You can rewrite a traumatic memory. Important events are stored in the brain as a combination of the facts and an associated feeling. Scientists are hoping to treat trauma by manipulating neurotensin levels in the brain, but there is another way. Trauma therapists have known for many years that it is possible to regenerate images in memory, and neuroscience is slowing discovering what happens in the brain.
It turns out that every time we access a memory, it gets weaker. Normally, we automatically re-write the same memory. That’s why we don’t notice the process. But when working with a therapist in a situation of emotional safety, we can re-write the memory with a different feeling.
If you want to know more about this process, and how it can help you, I’ll be happy to tell you more. You can book a time to talk at no cost on my website. I hope to hear from you.
Our anti-bullying policies have a huge blind spot: The victim. It is bad enough that only 30% of bullies are called out, but it is a disgrace that only 10% of bullying victims receive any help.
Some people can shake off the effects of bullying, but it might take 30 years. That’s how long it took me to heal myself. Many people I see in my practice have also suffered from the after-effects of bullying for decades. We must train at least one person in each school in basic trauma therapy. I do my part by teaching the RIM method, but I find school systems are unwilling to invest in helping bullying victims. If you are a parent, ask your school what they do to help bullying victims. Unless we all demand a change, nothing will happen.
Some people are cutting back on therapy to save money. If you have unprocessed traumatic memories, that is one of the worst places to save.
You physical and mental health is the foundation of your life. If you are in therapy, think about the benefits you get from it. After a session, do you feel lighter, more in control, and better able to handle your life? If so, therapy should absolutely be a priority.
We’ve just had a public shooting in Denmark. Fortunately, such events are extremely rare here, and it has been many years since the previous one. But that also makes us react stronger to each of them. Some people experience increased stress levels or problems sleeping or concentrating.
If you experience an unexpectedly strong reaction to a traumatic event that you did not witness yourself, take extra care of yourself. You are allowed to feel this. It is normal for people who feel vulnerable in their lives to react more strongly. Untreated trauma from many years ago can also strengthen your reaction to tragic events your hear about in the news or on social media.
Seek help from a professional if you have strong reactions for more than a few days after the event. As a professional trauma therapist, I recommend looking for a professional specializing in trauma.
Your
medical system might not always offer you the best option if you suffer from
anxiety or depression. Some systems have been known to prefer having doctors
prescribe pills instead of working on the underlying issues. That might be
because traditional psychotherapy can take a long time, and it is cheaper to
simply give the client a psychoactive drug.
You
might have to look for an alternative yourself. I recommend the method I use
and teach: Regenerating Images in Memory, RIM. My
clients have always experienced a clear improvement within the first three
sessions, and many have needed no more than that. You are welcome to schedule a
free call with me to hear more about how I work. Click here to find an
available time: https://vester.li/i04
I just let a
buzzing insect out of my office. It had gotten in somehow and was now trying in
vain to fly out through the window glass. It was unable to understand the
invisible barrier holding it back, and kept trying the same thing.
We humans
are not all that different. Sometimes, we realize we are not moving in the
direction we want in our life, but respond by trying harder. When you have your
nose against the glass, you cannot see it.
The power
humans have, and insects don’t have, is the ability to step back from the
situation. When you gain perspective, you can figure out what is holding you
back and how to move forward. Sometimes, you are able to consider you situation
yourself and find a solution. Sometimes, talking with a friend can help. And
sometime, you need to talk to a professional
therapist. Don’t keep buzzing against invisible barriers. Get help.
The
emotions where visible, when my resent client talked about, how he kept
stopping himself for moving forward. He would start on a project, and then,
when he had completed just over half the project, “things” got in the way.
Using the
emotions as a doorway in. We went back to a situation in childhood, where he had
been ridiculed in front of the class for a project, he had spent quite an amount
of time on. As he sensed himself in the classroom, he could hear his classmates
laugh, and feel how his whole body had tensed up to keep him from crying. And
he realized that the little boy right there, had made a decision to never
complete a project again, in order to protect himself from being hurt once more.
Guiding my
client into a dialog with his younger age self, he was able to comfort the young
self and support him in moving through the emotions. And they both realized,
that completing projects was something they truly wanted.
Later that
week my client happily shared with me how he had gone home and worked on his recent
project. And had completed it within a few days.
Being able
to use the emotions as a doorway into helping our clients, is an effective way
to uncover and work through the roots to our clients problems. And RIM
(Regenerating Image in Memory) is a great tool to have in your toolbox, when you
are searching for the best way to help your client.
You can learn more by participating in a free online group demonstration. Here you can get a taste of how RIM can benefit yourself and your clients and learn more about the RIM method. Sign up to join the next available call here
Doing the webinar you will be guided through a group RIM experienced. Doing the discussion afterwards, you will learn more about the RIM method, have time to ask your questions, and find out if RIM is a good fit for you. Sign up here
To Learn more about the RIM method and upcoming trainings Click here
