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Techniques

Patricia is an approved consultant and a certified therapist in EMDR, and has been using EMDR in her treatment of trauma-related issues since 1996.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing utilizes bilateral stimulation in the form of eye movements, alternate tapping or alternate sounds to stimulate the brain to open up to its natural healing capabilities.  EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro, a psychologist, and has been proven to help heal traumatic stress as well as build positive resources.    
It is one of the most widely studied psychotherapeutic modalities. Hundreds of studies have been done ranging from older Vietnam vets to young traumatized children with extremely high success rates. This technique incorporates a cognitive piece with the bilateral stimulation to create a physiological and neurological ability for the person to reprocess the trauma, integrate it and put it into perspective in one's life. Children appear to respond to this technique quite positively and easily.  Other studies have shown that EMDR is effective in treating other disorders as well such as panic disorder, sexual dysfunction, phobias, substance abuse, and dissociative disorders.

EMDR appears to "facilitate a physiologically based self-healing process" by causing a desensitization or reduction in the anxiety attached to a traumatic event as well as by creating a more adaptive positive emotional state. This adaptation includes a new cognitive perspective, renewed association with internal resources and an enhanced sense of self worth. Mothers of children who were killed by drunk drivers reported that after using EMDR, they felt a coming to peace with the event, a sense of spiritual connection with the deceased and an intention to continue leading a fulfilling life (Lazrove et al. 1995, November).

At the right time, EMDR is an extremely effective tool in healing the negative effects of trauma. There is a greater chance of success when the person is properly prepared. The Tapas Accupressure Technique is one of those techniques that helps not only to prepare the person for a greater chance of being successful with EMDR, but also is a self-help tool that can be used in between EMDR sessions.
  • The Tapas Acupressure Technique is a heart opening and gentle process that reduces stress related to an issue.  Developed by Tapas Fleming, an acupuncturist, it utilizes meridians around the eyes and the back of the head to quickly dissolve traumatic stress, emotional pain, and transform negative beliefs.  

Kaiser Permanente conducted a pilot study funded by the National Institute of Health, where The Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) was compared to two other modalities and shown to be six times more effective for lasting weight loss. Because of these findings, the NIH is funding an additional study with 500 participants.

This technique has also been helpful for PTSD with combat verterans. "I thought I was going to die," said Dick Morrill, as he described being pinned under a helicopter for hours in Vietnam. Listen to how TAT helped him truly leave it behind at TATlife.com. Currently, TAT is being used with active military and combat veterans.

Patricia is a certified professional and trainer of Tapas Accupressure Technique, and utilizes it in her psychotherapy work with individuals, couples and families.  She also teaches a basic training in the technique in a 2 day workshop which is suitable for anyone over the age of 16. For those interested in continuing their training to become a certified professional in TAT, Pat offers additional training that is regulated by TATlife. 1-day workshops and 12-week groups on Transforming Overeating are also available. For more information, go here.

To learn more about TAT and to see a demonstration go to TATlife.com


Other offerings and techniques that Pat is trained in:

  • The REMAP process is one of the newer meridian therapies helpful in treating trauma, stress and self-limiting patterns while promoting wholeness, inner harmony and higher levels of functioning.   It provides an elegant and simple way to work with the entire acupressure system. For more information go to REMAP.net
  • Thought Field Therapy also utilizes the meridian system of the body to clear stored stuck trauma and stress.  In this technique particular acupressure points are touched or tapped (by the client) in a particular order to relieve the emotional charge attached to the problem.
  • Emotional Freedom Technique was developed by Gary Craig and it is an easier version of Thought Field Therapy, useful in treating negative disruptions in the emotional body. For more information go to ACEP.
  • Hypnosis and Imagery has been part of Patricia's repetoire since 1979.