Walking Together: Growing in Awareness, Accountability, and Healing

Walking Together: Growing in Awareness, Accountability, and Healing

At Sounds True, we believe in the principle of interbeing and strive to create a company that embodies the values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in every aspect of our organizational life. We are committed to using our power, reach, and influence to share resources with others, fostering growth and learning as we walk together. In line with this commitment, we offer free educational resources titled "Walking Together," featuring visionary BIPOC spiritual teachers.

But growth and healing go beyond organizational principles. They extend to the individual level as well. One psychotherapy treatment that has gained recognition for its effectiveness in healing traumatic memories is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR therapy was originally designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories by facilitating the accessing and processing of these memories to bring about adaptive resolution.

During an EMDR therapy session, the client focuses on emotionally disturbing material while simultaneously attending to an external stimulus, often therapist-directed lateral eye movements. This combination enhances information processing, forges new associations between traumatic memories and more adaptive information, and ultimately leads to the elimination of emotional distress and the development of cognitive insights.

What makes EMDR therapy unique is that it follows a three-pronged protocol. First, the therapy targets past events that have contributed to dysfunction, creating new associative links with adaptive information. Second, it addresses current circumstances that elicit distress and desensitizes internal and external triggers. Lastly, it incorporates imaginal templates of future events to equip the client with the skills needed for adaptive functioning.

For laypeople, EMDR therapy offers hope for healing from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences. Traditionally, it was assumed that severe emotional pain required years of therapy to make a difference. However, EMDR therapy has shown that healing from psychological trauma can be achieved much more efficiently. Studies have demonstrated that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after just three 90-minute sessions. In the case of multiple trauma victims, 77% no longer receive a PTSD diagnosis after only six 50-minute sessions.

The effectiveness of EMDR therapy can be attributed to its ability to activate the brain's natural healing processes. Just as the body works to close a physical wound, the brain's information processing system naturally moves towards mental health. However, when this system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and causes intense suffering. EMDR therapy removes the block and allows healing to resume.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy brings about healing through the client's accelerated intellectual and emotional processes, rather than clinician interpretation. The therapy transforms the meaning of painful events on an emotional level, leading to profound insights and growth. It is a truly empowering approach to healing.

Incorporating the principles of interbeing and EMDR therapy into our lives can have a transformative impact. To help you on your journey, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Cultivate awareness: Take the time to reflect on your experiences, both past and present. Understand how they have shaped you and how they may still be affecting your emotional well-being. This awareness is the first step towards healing.

• 2. Seek support: Healing is not a journey to be taken alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or professionals who can provide the support and guidance you need. Surround yourself with a community that values your growth and well-being.

• 3. Practice self-compassion: Healing takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself throughout the process. Embrace self-care practices that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Remember that healing is a journey, and every step forward is a victory.

In conclusion, walking together in awareness and accountability enables growth and healing, both on an individual and collective level. By embodying the principles of interbeing and exploring therapies like EMDR, we can create a world where justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords but lived experiences. Let us walk together with humility and conviction, supporting one another as we strive for personal and societal transformation.