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Somatic Psychotherapy Groups at Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh

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by: Stacy Blankenship, MSW, LCSW

At Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh, we specialize in treating adults who struggle with various mental illnesses including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizo-affective disorders, and adults on the autistic spectrum. We address many of the symptoms related to these disorders in multiple ways. Our treatment program includes psychoeducation and skills building, process groups, expressive art therapy, therapeutic yoga, and psychodrama. Recently we have added another evidence-based modality, somatic psychotherapy.

People living with anxiety disorders and panic attacks will often experience disassociation, fear, physical pain, irritability, and other distressing symptoms. Somatic psychotherapy is designed to address these symptoms at the moment, wherever a person may be experiencing them. Individuals can use this treatment anytime, anywhere.

What is somatic psychotherapy?

We focus on Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (A-TIP) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) at Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh.

A-TIP is the use of finger and eye movements, combined with talk about current emotions, “used to immediately desensitize acute stress.” (Roy Kiessling; The CPR of Psychological Trauma).  It uses a 10-step process to stop negative thoughts, process emotions and plan for handling emotions in the future. A-TIP is based on the research behind Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), used for long-term trauma care in therapy sessions.

EFT uses tapping or light pressure on a series of places on the body, self-applied by the person experiencing the emotions, along with desensitization with words about the emotion. EFT is based on the research behind acupressure and exposure therapy to address symptoms in the moment. EFT has been shown to help people calm the thoughts, emotions and the physical manifestations of panic and anxiety immediately.

After learning the techniques and practicing EFT and A-TIP, our clients report they feel less hopeless and powerless. It empowers them with skills they can use right at the moment they feel overwhelmed by their emotions. The best kind of therapy is one you can take with you.

Grow and Recover at Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh

We provide an intensive psychiatric treatment plan that allows individuals to explore and use new ways to enjoy life’s journey.  Our professionals provide care in a supportive environment that includes the following levels of care:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the most intensive outpatient level of care. It serves as a preventive program to hospitalization if the psychiatric condition is identified early enough and a solid bridge that helps people step down out of hospitalizations or residential treatment programs.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) allows individuals who are experiencing emerging mental health issues to gain a solid foundation before stepping down into traditional outpatient services or provide the added support when current treatment is not frequent enough to foster meaningful improvement.

The program at Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh is tailored to meet the specific needs of each client and is focused on their unique goals. We understand that people are not a diagnosis, they are a mixture of all that has happened and their future journeys.