Offering therapy to adults who are ready to embrace positive growth and well-being
Phone: 0405 660 993
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS / TRTP / ACT
TRAUMA INFORMED - AN EXPLANATION
There are exciting developments in the understanding of the protective power of the human brain and its neuroplastic capacity.
Poly-Vagal Theory contends the body's autonomic nervous system (ANS) works tirelessly to protect us. ANS is constantly scanning our environment for signs of safety or threat. Structures deep within the brain work together to operate our own personal security alarm system. The thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala work in collaboration, at a deeply unconscious level, registering, assessing and coding information as 'safe' or 'not safe'. When information is registered as 'not safe' memories are kept 'on line' to help the security system recognise ongoing threats early so that a quick reaction can be activated to keep us safe. This is the 'fight flight' response.
The fight flight response is both useful and critical for survival. It bypasses 'thinking' and means we can take action immediately without delay.
Problems can arise for individuals when the fight flight response remains activated long after the actual event has passed. The autonomic nervous system can remain switched on, alert, and ready to activate an escape or fight response even when the event is over. Across time this 'activation readiness' drains our internal energy and leads to the emergence of symptoms.
Symptoms can be psychological (eg: anxiety, depression) and also physical (eg: chronic unexplained pain, cognitive or physical fatigue, sensory discomfort).
We now know symptoms can resolve when the person is guided through a corrective experience of empowerment - an experience that updates the security system and communicates to the brain and the body that 'the event is over and the person is now safe'. When the update is registered the memory can then shift from being held online as a defence mechanism to the long term memory store as something that happened in the past that is not directly impacting our safety right now. The memory remains, the distress disappears, symptoms resolve, and there is more internal calm. Situations that were once triggering are no longer triggering.
IFS and TRTP are two of the many new and emerging therapies that provide opportunity for this corrective response and opportunity for memory reconsolidation.
short term therapy
The Richards Trauma Process (TRTP) is a short term trauma-informed therapy that targets depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, fears and phobias. TRTP is delivered in 3 phases across 3 consecutive weeks. Post TRTP progress is monitored across two review sessions, which are scheduled one-month and three-months after completion of the therapy.
TRTP offers a safe, quick and effective opportunity for your body and your mind to heal by learning that the old distressing events are over and in the past, and that the threat is no longer present. TRTP connects you to a sense of empowerment so that your body and mind can register an experience of safety and your inbuilt safety mechanisms can return to a state of calm. TRTP can achieve psychological wellness without the need to re-live the specific details of distressing past events. This is not talking therapy. Change can occur without unpacking or reliving all the dreadfulness of the past.
Many people who complete TRTP feel instantly ready to cease therapy and engage in life with a new sense of positivity, possibility, and emotional flexibility. Others choose to commence longer term therapy for ongoing personal growth and self-discovery, or for support and assistance with ongoing challenges in their life.
longer term counselling
Longer term therapy is available for people who want to improve psychological wellness, build confidence, and live their best life. Catherine practices a range of modalities including Internal Family Systems (IFS Level 1 training); Interpersonal Processing Therapy: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, (ACT); Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT); and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - each designed to help people improve health and wellness, achieve life goals, improve confidence, and form positive relationships.