Trauma Services
At Global Minds Psychology, we are committed to providing effective and compassionate care for individuals dealing with trauma. Our specialised EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and trauma services are designed to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences, enabling you to move forward with confidence and resilience.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma can result from various distressing experiences, including but not limited to:
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Accidents
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Physical or emotional abuse
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Natural disasters
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Combat or military experiences
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Sexual assault
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Sudden loss of a loved one
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These experiences can have a lasting impact on mental and emotional well-being, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and difficulty in daily functioning. Addressing trauma with the right therapeutic approach is crucial for healing and recovery.
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Trauma-Informed Care
We utilise a trauma-informed care model, which means we recognise the widespread impact of trauma and understand potential paths for recovery. This approach involves:
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Safety: Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of clients.
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Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust through clear and consistent communication.
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Peer Support: Encouraging connection with others who have lived experiences of trauma.
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Collaboration and Mutuality: Working together with clients, acknowledging their expertise in their own lives.
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Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Empowering clients to take control of their healing process.
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Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Recognising and addressing the unique cultural and identity-related aspects of trauma.
Treatment Approaches
We use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to address trauma, including:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps clients reframe negative thought patterns and develop healthier behaviours.
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Effective for reducing the distress associated with traumatic memories.
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness practices to help clients manage emotions and improve relationships.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them.
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Schema Therapy: Focuses on identifying and changing deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behaviour that were developed during childhood.
Types of Trauma We Treat
We are equipped to handle a wide range of traumatic experiences, including but not limited to:
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Type 1 Trauma (Acute Trauma): Such as accidents, assaults, natural disasters, and sudden loss.
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Type 2 Trauma (Chronic Trauma): Including ongoing domestic violence, childhood abuse, and chronic bullying.
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Historical, Collective, or Intergenerational Trauma: Resulting from significant historical events like war, genocide, slavery, and colonisation.
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Vicarious or Secondary Trauma: Experienced by those who support trauma survivors, such as therapists and first responders.
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Little (t) Trauma: Everyday occurrences that can accumulate over time, such as financial stress, minor accidents, and relationship conflicts.
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Minority Stress and Identity-Based Trauma: Stemming from discrimination, stigma, or violence based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
Special Focus Areas
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Minority Stress and Intersectional Identities: We pay special attention to the unique challenges faced by individuals with intersecting minority identities, providing tailored support to address the compounded effects of discrimination and social exclusion.
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Sexual Health and Intimacy Issues: We provide a safe space to address concerns related to sexual health, intimacy, and relationships, including those experienced by the LGBT community.
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Support for Expatriates: Understanding the unique stressors faced by expatriates, we offer specialised support for adjusting to new environments and managing cross-cultural challenges.
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Law Enforcement and National Security Professionals: We offer targeted support for individuals in high-stress professions who may experience vicarious trauma and occupational stress.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps individuals process and recover from traumatic memories and experiences. It involves a series of guided eye movements that help the brain reprocess traumatic information, reducing the emotional impact and helping individuals integrate these experiences in a healthier way.
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Key Components of EMDR:
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Assessment: Identifying and understanding the traumatic memories and their impact.
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Desensitisation: Using bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories.
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Installation: Strengthening positive beliefs associated with the memory.
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Body Scan: Identifying and processing any residual physical sensations related to the trauma.
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While assessment and planning phases are completed during standard sessions, EMDR treatment phases are completed during 90-minute sessions either in-person or online.