Trauma

Within the phase model of trauma informed treatment approach, any good trauma resolution method can be used. However, we most highly recommend EMDR, which has been found to be the most efficient of the research-supported trauma resolution methods, for adults as well as children. 

 

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) - Our practice has a lot of information on EMDR, because it is well researched, effective, well tolerated, and has been found to be more efficient than the traditional exposure methods (such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, TF-CBT, etc.). EMDR involves having the client concentrate on the worst part of the memory for perhaps half a minute at a time, with bilateral stimulation (BLS). This can be with a client moving his or her eyes back and forth by following the therapist's moving fingers, with TheraTappers, sound modified for BLS, light bar, etc. This is done again and again until all distressing aspects of the memory have been worked through. The brief burst of exposure, combined with the distraction of the eye movements, may help to make the procedure more tolerable.

 

At Therapeutic Choices, we are committed to providing the best, and most effective care. Because of this, All LIMHP therapists are trained in EMDR and pursuing certification through EMDRIA approved trainers.

 

Website Resources:

What is EMDR

Find an EMDR Therapist

 

Worksheets

PTSD - General Information

Learning to Relax

 

 

Anxiety

Anxiety is common and treatable. An anxiety problem does not mean that you are weak or that you are losing your mind or that you have a personality problem. Severe anxiety is a problem that can be overcome with treatment. It does involve challenging and changing thinking patterns.

 

Resources:

Anxiety CBT Worksheet

 

Depression

Depression is a common but serious illness. Everyone occasionally feels down or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days, or even a few weeks. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior appear different.  A person who has clinical depression simply cannot "just get over it", but many times, require the help of a trained professional to help.

 

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Eagala Equine Assisted Therapy

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Client-centered.

Solution-oriented.

Evidence-driven.

The Eagala Model is so effective because it embraces the science that humans learn best by doing. The model prescribes a hands-on approach where clients are given the space to project and analyze their situations, make connections, and find their own solutions. 

Since the solutions are personally experienced in conjunction with intellectual understanding, they tend to be deeper, more profound, and longer lasting.

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How it works.

The Eagala Model is a team approach that includes a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional, and a qualifed Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client at all times.

When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish.

This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.

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Why Horses?

Intelligent Prey Animals

To evade predators, horses have evolved to be extremely sensitive to their environment. They instinctively analyze and react to our body language and other nonverbal cues providing us with valuable feedback and insights for other areas of our lives.

Large and Powerful

It's hard to ignore a horse with their size and presence. We can't just control a powerful horse. Approaching horses helps us reflect on how we approach our relationships, and how we can face other big or overwhelming things in our lives.

Herd Animals with Distinct Personalities

Horses are social animals with defined roles within a herd. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. They could be stubborn or they could be playful. In other words, horses are a lot like us.