Dr. Sherri R. Edelman, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in psychotherapy techniques.
The original form of psychotherapy was known as "the talking cure." However, it soon became clear that talking alone was not always sufficient to be helpful. Schools of psychotherapy with a mind and body orientation began to appear, with Reichian and bioenergetics being perhaps the best known. These are not complementary approaches (used as adjuncts to talk therapy) but rather mental health therapies that made the connection between the mind and body. Now that research has shown this connection (seen in brain scans), we also know that the brain/body system is altered by experiences in utero, during delivery, and throughout life. Triune, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Who practices mind-body treatments to mental health? Just as there are many different types of therapies, there are also many different kinds of therapists. Another Helpguide section discusses the types of licensed professionals who practice psychotherapy. There are also people who provide counseling without licenses and possibly without mental health training – in fact, anyone can call himself or herself by any title, unless there is a specific license claimed that is not held by that person. The same principles apply to choosing a mind-body practitioner as with any assistance: it is the responsibility of the consumer to ask questions about the person's background and training, if that information has not been provided. you should feel comfortable with the answers to your questions and comfortable with the person. you want to feel safe and trusting with the person. mind-body mental health therapies as practiced by either licensed mental health professionals or by people trained in mental health who are not licensed. Recent developments in the treatment of emotional trauma include new, highly effective forms of psychotherapy and somatic (body) therapies. Although often intensely interpersonal, these therapies are also psychological and neurological in their focus and application. This group of therapies relies on innate instinctual resources, rather than medications, to bring about healing. They differ in some ways, but the one thing they have in common is combining talk therapy with a focus on the body. As with any therapy, but especially due to the intensity of the emotions involved, it is important to find a therapist with whom one feels trust and a strong bond. Eye Movement Desensitization/Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by a psychologist after she noticed her own stress reactions diminishing when her eyes swept back and forth as she walked through a park. It is conducted by licensed mental health professionals who have taken specific training in this complex approach. It combines elements of a range of therapeutic approaches with eye movements or other forms of rhythmical stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. Theories as to why EMDR is effective are still evolving. Some speculate that the rapid unique therapeutic element of EMDR – the eye movements or other rhythmical stimulation – might help the brain access and process traumatic material. EMDR has been most effective with single-incident trauma, but its uses continue to evolve in addressing longer histories of emotional or physical trauma, and in balancing other aspects of a person's life. Somatic Psychotherapies The term somatic, coined by mind/body or more precisely brain/body. The idea is that to change the body, we have to engage the brain and change the brain – not only how we think and feel, but also the neurological connections themselves. The body, its sensations, and direct sensory experience are referenced throughout the therapeutic process. Four of these kinds of therapies that provide comprehensive training programs for practitioners follow. To give a simple illustration of each approach, an example of a physical attack is used: Somatic Experiencing: developed an approach evolved in part from observations of how animals literally "shake off" traumatic experiences, allowing the body to process stress chemicals completely until they return to normal levels. The SE therapist may be a licensed professional or unlicensed but with some mental health training. All SE therapists complete an extensive training program, in which they learn to observe the body, facial expressions and gestures carefully and to help the person "thaw" a response that was "frozen" in a traumatic situation (illustration: the person might be observed to make short gestures that almost appear to be a "pushing" motion, but that stop abruptly – the therapist might have the person complete the gesture in full, and notice how the body's tension level changes). based on five therapeutic principles – Mindfulness, Organicity, Non-Violence, the Mind-Body Connection, and Unity. It is a body-centered approach for which, in part, the therapist helps the client experiment with small changes in gesture or other movements, to see what differences occur in the processing of emotionally charged content (illustration: the person might be observed to always make a certain gesture or have a certain posture when talking about the attacker – the therapist might suggest the gesture or posture be changed to a different one as an experiment, and then to notice the changes in feelings or thoughts). integrates verbal and cognitive methods with breath work and movement. It is built on the theories of many of the therapies that focus on early childhood, personal relationships, and existential issues, with a view that trauma sustained in the body/mind occurs very early and that subsequent trauma may recapitulate earlier trauma (illustration: the client would breathe deeply to stay grounded and feel safe, and would recall and re-tell—not re-live—the incident, experiencing physical fear reactions such as shaking or contractions, and releasing these patterns through movement, words, or other means to re-pattern and dissipate the frozen energetic patterns). Biofeedback uses sensors or electrodes attached to the body to measure skin temperature or muscle tension. The person can see or hear readings—feedback—and can learn to make subtle changes that bring relief and improvement to a variety of disorders. Neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) uses electrodes attached to the scalp which provide brainwave pattern information, allowing the person to see the effects of relaxation, breathing, and focused attention, and learn to slow down or speed up brain waves.
Topics & Services of the Philadelphia Psycholgist:
| coaching | counseling | therapy | depression | anxiety | anger management | relationships |
| mental health | psychotherapy | consultation | clinical psychology | physical abuse | child abuse |
| sexual abuse | rehabilitation | adolescents | mind and spirit | holistic counseling | domestic violence |
Serving states of NY, PA, NJ, DE, VA, ME, MA, CONN, CT, RI, MD, Serving, PA counties of Bucks, Berks, Philladelphia (Phila., and Philly), Montgomery. Serving the cities, New Jersey and Pennsylvania of Media, Yardley, Langhorn, Langhorne, Germantown, Pottstown, Reading, Allentown, Chester, West Chester, Connshohocken, King of Prussia, Rockledge, Fort Washington, Horsham, Warminster, Burlington, Tullytown, Claymont, Trainer, Oreland, Trooper, Evansburg, Radnor, Linwood, Bellefonte, Penns Grove, Edgemoor, Lima, Ambler, Spring House, Woodburne, Springfield, Drexel, Temple, Levittown, Newtown, Skippack, Audubon, Bridgeport, Paulsboro, Cherry Hill, Campden, Camden, Pine Hill, Bryn Mawr, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Berlin, Swedesboro, Stratford, Medford Lakes, Collingswood, North Wales, New Hope, Flemington, Quakertown, Doylestown, Hatboro, Norristown, Riverton, Neshaminy. Bethlehem, Limekiln, Wynmere, York, Edison, Tradesville, Saw Mill, Chalfont, Maple Glen. Easton, Stroudsburg, Hazleton, Rosewood, Pottsville, Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Wilkes-barre, Phillipsburg, Philipsburg, Eastern PA, Schuykill Haven, towns, villages, cities, boros, boroughs, mainline, the main line, route 30, girard, U of Penn, University, Haverford, Swathmore, chads ford, longwood gardens. Dr Sherri Edelman, Triune, Chiropractic, Wellness, Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.