Heartlight Therapy
Online Therapy Services
Wendi Witter, LCSW
Methods of Therapy
EMDR
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, begins by establishing safety. These resources help individuals calm and soothe themselves during stressful moments, serving as an essential life skill that promotes healing. Once these resources are consistently utilized, the next step is to engage in bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through various methods such as listening to sounds, following moving images, or tapping on opposite sides of the body. This process activates both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the healing of memories or bodily sensations while allowing clients to remain aware of their feelings, emotions, and physical sensations. Processing can continue beyond the session, leading to shifts in perception and of these sensations or memories.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a technique that focuses on the various parts within ourselves. Each of us contains multiple parts that hold memories and emotions and seek to protect us in unique ways. For instance, one part might eagerly want to attend a friend's party, while another feels shy and insecure about it. Richard Schwartz developed this approach while working with clients facing eating disorders and discovered that we possess different types of parts with distinct roles. He identified wounded parts that carry pain from past experiences, manager parts that help us navigate life, and firefighter parts that activate defense mechanisms (such as eating, drinking, or staying busy) to shield us from emotional pain, and a core wise part. Much of this occurs instinctively. By using this method, clients can engage in dialogue with their various parts, leading to a release from their burdens and greater personal freedom.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting was created by David Grand as an advancement of EMDR. I start brainspotting by utilizing the same resourcing found in EMDR to create a sense of security and support before we move into the processing stage. Once these resources are well-established, we can begin processing. When individuals confront distressing emotions or bodily sensations, they often identify a specific point in space that intensifies these feelings. By focusing on that point while engaging in bilateral stimulation, the intensity of the sensation can heighten, aiding in resolution and healing. Similar to EMDR, clients stay connected to their sensations while concentrating on the spot, allowing the brain to process information in a way that encourages resolution or adaptive reprocessing.
Window of Tolerance
The window of tolerance is not a therapeutic technique, but rather an important concept to consider when utilizing various treatment methods. It refers to the range within which a client can effectively manage and process their emotions and sensations related to their life experiences. This range allows the client's to optimally regulate their nervous system, facilitating the processing of arising feelings. If a client exceeds this window, they may either shut down or feel overwhelmed. Therapists can assist clients in remaining within this window and provide grounding resources when they begin to drift outside of it. In therapy, I help clients recognize their window of tolerance and teach them strategies to return to it when needed, which they can also apply independently outside of sessions to maintain emotional regulation.
