Faith Cohen, Ph.D.

Brainspotting & EMDR

     Brainspotting is a trauma release psychotherapeutic treatment technique that was created by David Grand, Ph.D. Brainspotting and EMDR are both techniques used to help individuals get rid of the distress associated with traumatic or negative emotional memories. The negative experiences and memories of the stress gets mapped by the brain at the time of the event.Through using these brain-patterning techniques a therapist helps a person’s mid-brain and cortex brain communicate with each other and create new neural pathways. It also allows the areas of the midbrain to deactivate so that the client is less triggered by memories or experiences that remind the client of the trauma. Over a few sessions, brainspotting and EMDR can help relieve a person of emotional distress, reformulate destructive beliefs, and reduce physiooloigal arousal (anxiety symptoms),  negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal (anxiety symptoms) is reduced. They are also very effective in treating PTSD.

     Brainspotting differs from EMDR in that it combines auditory bilateral stimulation while focusing on a particular spot in the client’s visual field, rather than relying solely on eye movements or just bilateral stimulation. There can be many brainspots and they can be determined by the client’s felt sense of where the spot is or through the help of the therapist finding the spot for the client. Brainspotting also differs from EMDR in that clients report that the sensations, insight, integration of thoughts and feelings appear deeper, yet, are often associated with less intense reactions while in session.

      Faith Cohen, Ph.D has completed all the offered trainings of Brainspotting with David Grand, which includes Level I, II,III and the Clinical Intensive.

Dream Work

     Dr. Cohen uses the techniques and teachings of Carl Jung to explore the unconscious through dreams. The images from dreams are understood by their metaphorical representations and associations of the client. Through dream work it is possible to gain insight into the unconscious process of the client. Clients bring in their dream material by recording such imagery upon waking, and the content is discussed in session. Other methods, such as active imagination, use an awake meditative state can also be used between sessions to further insight and awareness. Dream material can also be used in trauma release therapies (Brainspotting or EMDR) as together they can provide a deep and effective combination.

     This type of work can be used for clients who just want to gain better intuition, insight and guidance into their daily life all the way to complex cases of trauma and psychological issues.

Family & Child Therapy Techniques

Dr. Cohen has specialized training in child clinical psychology and can diagnose and treat children as young as toddler-preschool years and work with family groups. She has expertise in treating childhood difficulties that range from mild adjustment issues all the way to complex mental illness, attachment relationship issues and trauma. She uses play therapy, sand tray work, art therapy, parent consultation, behavior management techniques, parent consultation, trauma therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting, dream work, cognitive behavioral techniques, body-centered psychotherapy and relaxation techniques to work with her young clients. The work is fun and explorative for the child. Sessions are often shorter beginning at 45 minutes with an extra 10-15 minutes for parent consultation after the session to answer their questions and gain valuable information from the parent perspective.

Sand Tray

The use of the sand tray in child play therapy provides the child with a platform to express the rich and deep inner world of his/her psyche.  Like Jungian dream work in adults, the sand tray provides the stage for metaphor, archetypal symbols and insight to unfold. As the child is using the tray and it’s objects on the accompanying shelves, the therapist is working with the child in his/her metaphor, interpreting their language and intervening where appropriate.  The themes that are revealed naturally in the tray are the reflection of the child’s core internal emotional states and belief systems.  My approach in sand tray work is often reflective, as well as problem focused.  I will use intervening methods when appropriate or necessary.