Ripple Effect Psychotherapy

Ripple Effect Psychotherapy EMDR and CBT for Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety - Book your Free Consultation

"Just breathe" is everywhere in self-help for anxiety and trauma. For nervous systems shaped by complex, repeated trauma...
04/22/2026

"Just breathe" is everywhere in self-help for anxiety and trauma. For nervous systems shaped by complex, repeated trauma, long-form breathwork and mindfulness are not always the neutral defaults they are assumed to be.

This is a walkthrough of what the preparation phase of trauma therapy actually looks like in practice. For clinicians, students, and anyone curious about how this work gets done.

Inside:

· How trauma therapy works by linking the present to existing adaptive information, not by overwriting the past (Solomon & Shapiro, 2008).

· Why "just breathe" can backfire for pervasive trauma, and what works better instead (Van Dam et al., 2018).

· What preparation actually looks like: brief, repeated moments of regulation, built with consent.

· A 60-second body check-in for when the nervous system shuts down.

The frameworks referenced are drawn from the established trauma, EMDR, and mindfulness research literature. They are not original theory.

This is general education. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for individualized care with a qualified clinician.

For general inquiries: rippleffectpsychotherapy.com

📚 Research cited:

Solomon, R. M., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the Adaptive Information Processing Model. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.315

Van Dam, N. T., et al. (2018). Mind the Hype. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(1), 36 to 61. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617709589

⚠️ If you are in crisis:
9-8-8 Su***de Crisis Helpline (Canada): call or text 988
Talk Su***de Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Emergency: 911

TraumaInformedCare PolyvagalTheory OttawaTherapist RegisteredPsychotherapist

Standard EMDR was developed primarily for single-incident trauma. When the protocol meets complex PTSD, it often needs s...
04/21/2026

Standard EMDR was developed primarily for single-incident trauma. When the protocol meets complex PTSD, it often needs significant clinical modification before it can be delivered safely.

This carousel is a walkthrough, written primarily for clinicians and students, of how that modification looks in practice. It covers:

⟶ The survival paradox: why presence, stillness, and slowing down can be contraindicated early in CPTSD work
⟶ Predictive processing: why EMDR updates the brain's model of the world rather than erasing a memory (Ecker, 2015; Lane et al., 2015)
⟶ Phase 2 preparation, or "the whale and the boat": why adaptive resourcing must precede target-memory work
⟶ Phase 4 desensitization: titration, target selection, and the window of tolerance
⟶ Relationship and attachment injuries as frequently overlooked targets in standard protocols

The frameworks referenced here are drawn from the established EMDR, memory reconsolidation, and trauma literature. They are not original theory.

This is professional education. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation, or a substitute for individualized clinical care. Every client's presentation is unique, and any treatment plan needs to be built collaboratively with a qualified clinician who knows the person in front of them.

📚 Citations
Ecker, B. (2015). Memory reconsolidation understood and misunderstood. International Journal of Neuropsychotherapy, 3(1), 2–46. https://doi.org/10.12744/ijnpt.2015.0002-0046

Lane, R. D., Ryan, L., Nadel, L., & Greenberg, L. (2015). Memory reconsolidation, emotional arousal, and the process of change in psychotherapy: New insights from brain science. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 38, e1. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X14000041. TraumaInformedCare Psychotherapy AttachmentTrauma MemoryReconsolidation WindowOfTolerance RegisteredPsychotherapist OntarioTherapy

Not all trauma is loud.Sometimes it looks like high-functioning anxiety, withdrawal, or a constant sense of needing to “...
04/09/2025

Not all trauma is loud.
Sometimes it looks like high-functioning anxiety, withdrawal, or a constant sense of needing to “keep it together.”
Healing doesn’t always mean big breakthroughs — sometimes, it means learning how to sit with yourself in stillness.
You don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’re ready to explore therapy, I’m currently accepting new clients.
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This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute psychological advice or therapy. If you’re in crisis, please contact a local crisis line or emergency services. Services are offered in accordance with CRPO standards of practice.

The most profound healing that we can experience in this life is not simply the cessation of pain, but the ability to fi...
02/13/2023

The most profound healing that we can experience in this life is not simply the cessation of pain, but the ability to find deep and abiding meaning in our suffering. When we are able to take the challenges and struggles that we face and use them as a catalyst for growth, transformation, and the discovery of our own resilience, we unlock a level of healing that is truly transformative.

It is all too easy to view the hardships that we encounter in life as a curse, as something to be endured and overcome as quickly as possible. But in doing so, we miss out on the incredible opportunity that is before us. For it is in the darkest moments of our lives that we are given a chance to truly dig deep, to confront the parts of ourselves that we might otherwise ignore or avoid. It is in these moments that we can learn to cultivate a sense of resilience, of strength and courage that can carry us through even the toughest of times.

Of course, this is not to say that the process of finding meaning in our suffering is easy or painless. On the contrary, it can be incredibly challenging, requiring a great deal of introspection, vulnerability, and self-reflection. But it is precisely because it is so difficult that the rewards are so great.

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Please note that my Instagram account is not a substitute for a therapeutic relationship. The information provided on my account is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in need of mental health support, please seek the help of a licensed mental health professional. It's important to take care of your mental health and well-being.

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Welcome to my psychotherapy page! I offer individual therapy to adolescents and adults using evidence-based therapies su...
01/26/2023

Welcome to my psychotherapy page! I offer individual therapy to adolescents and adults using evidence-based therapies such as EMDR and CBT. I understand that seeking help can be a big step and to make it easier, I offer free consultations. I am dedicated and aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for my clients. Reach out to me with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Address

150 Isabella Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S5H3

Telephone

+13434530052

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