (athletes, musicians, public speakers)
- Emotional dysregulation
Why It’s Different:
- Unlike traditional talk therapy, BSP works directly with the brain and nervous system without needing detailed discussions.
- It is gentle and allows the body to process at its own pace.
- It can bring up hidden memories and emotions that might not come up in regular therapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A Simple Breakdown
EMDR is a therapy designed to help people heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing experiences by using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to reprocess difficult memories. It helps the brain “rewire” how it stores painful experiences, making them feel less overwhelming over time.
How It Works:
- Identifying the Target Memory – The therapist and client choose a distressing memory or issue to focus on, including the emotions, body sensations, and negative beliefs tied to it.
- Bilateral Stimulation (Eye Movements, Taps, or Sounds) – The therapist guides the client’s eyes back and forth (or sometimes uses gentle tapping or sounds in alternating ears). This helps activate both sides of the brain, similar to how memories are processed during REM sleep.
- Processing the Memory – As the client follows the movements, their brain begins to naturally process and reframe the traumatic memory. They don’t have to forcefully recall details—it happens organically as their brain reorganizes the experience.
- Shifting to Positive Beliefs – Once the distress around the memory fades, the therapist helps the client replace negative thoughts (like “I’m helpless”) with positive ones (like “I’m strong and safe”).
Who It Helps:
EMDR is highly effective for:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
- Phobias
- Chronic pain
- Grief and loss
Why It’s Different:
- Unlike talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require a person to talk in detail about their trauma.
- It works quickly for many people—sometimes in just a few sessions.
- It helps the brain naturally heal itself, rather than just managing symptoms.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – A Simple Breakdown
IFS is a type of therapy that helps people understand and heal their inner world by viewing the mind as made up of different “parts.” These parts are like an internal family, each with its own thoughts, feelings, and roles. IFS helps bring harmony to these parts and connect with the “Self,” a wise, calm core that we all have.
How It Works:
- Identifying the Parts – The therapist guides the client to notice and name different “parts” of themselves. For example, one part might feel anxious, while another part feels angry or protective.
- Understanding Their Roles – Each part has a reason for being there, often developed as a way to cope with past experiences. Some parts might try to protect us (protectors), while others hold pain or shame (exiles).
- Building a Relationship with the Parts – The client learns to approach their parts with curiosity and compassion, rather than judgment. This helps parts feel understood and willing to share their burdens.
- Accessing the “Self” – The Self is the core, wise, compassionate part of us. Through IFS, the client strengthens their connection to the Self, which helps lead and heal the other parts.
- Healing and Unburdening – The therapist helps parts release painful emotions or beliefs they’ve been carrying. This leads to relief and more internal harmony, as parts no longer feel stuck in old roles
Who It Helps:
IFS is beneficial for:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-esteem and identity issues
- Relationship struggles
- Addiction and compulsive behaviors
Why It’s Different:
- Non-pathologizing: IFS views all parts as valuable, even if their behavior seems harmful.
- Empowering: It helps people become their own healers by accessing their inner wisdom (the Self).
- Integrative: It works with the whole system of the person’s mind, not just isolated symptoms.
Anchored Relational Therapy
Anchored Relational Therapy, formerly known as the AIR Network Model, is a neurodevelopmental, competency-based therapeutic approach designed to help individuals heal from complex trauma and neglect. It emphasizes understanding the neurological impacts of trauma and focuses on building internal resources to foster healing.
How It Works
- Creating Context and Resource Stabilization: In this initial phase, clients are educated about the neurology of trauma and the components of Anchored Relational Therapy. The focus is on recognizing and strengthening resilience, competence, and understanding core survival strategies. Clients learn to identify and label different parts of themselves, memories, and conditioning, which enhances internal safety. A key concept introduced is Interactive Present Awareness, helping clients engage with their most resourced selves during sessions.
- Developing Networks and Anchored Resourcing: This phase emphasizes building Adaptive Internal Relational Networks—neurological structures and relational systems that enable clients to maintain a present-oriented relationship with all aspects of themselves. By integrating Interactive Present Awareness with these
networks, clients enhance their sense of competence and mastery in their healing journey. - Future Resilience and/or Memory Processing: In the final phase, clients decide whether to process specific traumatic memories. Some may choose to keep memories contained without intrusion into daily life, while others may opt for memory work at a later time. This decision-making process empowers clients, reinforcing a framework of free will and choice. Positive experiences of self are reinforced through Anchored Resourcing Strategies, contributing to future resilience.
Who It Helps
Anchored Relational Therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing:
- Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
- Dissociative disorders
- Chronic anxiety or depression linked to past trauma
- Difficulties in maintaining present-oriented relationships with themselves and others
Why It’s Different
- Neurological Foundation: Anchored Relational Therapy is grounded in an understanding of developmental neurology and information processing, recognizing how trauma affects neural networks and relational experiences.
- Competency-Based Approach: The therapy emphasizes clients’ strengths and resilience, viewing survival strategies as adaptive responses to past experiences.
- Empowerment and Choice: Clients are encouraged to make informed decisions about their healing process, fostering a sense of autonomy and control.
By focusing on the interplay between neurology, development, and relational dynamics, Anchored Relational Therapy offers a comprehensive framework for individuals seeking to heal from complex trauma and build a more integrated sense of self.