Rachel Moore, LMFT

People often think that trauma is the bad things that happen to someone: trauma is that you were sexually abused, or that you were beaten, or your parents abandoned you, or died, or something like that. But trauma is the internal impact, which is fundamentally a disconnection from the self and from our bodies and our gut feelings. And the trauma is the discomfort, the inability to be in the present moment because the present moment is too painful.

I love doing podcast interviews, and I was honored to talk about EMDR therapy recently for the Five Minute Bark podcast. As well as discussing the basics of EMDR, the interviewer, Allie, and I talk about her experiences with therapy and why it's important for clients to find a therapist who's a good fit. I also reveal a phobia of mine and why I don't want to get rid of it ... at least not yet. :) I hope you find our discussion fun and helpful! https://www.rachelmoorecounseling.com//podcast-interview-a

Right now, take a breath, close your eyes, feel your feet on the ground. Just for this moment... * * * #Repost @worry__lines with @get_repost

#emdr #therapy #sandiegotherapist #creativetherapist

I had a lively discussion recently with Lindsay Bryan-Povin of Mind Money Balance. We chatted on her podcast about some of the business aspects of private practice. In this episode I emphasize the importance of being true to yourself, no matter what others may say is best for you. I hope you find our discussion informative and inspiring! Direct link: https://www.mindmoneybalance.com//22-therapy-for-creatives

#Repost @westchestercreativeartstherapy with @get_repost

If you're not feeling OK right now, please know you're not alone.

I like this short video that discusses how crisis survival tools are helpful but not sufficient for resolving issues. Acceptance is the next step and is (paradoxically) necessary for change: Changing reality requires accepting it first.

Sometimes people wonder why therapy clients can't go out to have coffee or become friends with their therapists. This well-written and heartfelt piece shows what can happen when boundaries aren't respected. Sometimes therapists cross certain boundaries for various reasons, often beneficial ones, but boundary violations are different. I appreciate this writer for sharing her experience.

Although I'm an EMDR therapist and not an art therapist, I support clients who love to be creative, and I know personally how healing the art-making process can be. "The arts offer an evidence-based solution for promoting mental health. While practicing the arts is not the panacea for all mental health challenges, there’s enough evidence to support prioritizing arts in our own lives at home as well as in our education systems."

It’s OK to ask a potential (or current) therapist where they’re at in understanding cultures that differ from their own.

I think recognizing that clients of color may never feel completely regulated is important. It’s important to honor that there’s always a sense of hyperarousal due to systemic and institutionalized racism. Helping clients acknowledge and manage this is important to decreasing chronic stress, the physical and mental damage it can cause. Nina Keeler, LMFT West Bloomfield Township, MI

EMDR therapy is a "bottom up" approach, but what does that mean? This explanation describes why sometimes just talking about things (at the "top" of the brain) doesn't help resolve them.