Rick Harter

Trauma can and does actually change the way the brain functions! Chronic trauma and Acute trauma alike, can develop into decisions and behaviors that create an impairment of living that feels like a trap and being stuck. I often utilized EMDR to assist with this after developing a framework and treatment plan.

This is what I believe, if people have healthy relationships, they are not likely to even need therapy! I don't believe anyone exists in a vacuum and everyone is the result of relational experiences or the lack thereof; therefore, identifying how to make relationships more fulfilling is a critical part of recovery and therapy.

My graduate degree is Marriage and Family Therapy, so this is my basic approach to all clients; a systemic lens. There are so many forms of relationships and communication that I have found it important to determine how you and your partner are relating and communicating and come along side your relationship to assist at identifying changes that the most important to you that will provide the most relief from the current stress and create a fulfilling relationship.

My graduate degree is Marriage and Family Therapy, so this is my basic approach to all clients; a systemic lens. There are so many forms of relationships and communication that I have found it important to determine how you and your partner are relating and communicating and come along side your relationship to assist at identifying changes that the most important to you that will provide the most relief from the current stress and create a fulfilling relationship.

As someone in recovery myself, 25 years now, I understand the road personally and clinically. I have found that the impact of addiction does not only affect the addict but also every relationship around us and often requires some support and understanding of the process.

As someone in recovery myself, 25 years now, I understand the road personally and clinically. I have found that the impact of addiction does not only affect the addict but also every relationship around us and often requires some support and understanding of the process.

Relationships are complex! I don't think there is a formula that works for every relationship although, there are certainly some approaches to relationships that provide a higher level of satisfaction, communication and interaction that can be missing. I certainly don't presume to be an expert on relationships, in fact, I tell people that in my twenty years of marriage I have messed up so much that I can help fix anything!

Trauma sucks but affects everyone! When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain with the images, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. EMDR seems to stimulate the information and allows the brain to process the experience. That may be what is happening in REM or dream sleep - the eye movements may help the process the material. It is your own brain that will be doing the healing and you are the one in control.