New Dawn Psychotherapy utilizes trauma therapy in combination with guided musical meditations inspired by biblical teaching in a unique program for those seeking guidance and healing from life’s challenges.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful treatment for a wide range of mental health issues. It started as a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has since become an indispensable tool to treat the symptoms of trauma, including anxiety and depression.
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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a unique approach to psychotherapy. ART is unique because the ART Therapist guides the client to replace the negative images in the mind that cause the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress with positive images of the client’s choosing. Positive results are often achieved quickly. Once the negative images have been replaced by positive ones, the triggers are diminished.
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Bilateral Stimulation (Sound Therapy)
In recent decades, therapeutic uses of sound and music have seen an explosion of scientific research supporting its efficacy as a tool for processing and integration. Researchers in a variety of fields have found that the simple act of listening to pure tones or music can have huge benefits for our daily lives, espicially when each ear is stimulated independently. This ‘bilateral stimulation’ regulates the nervous system and reduces anxiety and depression in the vast majority of those of listen to it.
Talking is the first step…
We spend most of every moment of our waking lives talking —talking to others as well as talking to ourselves in the form of an inner-monologue.
While conversation is at the heart of therapy, and is undoubtedly crucial for finding resolve and rewiring our traumatic memories it is nonetheless important to maintain a connection to experiences which distract us from obsessive thoughts and language.
It is almost too simple to suggest: that becoming absorbed by a good movie or music, being struck by the beauty of a landscape or becoming immersed in intensive exercise for example, are all moments in which we momentarily forego our troubles in favor of just being present with the task at hand.
Some people call this ‘mindfulness’, I call it joy.
Remaining committed to activities which bring us joy is easier said than done, especially when we are anxious or depressed. However, making space for them nonetheless is important and overlooked part for our healing journey. It allows the mind and body to integrate conclusions from talk therapy, or to become open to new realizations, ideas and feelings which couldn’t have been anticipated or analyzed beforehand.
Why I integrate music and sound into my therapy practice
Though it may seem modern, music and sound have been a therapeutic tool since ancient times. Early Christians for example have relied on the benefits of sound, music and listening as a form of worship, meditation and contemplative practice. Throughout the Bible are fascinating accounts of the power of sound to impact our consciousness and connect us to God’s unwavering presence.
I encourage my clients to spend one hour a week listening to bilateral sound stimulation, which involves rhythmic alterations of sound or music in each ear. Similar to how eye movements in EMDR simulate REM stages of sleep, thereby calming the nervous system, bilateral sound deactivates fight-or-flight responses producing an immediate sense of calm and relaxation. Though there are countless hours of YouTube videos claiming to facilitate bilateral stimulation, relaxation and meditation, many of these sources however are entirely computer generated, monotonous loops and/or created with questionable intentions.
Working in collaboration with a professional sound designer and musician, I now create my own soundtrack for clients, offering a reliable form of bilateral stimulation in my office that includes guided meditation. These separate sessions feature recordings of affirmations written specifically for my clients, sounds of nature, subtle musical accompaniment and are inspired by biblical wisdom. I can also prepare audio files of your favorite music remixed bilaterally for you to take home.
Bilateral stimulation is an important and undervalued tool I hope you will take advantage of.
The Coeur d’Alene Office
118 N 7th St
Suite C-5
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
(208) 771-6249