Intensive 2 Day EMDR in a Group Setting: Updating your Documents of Life
2 Days in a Group Format
$360 per participant
9:00am-3:00pm
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Are you navigating life-changing experiences with ongoing traumatic stress? Trying to balance multiple extreme stressors? Perhaps you are a victim of conflict, a first responder or health care provider, living with chronic or severe illness, going through a lengthy divorce or co-parenting with a toxic ex?
This therapeutic workshop is for you if your ongoing stressful situation has caused you to feel easily startled or frightened, on guard for danger, trouble sleeping or concentrating, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior, overwhelming guilt or shame, or you find yourself doing self-destructive behavior such as drinking too much or driving too fast. You may also have vivid flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or images, nightmares, intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of your trauma, or physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea, or trembling.
This unique opportunity allows many individuals to be treated with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) simultaneously, while using an art therapy format. We will focus on expanding your mental health toolbox, and use a trauma-based therapeutic technique called Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (IGTP-OTS). You will learn and apply a range of skills in a welcoming environment with limited sharing of personal details amongst group members. You will not need to verbalize or write about your trauma, but you will be asked to draw and raise your hand to help the therapist know where you are in the process.
Confronting ongoing trauma can reduce post traumatic symptoms.​ IGTP-OTS is an EMDR group protocol. It helps turn down the volume of emotional distress when recalling an upsetting event or circumstance, and invites more functional connections about the past, present, and future. Resilience with future stressors is promoted. IGTP-OTS is especially helpful for people who have experienced prolonged, repeated, or multiple traumatic events or circumstances. This includes sexual abuse, interpersonal or domestics violence or conflicts, natural or man-made disasters, duty as a first responder/police/military member/healthcare provider, refugees, chronic or severe illness, perpetual exposure to war or terror, divorce, co-parenting with a toxic ex, COVID-19, or a helper of any of the above who have been repeatedly exposed to their stories. Research evidence suggests that this approach helps prevent the development of chronic PTSD and increases psychological and emotional resilience.
- Lunch and snacks provided
- Mental Health programming delivered by a Registered Social Worker
- Services can be claimed through insurance benefit programs which cover services by a Registered Social Worker with a Masters Degree
Helman Counselling
Krista Helman is a Registered Social Worker who helps clients navigate trauma while improving their mind-body connection. Her private practice encompasses psychotherapy, EMDR, Ego State Therapy, and the Safe and Sound Protocol. Her scope of practice has included children, adults, couples, active and retired military members. She is Co-Director of the West Ottawa Wellness clinic and a Facilitator with the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute. Krista was born and raised in Ottawa, where she lives with her blended family of five children and three dogs.