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Harnessing EMDR Therapy for Treating Trauma in Highly Sensitive Individuals

7/10/2023

 

Introduction

​Trauma affects millions of people worldwide, and its consequences can be profound and long-lasting. For highly sensitive individuals, who possess an enhanced capacity to perceive and process emotional stimuli, trauma can be particularly overwhelming. However, there is a therapeutic approach that holds promise for treating trauma in highly sensitive people—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In this article, we will explore how EMDR can be a valuable tool in the psychotherapeutic journey of highly sensitive individuals.

Understanding Highly Sensitive Individuals

Highly sensitive individuals possess a unique temperament characterized by heightened emotional responsiveness and sensory processing. They are more acutely attuned to their internal and external environments, experiencing emotions more intensely and perceiving subtleties that others may miss. Consequently, traumatic events can have a profound impact on their well-being, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation.

The Efficacy of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a psychotherapeutic approach specifically designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic experiences. Initially developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has since gained recognition and empirical support as an effective treatment for trauma-related disorders. Highly sensitive individuals can benefit from EMDR due to its unique ability to promote emotional healing while respecting their heightened sensitivities.

EMDR and Sensory Processing Sensitivity

​One of the key advantages of EMDR for highly sensitive individuals lies in its capacity to work within the individual's sensory processing preferences. In EMDR sessions, bilateral stimulation is employed, traditionally using eye movements, which engage both hemispheres of the brain. However, for highly sensitive individuals who may be more sensitive to visual or auditory stimulation, alternative bilateral stimulation methods such as tactile pulsers or auditory tones can be used. By customizing the stimulation, EMDR can accommodate the specific sensory needs of highly sensitive individuals, ensuring a comfortable and effective therapeutic experience.

Enhancing Emotional Regulation

​EMDR therapy assists highly sensitive individuals in navigating and regulating their intense emotional experiences. Through a structured process, EMDR allows individuals to revisit traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This technique facilitates the integration of distressing emotions, thoughts, and sensations with adaptive information, enabling the individual to reprocess the trauma in a safe and controlled environment. As a result, highly sensitive individuals can develop more adaptive coping mechanisms, diminish the intensity of emotional triggers, and gain a greater sense of emotional stability.

Building Resilience and Self-Empowerment

​For highly sensitive individuals, regaining a sense of personal empowerment is crucial in the healing process. EMDR therapy helps individuals access and develop internal resources to facilitate post-traumatic growth. Through the identification and strengthening of positive beliefs, EMDR assists in reframing negative self-perceptions that may have arisen from the trauma. As a result, highly sensitive individuals can cultivate a stronger sense of resilience, self-worth, and self-compassion, empowering them to overcome the impact of their traumatic experiences.

Conclusion

Trauma can significantly impact the lives of highly sensitive individuals, but EMDR therapy offers a ray of hope. By providing a tailored approach that acknowledges the unique needs and sensitivities of highly sensitive individuals, EMDR allows for effective trauma treatment while minimizing potential overwhelm. Through this powerful therapeutic method, highly sensitive individuals can embark on a journey of healing, fostering emotional resilience, and reclaiming their lives from the shadows of trauma. If you are a highly sensitive individual grappling with the aftermath of trauma, consulting with a qualified EMDR therapist may be an invaluable step towards your recovery and well-being.

New Movie: Sensitive and In Love

12/30/2019

 
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Sensitive and In Love

Sensitive and In Love is a new movie premiering on January 29th 2020 by bestselling author -psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron (THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON); one of the world’s leading scientists of love and relationships, author of 36 QUESTIONS – Dr. Arthur Aron; Sensitive and in Love’s Emmy award-winning director Will Harper; producer Diana Sinelnikova; and members of the cast – Jose Rosete and Bianca Rogoff.

Sensitive and in Love follows in the footsteps of the original documentary Sensitive-The Untold Story featuring Alanis Morissette (2015).

Over 1.4 billion people on this planet are highly sensitive and they are changing the way we view the world. Sensitive and in Love captures another side of a highly sensitive person and is a film not to be missed!

