Healing PTSD with Integrated Therapy: EMDR and Hypnotherapy
Living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel overwhelming and isolating. The lingering effects of past trauma can impact every aspect of your life—your emotions, thoughts, physical health, and relationships. If you’ve been struggling with PTSD, panic attacks, or feelings of being stuck in the past, I want you to know that healing is possible.
At my practice, I take an integrated therapy approach to treating PTSD, combining EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and hypnotherapy to help clear the emotional and physical effects of trauma. Together, these powerful techniques can help you process and release painful memories, restore a sense of safety, and reclaim your life.
Understanding PTSD: Symptoms and Impact
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as abuse, an accident, violence, or the sudden loss of a loved one. While everyone reacts to trauma differently, PTSD can cause long-lasting emotional and physical symptoms, including:
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event.
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping.
- Feeling constantly “on edge” or hypervigilant.
- Emotional numbness or detachment from loved ones.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Intense feelings of guilt, shame, or fear.
Physical Symptoms
- Panic attacks, including rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
- Muscle tension, headaches, or stomach issues.
- Fatigue or chronic pain.
Behavioural Symptoms
- Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind you of the trauma.
- Feeling irritable, angry, or easily startled.
- Turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use or overeating.
Living with PTSD can feel like you’re trapped in the past, unable to move forward. However, with the right tools and support, it’s possible to break free from the cycle of pain and fear.
How EMDR and Hypnotherapy Can Help
EMDR and hypnotherapy are both evidence-based techniques that work on a deep, subconscious level to heal the effects of trauma. By combining these therapies, we can address PTSD from multiple angles—helping you process traumatic memories, release emotional pain, and create a sense of safety and calm in your mind and body.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain process and reframe traumatic memories. Through a series of guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR works to “unstick” the trauma, allowing the brain to reprocess the experience more healthily.
How EMDR Helps:
- Reduces the intensity of flashbacks and intrusive memories.
- Desensitizes triggers associated with the trauma.
- Helps you feel calmer and more in control of your emotions.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy allows you to access your subconscious mind in a deeply relaxed state, where the root causes of trauma are stored. During hypnosis, we can safely explore and release the emotions and beliefs tied to the traumatic event.
How Hypnotherapy Helps:
- Identifies and clears emotional pain and limiting beliefs associated with the trauma.
- Builds new, positive thought patterns to replace fear-based reactions.
- Restores a sense of inner peace and balance.
By combining EMDR with hypnotherapy, we can address both the emotional and subconscious effects of trauma, creating lasting healing and transformation.
Supporting PTSD Recovery with Mindfulness and Meditation
In addition to therapy, mindfulness and meditation can be powerful tools for managing PTSD symptoms. These practices help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and ground you in the present moment.
Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation for PTSD:
- Decreases hypervigilance and helps regulate emotions.
- Reduces the frequency and intensity of panic attacks.
- Improves sleep quality and overall sense of well-being.
- Teaches you how to respond to triggers with calm rather than fear.
As part of your healing journey, I can guide you through mindfulness techniques and meditations that you can practice at home to support your recovery.
How to Start Your Healing Journey
Healing from PTSD is a journey, but you don’t have to face it alone. With my integrated therapy approach, we’ll work together to address the trauma at its root and help you regain a sense of control, safety, and peace.
What to Expect in a Session:
- A compassionate, client-centred approach tailored to your unique needs.
- A safe space to explore and process your emotions without judgment.
- Practical tools and techniques you can use to manage triggers and anxiety in daily life.
Join Our Community for Support and Resources
In addition to therapy sessions, I offer resources to support your healing:
- Guided Meditations: Subscribe to my YouTube channel to access calming meditations designed to help you reduce anxiety and reconnect with yourself.
- Online Programs: Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming online programs, workshops, and tools designed to inspire and heal.
These resources are created to help you stay grounded, connected, and supported on your journey to recovery.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
PTSD and panic attacks don’t have to define your life. With integrated therapy combining EMDR, hypnotherapy, and holistic practices like mindfulness and meditation, you can begin to heal and reclaim your sense of self.
If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d love to support you.
Contact Donna at 0424 300 678 or email to book a session
You are not alone—healing is possible, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.