For those who have experienced trauma, memories of the event itself can produce anxiety and depression and other emotions.  Often that pain becomes more severe and complicated due to the negative self-cognitions that often occur after a traumatic event. 

• Shame – (an attack on one’s identity vs. guilt which addresses behavior) - often shows its ugly face; it preys on people who experience a traumatic event. 
• We believe shame’s lies:  I am stupid, worthless, unlovable.  
• When we experience life through shame-colored glasses, it’s extremely difficult to live fully within our unique God-given design.
• Powerpoint on-line: How do Shame and Trauma Connect? 

   

  
  I am trained to help people assess and deal with those negative self-cognitions that are stored in their brains and continue to run their lives.  One intervention I use is:  EMDR ((Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) 

Here’s brief explanation of EMDR from Francine Shapiro, its founder. 

• Often when something traumatic happens, it seems to get locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and so on.
• Since the experience is locked there, it continues to be triggered whenever a reminder comes up.
• It can be the basis for a lot of discomfort and sometimes a lot of negative emotions, such as fear and helplessness that we can’t seem to control. 
• These are really the emotions connected with the old experience that are being triggered.
• The old material just keeps getting triggered over and over again. 
• In another part of our brain, in a separate network, is most of the information we need to resolve it.  It’s just prevented from linking up to the old stuff.
• Once processing starts with EMDR, the two networks can link up.  New information can come to mind and resolve the old problems.
• The process of having clients follow the therapist’s fingers back and forth with their eyes, or listening to sounds alternating from ear to ear, or having clients tap their knees with their hands alternately – from one knee to the other - seems to unlock the nervous system and allow the brain to process the experience.
• That may be what is happening in REM, or dream, sleep:  The eye movements, tapping, or listening to sounds  may be involved in processing the unconscious material. 

As I use EMDR to help my clients work through their own traumas, I have observed the freedom my clients experience as EMDR is used (as evidenced by their facial expressions, relaxed postures and overall positive, genuine demeanor).  My clients also tell me that they’re gradually transitioning from believing lies about themselves to believing they have great worth.   EMDR has helped my clients more fully live their unique designs. They report that they are released from their negative self-cognitions.  They report that they are better able to do life because of that.

Please give me a call to set up a complimentary session if you’re interested in dealing with shame.  EMDR is just one option we can choose from to release you from its ugly grip.

Pam Merten . . . 414-430-3122. . . Serving Milwaukee County and Waukesha County.