Emily Ryan, LICSW

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Ask how we utilize EMDR therapy. New Chapter Space

Why Celebrities Are Turning to EMDR Therapy for Their Mental Health The under-the-radar treatment is one of the most effective for those suffering from PTSD — and experts say you're probably going to be hearing about it a lot more.

Traumatic stress can continue living within the body long after the actual danger or threat is removed. The perception of danger can linger leaving us in a hyper vigilant state of fight/flight. Here the messages our body sends to the brain then set the fire alarm 🚨leading to a hormonal cocktail which prepares the body for survival (🤺🏃‍♀️or freeze). When we are in fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) we are not interested in connecting. We are doing exactly what our bodies are designed to do when under threat…protecting ourselves.

Trauma recovery and reaching out to a clinical trauma professional can be scary, but the worst part is over. Survivors are some of the courageous, resilient individuals I know. You got this!!! Surviving to THRIVING = post traumatic growth 🤍

Emily Ryan, LICSW on Instagram: "Trauma recovery and reaching out to a clinical trauma professional can be scary, but the worst part is over. Survivors are some of the courageous, resilient individuals I know. You got this!!! Surviving to... Emily Ryan, LICSW shared a post on Instagram: "Trauma recovery and reaching out to a clinical trauma professional can be scary, but the worst part is over. Survivors are some of the courageous, resilient individuals I know. You got this!!! Surviving to THRIVING = post traumatic growth 🤍 ...

Thankful to have the opportunity to hold space for my clients 🤍

Breath is key. If you are just starting out with a relaxation practice try inhaling slowly for a count of 4 (through the nose). Hold for a count of 4. Exhale slowly for a count of 4. Hold for a count of 4. Tip: if you want to intensify the relaxation response hold after exhale for a longer count. 💨

Ever have an immediate reaction to a situation and later think, "Why did I respond like that? My action/emotion totally did not fit the situation." Sometimes our reactions (behavior, thoughts, physical sensations, or emotions) are in response to a trigger, something reminding us of the past. The past is always in the present. It might be worth taking the time to look within and just get curious.

Ever feel like all of life's stressful experiences are just piling up? Feeling the effects of adverse experiences can feel like a game of Jenga sometimes. We don't have to experience or be exposed to a major life threatening event to feel the effects of trauma.

Repeated stressful events can compound and activate our nervous system.. setting off a stress/threat response. Examples of low intensity activators could look like:✨Chaotic environments✨ Aggressive environments✨ Punitive Environments ✨Inconsistent child rearing practices✨Instability at home (financially, emotionally, residentially, etc.).

It is the nervous system's response to an event/experience that can result in traumatic stress symptoms.. not the event itself. So basically, it's the arousal in the body that activates the stress response.

Reference: TraumaProfessionals

Happy Memorial Day!🇺🇸

As you go into the weekend, I invite you to get curious about your system. Is there a place you go to for feelings of calm or peace? Are you alone or with family/friends? What can you see 👀, hear👂 , or feel 🤚? Just take some time to notice if there is a shift in your nervous system state? Having a calm place can help us anchor in a safe state where we are able to experience joy, curiosity, restoration, feel open to connection and move toward regulating our system. Just get curious. Happy Weekend!

Traumatic stress symptoms can result after experiencing a "Big T" (i.e., natural disaster, auto accident, life threatening event, etc.). But the symptoms are not caused by the particular event but by the nervous system's response to the event.

Super excited to share with the path to getting to know the nervous system!!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month💚 It's okay to struggle. Being human is messy. I love the cracks in the background. They remind me of times when I have struggled to hold it all it all together and those periods where my own mental health has suffered. Everyone has stuff.

I can look at the cracks and recognize that they have made me who I am today...a human being who is far from perfect. I am grateful for my stuff because it made me a better human and therapist. My past struggles allow me to have more empathy and compassion for my clients. So why hide those cracks? Be proud of them and the purpose they serve today.

Weekends = resting and restoring (If all goes as planned here 🤞). This week I'll chat more about the whole "rest and digest" part of our nervous system. Until then...I'll be hanging out with my family, sleeping in🙏, and catching up on some Netflix. Happy weekend!

What does this part of our brain do? Basically it manages our thoughts, behavior, and helps us control our emotional response. During trauma or crisis it goes offline ⬇️. Ever try to think your way out of a problem when you are in distress or feeling disregulated? When this part of our brain is offline we can't engage in decision making, reasoning, etc.

Trauma can weaken the signals from this area, which means negative emotions from a traumatic memory can take over, become our focus and we don't have access to our reasoning abilities. 🤯

,licsw

Take the LEAP!! Facing fears and leaping into the unknown can be super scary 😬. I know a little about that over here lately. Sitting in fear won't make it go away. Sometimes you just have to look at it and get to know the fear. The unknown is the scary part. You got this!! 🤍 Learn more about my story on the blog (link in the bio).

https://www.newchapterspace.com/fear-facing

Blog 1 — NEW CHAPTER SPACE Emily Ryan 5/28/19 Emily Ryan 5/28/19 FEar Facing. Fear. It is real! I have been doing a lot of fear facing lately. Read More

During trauma, or when we perceive a stressful event (danger), the hippocampus 🧠 shrinks ⬇️. This is the area of the brain that assists with learning and memory storage (including how we remember safety 🫂 or danger⚠️). The hippocampus helps calm the amygdala. When the hippocampus shrinks cues to calm the amygdala ⬇️, which can cause flashbacks or confusion around the traumatic memory.

Let's talk neurobiology. What exactly happens in the brain when we experience trauma? The amygdala is our alarm signal for stressful experiences helping protect us from danger 📢⚠️Trauma can cause the amygdala to get stuck, remaining in an overactive mode. This can lead to feelings of anxiety or like we are in danger (sometimes when we are actually safe).

My space is open for clients! 🙌 I have been very intentional about this space and how I want clients to feel in this space. Therapy or coaching can be scary at first. For me, both as a therapist/coach and as a client, I want to feel comfortable. I'm curious what do you look for in a therapeutic space????

Hi, I'm Emily. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I hope to create a space here for community, encouragement, and connection. I will be passing on information and resources promoting wellness, balance, advocacy, and mental health. I invite you to join and follow along. To learn more about me and how to connect check out the link in the bio or go to www.newchpaterspace.com/emilyryanlicsw 🤍 😊Photo cred