Hi there, I'm Gabrielle Kawashima, a licensed trauma therapist and the owner of Even Here Therapy. The field of therapy is evolving, with increasing research around brain-focused therapies offering powerful alternatives to traditional talk therapy. Working with individuals who have experienced traumatic and overwhelming experiences is my specialty and I've witnessed firsthand how approaches like Brainspotting and somatic experiencing can help clients achieve profound healing, often more quickly than with conventional therapy.
Limitations of Traditional Talk Therapy for Trauma
Talk therapy focuses on verbal expression and our conscious processing of experiences. While talk therapy can be beneficial in many ways, it isn't enough to properly address trauma.
Trauma is Stored in the Subconscious
Talk therapy predominately uses the prefrontal cortex, which is our thinking brain or the rational and conscious part. Trauma on the other had, is stored in the subcortical brain (especially the limbic system) as well as somatically in the body. Trauma often creates implicit, nonverbal memories that can't be fully processed just through talking about them. One of the benefits of brain-based modalities is that it helps clients connect with the deeper aspects of trauma. For those that struggle to articulate their feelings, struggle to feel present in their bodies, just talking about painful events can actually hinder progress.
What Are Brain-Focused Therapies?
Brain-focused therapies aim to access and address the impacts of trauma that are stored in the brain and the body. Techniques like EMDR, Brainspotting (which allows for subcortical trauma processing), and somatic experiencing work directly with the subcortical brain and the nervous system.
〰️ Direct Access to Trauma: Brain-focused therapies bypass the thinking brain to get directly at the roots of trauma. For example, Brainspotting Therapy uses spots in the visual field to uncover emotions (the emotional brain), memories (verbal and non-verbal), and somatic sensations. For some, intellectualizing their difficulties can actually be a coping mechanism that gets in the way of their progress. Using a method of counseling that facilitates feeling your way through and connecting with your somatic sensations may actually be what is needed.
〰️ Faster Results: Many clients experience significant shifts in fewer sessions compared to talk therapy, as brain-focused approaches often resolve issues at their root. Brain-focused treatment can also allow you to work with blocks or things that seem to keep coming up and creating difficulties in your progress.
〰️ Nonverbal Processing: Another benefit to trauma-focused therapies that use a bottom-up (brain-focused) approach is that they allow for clients to address trauma without having to talk through it. It can also support clients who struggle to articulate things or who may feel stuck in talk therapy.
〰️ Mind-Body Integration: Techniques like somatic experiencing work with the body's natural processes to release stored tension and trauma. Many people who have experienced trauma can struggle to feel present in their bodies or feel disconnected and numb at times. They can also improve your ability to feel into your body so that you can listen to the somatic sensations more.
Talk therapy in many ways is a valuable tool, however, if you keep running into the same patterns or struggle to make changes, you may need more. Brain-focused therapies offer a deeper, faster path to healing for trauma survivors. By targeting trauma where it's held - in the brain and in the body - these innovative approaches empower clients to process and release pain in ways that traditional methods don't allow for.
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If you're interested in individual therapy, reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. I would love to see if we are the right fit for each other, and if not, support you in finding the therapist that is right for you (:
Take care out there.
Hi there. I’m Gabrielle Kawashima, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Brainspotting Therapist. I have a passion for working with childhood and complex trauma, people who've learned to prioritize others over themselves (helpers), and working with emergency and first responders. If you’re interested in working with me, click below to set up a free consultation (:
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