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National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
- Feature Article - |
EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are a few recent stories and feature articles from a variety of sources that are related to the kinds of issues we cover on our web site. They'll represent a small percentage of the information available to us, the public, as we fight to provide meaningful recovery services and help for those who've suffered child abuse. We'll add to and update this page regularly, bringing you just a few of the featured articles on the web site. |
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Cynthia Lackner, MA
Emotional Brain Training |
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I Give People Hope
Emotional Brain Training (EBT)
by Cynthia Lackner, MA
Certified Emotional Brain Training Provider -
Stress Free Living
| EDITOR'S NOTE: Cynthia Lackner, MA, offered to write an article about some of the issues and tools we'd discussed on her recent appearance as a 'special guest' on NAASCA's "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk radio show. Here it is !! |
I am a psychotherapist in private practice. I work with people who were abused as children, domestic abuse victims, and others who struggle with debilitating depression, trauma and anxiety.
I often see victims who do not want to feel their emotions, so they turn to alcohol, pot, spending, gambling, porn and food; to self-soothe. These victims live with tremendous levels of stress. |
I teach people how to self-regulate their stress by learning how to rewire their emotional brain, when triggered with stress throughout the day. Every thought, emotion, and behavior are the activation of a string of neurons.
For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Brain Training are both designed to change these messages, however, CBT focuses on changing the cognitive circuits. EBT, focuses on changing the emotional circuits that drive ineffective thoughts, emotions and behaviors. The emotional circuits are stronger than cognitive circuits, which is why EBT focuses on changing the emotional circuits.
EBT, and mindfulness are based on self-awareness and EBT adds tools to actively and rapidly reduce stress. Both mindfulness and EBT help you train your brain to be present, open and aware.
Mindfulness relies on the power of acceptance as an option to decrease stress. EBT includes acceptance as an option in managing stress and adds another option: actively and rapidly reduce stress by using one of the five brain-based techniques.
For example, Brain State 5, (reptilian brain=allostasis) and Brain State 1, (=homeostasis). Training the thinking brain to be consciously aware of our emotional state, (staying “plugged in” to our emotional brain) is the goal. Just doing that can bring forth a natural shot of neurotransmitters, resulting in a natural high.
The brain craves rewards, so that can begin to turn off the drive for external solutions. Neuroscience shows us the way. The emerging strategy is to go to the root cause: our wiring.
I have had good success working with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, shame, trauma, PTSD, burnout, emotional eating and other addictions.
Stress is making us a nation of addicts because without the tools to overcome stress and access joy, we default to using artificial pleasures that tend to become addictive and compulsive. If a person has an addiction let’s say to food, there are often cross addictions and he/she can suffer with multiple addictions as well.
In the first session I begin by teaching a tool the patient can use immediately, when triggered with stress. I help people access their anger, sadness, fear, shame and guilt. When those emotions are cleared away, a person can get to the other side and feel gratitude, happiness, feeling secure and feeling pride.
Physicians and psychiatrists frequently send me referrals.
I work with people all over the country on the phone, Skype and Zoom.
Please call me for a free 20-minute consultation at 303-968-4565 or write to me at: cynthia@cynthialackner.com.
Cynthia Lackner, MA
Certified Emotional Brain Training Provider
Stress Free Living
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