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Maria Gray, M.Ed., M.A., LMFT, NMP, CGP, is certified in Brainspotting, Group Therapy, EMDR, and NARM. These four therapeutic models are resource-oriented, non-regressive, and non-pathologizing. Maria is a Brainspotting trainer and Consultant.
Her approach blends psychodynamic and somatic psychotherapy, and she specializes in trauma and addictions; she specifically focuses on working with adults who have been impacted by their parent’s addiction and/or mental illness. Maria has found that the majority of her clients benefit from a combination of Brainspotting and group therapy, and she offers three process groups (online and in-person) in her Santa Monica, California practice.
Prior to pursuing her calling to become a therapist, Maria had a long, successful career in Human Resources Information Systems, alternating between consulting and working for large corporations.
Historically, psychotherapy has focused on the client’s internal world with a strong emphasis on feelings and thoughts. Talk therapy engages the neocortex–our thinking, consciousbrain– while Brainspotting accesses the subcortical system where trauma and distress are often stored. Addictions and trauma are inseparable, and Brainspotting offers a highly-effective healing tool to those who work with trauma.
Current research in neuroscience reveals that painful memories get stuck in the non-verbal, non-cognitive subcortical brain which diminishes our ability to live fully in the here and now. As a result, some people suffer from issues such as anxiety, depression as well as compulsive and addictive behaviors.
During this workshop, attendees will learn what Brainspotting is and how it can help clients process unresolved trauma, supportingl ong-term addiction recovery and ove rall well- being. Attendees will learn a basic Brainspotting technique and there will be a live demo.
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