What is high sensitivity? In not only our species, but over a hundred others, a minority of individuals come with an inborn survival strategy of greater sensitivity to what is going on around them. The foundation of the trait, found in 20%, is DOES: Depth of processing, being easily overstimulated, emotional responsiveness, including intense empathy, and sensitivity to the subtleties. Often misunderstood, highly sensitive people can be called “too sensitive”, “too shy”, “too high maintenance”. Without the understanding of this innate trait, many couples and families struggle in the dark with this feature of their lives. Sensitive and in Love will help bring some light to this darkness.

Our team feels passionate about this film. Mainly because the first film, Sensitive—The Untold Story, which was a groundbreaking documentary on the subject of high sensitivity, provided insight into the central features of the trait and research on it. Sensitive and In Love, a feature film,  focuses on what perhaps matters most: how high sensitivity affects your relationships with loved ones.

STORY:

What do you do when you feel you are born with an unbearable flaw, and you don’t know yet that you share it with 1.4 billion people.  Rob and Jessica grew up feeling just that. Inspired by the international bestseller, The Highly Sensitive Person and global media sensation 36 Questions that lead to love, SENSITIVE AND IN LOVE tells their story. Besides their sensitivity, the brother and sister share a traumatic childhood.  Jessica is an accomplished writer in San Francisco, but every one of her romantic relationships have crashed and burned.  Rob, a successful music producer in Manila, has a seemingly happy marriage, but it is headed for a cliff.  Robbie insists Jessica comes to the Philippines for a much-needed break. While there, a single mistake opens Jessica to the world and a terrifying moment for Robbie opens him to a real family connection.


Watch the trailer here. https://vimeo.com/328766462​

Sensitivity Summit

9/16/2019

 
Melissa Schwartz, Author, Coach, and Public Speaker, is holding a Sensitivity Summit with dozens of great speakers.
Register for the Summit
15-25% of the population is highly sensitive. That means 1 in 5 people share this genetic trait!

More than a billion HSPs are walking around on the planet right now!!!

This free summit was created for highly sensitive adults and parents of highly sensitive children.

Register to get access to the world’s leading voices in high sensitivity who have gathered together for an unprecedented event!

Starting on September 16th you’ll receive a daily email with a link to view a new conversation with a leader in the field of high sensitivity.

You’ll be able to watch the videos from any device that connects to the internet.

Register at thesensitivitysummit.com 

Movie Screening: Sensitive - The Untold Story

6/25/2018

 
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Description

A groundbreaking documentary about the temperament trait of high sensitivity found in 20% of the population in both men and women. Based on the findings of bestselling author-psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron ("The Highly Sensitive Person")

Open to everyone.

Presented by Catherine M. Blake, LPC and Scott F. Olds, RP

Call Cathy at ​(303) 464-9803 or Scott at (303) 817-8369 for more information.

​Buy DVD Here.

Date and Time

Sun, July 22, 2018
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM MDT

Location

​Standley Lake Library, Meeting Room

8485 Kipling St

Arvada, CO 80005

Reservations

Event Reservation

Workshop: Relationships And The Highly Sensitive Person!

11/14/2017

 
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I am excited to announce:
"Relationships And The Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)",
a three-session workshop for couples.

Purpose: To learn about HSPs in relationships, improve your communication skills, and learn tools for resolving conflict as HSPs.​
Counselors: This event will be co-lead by me, Cathy M. Blake, and Scott F. Olds, a fellow counselor and my partner in life.
Workshop Sessions:
  • Session 1 - Introduction to the HSP, the HSP test, relationships and the HSP
  • Session 2 - Partner communication and the HSP
  • Session 3 - Conflict management and the HSP, closure
Location: 10960 West 65th Way, Arvada, CO 80004
Dates: February 10, 17, and 24, 2018 - all Saturdays​​
Times: 10 AM to noon
Who can attend: Couples only. Couples are required to attend all three sessions. A maximum of five couples will be accepted, so make your reservation now!
Total cost: $90 per couple for all three sessions

Call Cathy at (303) 464-9803 to see if this workshop is appropriate for you.

    Author

    Catherine M. Blake, MA, LPC
    Cathy writes about highly sensitive people, trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other therapy topics as they strike her fancy.

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Call Cathy at (303) 464-9803 for a free phone evaluation.

Email: [email protected]
Remote Sessions: 
I offer phone consultations and video sessions for your convenience and safety.
Rates:
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