EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective treatment for all types of trauma. EMDR is different from talk therapy. Instead of focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, and behaviours resulting from the distressing issue, it focuses more on the body, specifically the brain and the nervous system. EMDR includes a body-based therapy technique, known as bilateral stimulation. This technique involves alternately stimulating the left and right sides of your brain in order to move the traumatic material to a different area of the brain which allows the trauma to be processed effectively. Bilateral stimulation can involve eye movements, tapping, walking, auditory tones, or others.

Polyvagal theory suggests that the autonomic nervous system is the foundation of good mental health. Instead of subscribing to the belief that our thoughts dictate the state of our nervous system, polyvagal theory suggests that the state of our nervous system dictates our thoughts. Therefore, instead of intervening in our cognition (changing our thoughts), applied polyvagal theory focuses on helping our nervous systems experience a felt sense of safety and connection.

Positive psychology has been defined as the study of what makes life worth living. Positive psychology has a focus on strengths rather than weaknesses or deficits, and aims to build the good in life rather than repairing the bad. In other words, the goal of positive psychology interventions is to support people in achieving great lives, rather than focusing solely on helping those who are struggling achieve “baseline” or “normal.” A goal of positive psychology strategies is to cultivate positive states and experiences, such as joy, inspiration, love, gratitude, resilience, compassion and flow (the experience of being completely absorbed in a stimulating or challenging but rewarding activity). Positive psychology aims to emphasize what is life-giving rather than life-depleting.

Nutritional Psychiatry is the use of nutrition to optimize brain health and to promote mental wellness. Nutritional Psychiatry uses nutrition to focus on 2 primary mechanisms: Inflammation Neuroplasticity Nutrition that aligns with traditional dietary patterns can be used to reduce inflammation and increase neuroplasticity. Research has demonstrated a correlation between inflammation and many mental health concerns; specifically depression and anxiety. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Neuroplasticity allows us to change our habits and our mindset. There is an abundance of research linking neuroplasticity to healthy brain function.