Understanding the neuroscience behind trauma can inform treatment approaches such as Neurofeedback and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Neurofeedback is a neuroscience-based therapy that aims to regulate and normalize brainwave patterns associated with trauma and PTSD. It involves monitoring a person’s brainwave activity using an EEG and providing real-time feedback in the form of visual or auditory cues. Through this process, individuals learn to self-regulate their brain activity, promoting more balanced and regulated patterns. Neurofeedback can target specific areas of dysregulation, such as the amygdala or prefrontal cortex, to restore healthier functioning and reduce the hyperarousal and emotional dysregulation often experienced in trauma and PTSD.
EMDR is a therapy approach that incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) along with bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements or other forms of rhythmic sensory stimulation. It is believed that bilateral stimulation helps access and reprocess traumatic memories, facilitating their integration into more adaptive and less distressing networks in the brain. EMDR also incorporates cognitive restructuring and relaxation techniques to help individuals develop more adaptive coping mechanisms and alleviate the symptoms of trauma.
