Holden Therapy

04/11/2025

28/10/2025

Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) promotes neuroplasticity and trauma healing by using precise eye movements to rapidly reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories.

This technique is thought to work by interfering with the brain's emotional coding during memory reconsolidation, allowing the memory to be stored again with less emotional charge. By accessing and changing these deeply held emotional and identity imprints, IEMT can help to reorganise neural pathways, essentially creating new connections that dampen the overactivity of the fear center (amygdala) and improve overall emotional regulation. This swift reprocessing of memories and shift in self-perception allows the brain to heal from trauma and fosters lasting neuroplastic change.

20/10/2025

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-savvy-psychologist/202007/why-being-angry-is-okay-and-even-helpful

Anger is not only a valid emotion, but one that can be a useful motivating force to incite positive change.

19/10/2025

"The dog lives for the day, the hour, even the moment."
— Robert Falcon Scott

How We Can Learn from the 🐕

* No Past Regrets: A dog does not dwell on mistakes (like chewing a shoe yesterday). Once the moment passes, it's over, allowing them to start each new moment with a clean slate. We can learn to practice forgiveness—for ourselves and others—and let go of the emotional weight of past events.

* No Future Anxiety: A dog isn't worried about tomorrow's weather, the grocery budget, or their career trajectory. Their focus is completely on the "here and now"—the joy of a walk, the comfort of a nap, or the deliciousness of a meal. We can learn to minimise the stress caused by worrying about things we cannot control and practice gratitude for what we have right now.

* Embracing Simplicity: Their entire world revolves around simple, immediate pleasures. This reminds us to stop getting caught up in the complicated distractions of human life and find joy in the basic, sensory experiences of being alive: a sunny spot, a good play, or the unconditional love of a friend.

19/10/2025

“The spider is a repairer. If you bash into the web of a spider, she doesn't get mad. She weaves and repairs it.”
​— Louise Bourgeois

19/10/2025

Is Your Past Controlling Your Present?

Trauma changes your brain's processing system, essentially setting your internal alarm to "High Threat" all the time. This makes your body feel constantly on edge, while shutting down the parts of your brain needed for clear thinking and calm decision-making. If you feel jumpy, overwhelmed, or find it hard to trust your own judgment, it's not a personal failing—it’s your brain stuck in survival mode.

17/09/2025

Life often presents a maze of choices, with countless voices telling you what you should do, who you should be, and how you should live. But at the end of the day, you're the one holding the map. You are the expert on your own journey, and you possess an innate wisdom that understands what brings you peace, purpose, and joy. Trust that wisdom. Let go of the need for external validation and recognise that the best path is not the one others prescribe, but the one your own heart and intuition guide you toward.

14/09/2025

Reclaiming Your Voice!

Do you ever feel a knot in your stomach when you’re about to speak your mind?

That hesitation, that little voice telling you to stay quiet, is a common experience. In a world that often values conformity, expressing your authentic self can feel like a risk.

But what if this very challenge—this journey toward honest self-expression—is the key to unlocking a more powerful version of yourself.

Therapy can support you to become more self-aware aware, more self accepting and confident. Removing any negative thoughts or feelings that have been a barrier to open self expression.

08/09/2025

Its all automatic....
Trauma responses are automatic because your brain's survival instincts took over during a traumatic event.

The amygdala, or the brain's fear center, becomes hyper-aware, creating deeply ingrained "fight, flight, freeze, or fawn" reactions that are hardwired to protect you.

The good news is that because of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to heal and rewire itself—these responses can be changed. By working with a therapist, you can build new, healthier neural pathways to process your past and reclaim your life. You don't have to live in a constant state of alert. Healing is possible, and it starts with taking that first step toward support.

07/09/2025

In a world full of variables and unexpected challenges, finding a sense of stability often means shifting our focus inward. By concentrating on what we can control—our actions, our responses, and our mindset—we reclaim our power. We can't always dictate external events, but we can choose how we react to them. This simple yet profound shift from external to internal control allows us to build resilience and navigate uncertainty with greater calm and purpose. It's about accepting what is beyond our reach and channeling our energy into what we can actively change, leading to a more intentional and less stressful life.