Combining the best of two therapies, yes please!!
Understanding Complex Childhood Trauma
Experiences like prolonged abuse, neglect, or disrupted attachments during childhood can leave deep emotional scars. These often manifest later in life as chronic anxiety, depression, dissociation, or difficulties in relationships. Traditional therapies might address some symptoms, but they often fall short in tackling the intricate layers of such trauma.
Schema Therapy: Unraveling Deep-Seated Patterns
Schema Therapy focuses on identifying and transforming deeply ingrained maladaptive schemas—self-defeating emotional and cognitive patterns formed during early life experiences. These schemas, such as feelings of abandonment, mistrust, or unworthiness, can persist into adulthood, influencing behavior and relationships.
Dr. Azri emphasizes that Schema Therapy targets these maladaptive patterns, helping individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and behaviors (click here for a reminder on Schema therapy).
EMDR: Processing Traumatic Memories
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy approach designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. It utilizes bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements—to facilitate the processing of traumatic events, enabling individuals to integrate these experiences adaptively.
According to Dr. Azri, EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and allowing individuals to adopt more positive beliefs about themselves.
The Power of Combining Schema Therapy and EMDR
Integrating Schema Therapy and EMDR offers a comprehensive approach to healing:
Enhanced Emotional Processing: Schema Therapy aids in understanding and articulating emotional patterns stemming from early experiences, while EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of specific traumatic memories associated with these patterns.
Strengthening the Healthy Adult Mode: Schema Therapy aims to develop a ‘Healthy Adult’ mode that can nurture and protect the vulnerable parts of the self. EMDR supports this by resolving past traumas that hinder the development of this mode.
Addressing Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms: Both therapies work to identify and modify maladaptive coping strategies, such as avoidance or overcompensation, replacing them with healthier responses.
Dr. Azri notes that combining these therapies can lead to significant reductions in maladaptive schema modes and improvements in adaptive functioning, with sustained benefits observed over time.
🤝 Working with Dr. Stephanie Azri🤝
Dr. Stephanie Azri is a clinical social worker with over two decades of experience in clinical counselling. She is an accredited EMDR clinician and a certified schema therapist, specializing in the impact of trauma across various life stages.
Dr. Azri offers personalized therapy sessions, integrating Schema Therapy and EMDR to address complex trauma. Her approach is tailored to each individual’s unique experiences and needs. Embarking on the journey to heal from childhood trauma is courageous. With the combined power of Schema Therapy and EMDR, guided by professionals like Dr. Azri, lasting healing is within reach.
For more information or to schedule a session, visit www.stephanieazri.com.
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