Antonieta Contreras
Psychotherapist, AUTHOR, supervisor, consultant, coach

Therapeutic Services

TRAUMA-RELATED PROBLEMS
Following any distressing or life-threatening event, or after the accumulation of toxic stress coming from abuse, isolation, oppression, abandonment, etc., psychological trauma can set in.
Traumatization causes emotional issues such as:
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extreme anxiety,
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anger,
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sadness,
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survivor’s guilt,
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paranoia,
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impulsivity,
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depersonalization,
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derealization,
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numbness,
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confusion,
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lack of concentration,
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mood swings,
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isolation,
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rejection,
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rigidity,
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fear,
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over-reactivity,
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loss of sense of self,
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feelings of emptiness, and many more.
There may also be ongoing problems with: sleep or physical pain, trouble with personal and professional relationships, guilt and shame, and low self-esteem.
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Traumatization has so many consequences at so many levels that helping to heal from it requires a deep understanding of the roots, the triggers, the biology, the anatomy, the neurology, the psychology, and the repercussions in the social context. My methodology covers all aspects of the manifestation of traumatization and helps each one to regain balance.
You can learn more about conditions here
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective especially for the treatment of trauma.
According to EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association, EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In addition, successful outcomes are well-documented in the literature for EMDR treatment of other psychiatric disorders, mental health problems, and somatic symptoms. ​​

​​The model on which EMDR is based, Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), posits that much of psychopathology is due to the maladaptive encoding of and/or incomplete processing of traumatic or disturbing adverse life experiences. This impairs the client’s ability to integrate these experiences in an adaptive manner. The eight-phase, three-pronged process of EMDR facilitates the resumption of normal information processing and integration.
This treatment approach, which targets past experience, current triggers, and future potential challenges results in:
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the alleviation of presenting symptoms,
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a decrease or elimination of distress from the disturbing memory,
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improved view of the self,
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relief from bodily disturbance, and
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resolution of present and future anticipated triggers.
In the broadest sense, EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach intended to treat psychological disorders, to alleviate human suffering and to assist individuals to fulfill their potential for development, while minimizing risks of harm in its application.
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For individuals who find EMDR challenging—whether due to difficulty with bilateral stimulation, staying cognitively engaged, or tolerating emotional intensity—I often incorporate Brainspotting as an alternative approach, and have seen remarkable results.
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Brainspotting allows access to deep emotional and somatic material in a gentle, focused way, often helping clients process experiences that feel too overwhelming or elusive to reach through more structured methods. It’s particularly helpful for clients who benefit from a more body-based, intuitive, or nonverbal path to healing.