Brain Reprocessing Techniques to work on Trauma

Trauma is a kind of psychopathology that is especially damaging because of its ability to “seep” into our memory.; This means that the symptoms can be activated in a wide variety of situations, since there are many types of experiences that remind us of a traumatic experience.

Thus, psychological trauma remains in a latent state for a period that can last for years or decades if it is not treated, and the moments in which acute discomfort caused by it appears are partly predictable, and partly unpredictable. For this reason, the scientific community whose work focuses on developing psychotherapeutic resources has set itself the goal of creating psychological intervention strategies. capable of directly affecting the root of the problem, the way in which certain networks of neurons in the brain process the memory of the trauma and the information associated with it. she.

From these efforts have appeared what is known as brain reprocessing techniques, very useful to help people suffering from post-traumatic stress or complex trauma. Let's see what they consist of.

• Related article: "What is trauma and how does it influence our lives?"

What are brain reprocessing techniques and why do they help with trauma?

Psychological trauma is a concept that encompasses a series of psychopathologies caused by a traumatic event, normally an experience that is perceived as violent (having gone through humiliation, having been the victim of sexual abuse, having suffered a car accident...) and that leaves sequelae in the way in which the person integrates those memories in her memory (that is, in the parts of her brain responsible for "filing" and evoking memories by activating certain neurons when tap).

That is the trauma makes certain memories, those of the traumatic experience, mentally destabilizing and generate too much discomfort when they are evoked, to the point that they impair the quality of life of the person and make them fall into a spiral of anxiety and fear of reliving the trauma at any moment.

In this sense, brain reprocessing techniques are forms of psychological intervention designed to influence the way in which the The person's brain processes the information on which that memory is based that has been "saved" in the neural networks in a way defective.

The purpose is not to totally erase the most painful memories, but to modify the way in which the person experiences them, eliminating the emotional reaction based on anguish and anxiety and promoting a more distanced perspective and based on acceptance. Nor is a totally objective interpretation of what happened sought (that would be impossible, since they are facts that touch very personally), but one that is richer in nuances and that is not limited to a narrative of self-victimization and self sabotage.

Now, although the focus is placed on the modification of specific neural connections, these techniques are not invasive and do not imply any kind of surgery or taking psychotropic drugs; thus, they are part of psychotherapy, and not so much of psychiatry or neuropsychology.

• You may be interested in: "The 10 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

Main types of brain reprocessing techniques for trauma

There are two main variants of brain reprocessing techniques useful in trauma patients: EMDR therapy and Brainspotting, which share common characteristics.

1. EMDR

EMDR therapy ("eye movement desensitization and reprocessing"), or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, uses bilateral stimulation of the lobes of the brain through the coordinated movement of the eyes or the application of small taps on the right or left parts of the body (“tapping”) while a series of instructions are given to the patient to recall or imagine mental images related to the trauma.

In this way, an effect similar to that sought in systematic desensitization in cases of phobias is achieved: the person stops thinking about the traumatic experience always in the same terms and begins to mentally represent it in ways unrelated to the activation of symptoms anxious.

• Related article: "EMDR (eye movement) therapy: applications and efficacy"

2. brainspotting

Brainspotting is also based on the idea that the gaze direction is a way of intervening on the neurons that represent the traumatic memory; however, among other differences, here the gaze remains fixed, instead of making constant eye movements; following the indications of the therapist, an overwriting of the emotional elements associated with the memory of the trauma and that they had remained inaccessible to deliberate attempts to alleviate the symptoms and pain. discomfort.

Looking for psychotherapy services?

If you want to start a process of psychological therapy to overcome trauma through brain reprocessing techniques, get in touch with us.

In Adhara Psychology We will assist you from the perspective of Humanist Psychology to give you professional help in a totally personalized way and taking into account your values, priorities and needs. We offer face-to-face and online sessions by video call.