Finding Freedom from Unwanted Patterns and Painful Memories

One of the most challenging aspects of trauma is that it can create unwanted behavioral patterns. You may find yourself reacting to situations in ways you don’t understand or making choices that seem contrary to your goals and values. Trauma’s impact on the brain can lead to these patterns, as the brain’s survival mechanisms kick in to protect you from perceived threats—even when those threats no longer exist.

Brain-based trauma therapies like EMDR and Brainspotting can help by targeting trauma stored within the brain’s deeper structures, such as the limbic system. This approach allows clients to process traumatic memories safely, without the need to verbally recount every painful detail. Studies show that EMDR can effectively reduce these “stuck” patterns, with benefits lasting long after therapy has concluded (van der Kolk et al., 2007). Brainspotting, too, has demonstrated efficacy in helping clients gain freedom from repetitive thoughts and behaviors, improving their ability to respond to life with greater flexibility and peace (Corrigan & Grand, 2013).

Clients in my practice often experience breakthroughs in areas where they’ve felt “stuck” for years. They report healthier relationships, improved emotional regulation, and the ability to respond to stressors in ways that align with their values and goals.

Resources:

• van der Kolk, B., et al. (2007). A Randomized Clinical Trial of EMDR for PTSD.

• Corrigan, F., & Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for access to implicit self.