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Marilyn Brine Gilmour, MSW
is a licensed clinical social worker with forty years of experience in areas related to loss and psychological trauma. In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, Marilyn has practiced Reiki since 1998.
Psychological trauma may refer to complex trauma from early abuse or to single-incident trauma such as a natural disaster or an act of violence. It may also include life transitions which bring loss - such as divorce or the death of a family member, or a life-threatening illness. In this regard, Marilyn specializes in advanced cancer and end of life issues, as well as spiritual crisis. She also facilitates a support group at the
for women living with metastatic breast cancer.
Providing a sanctuary of safety and nonjudgmental respect is at the heart of Marilyn's therapeutic work. Whether working with individuals, couples, or a group, her compassion and intuitive ability allow her to recognize and validate both the pain and the strength in her clients and to inspire them to wholeness.
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in Harvard, MA
Marilyn uses some newer psycho-therapeutic modalities in which she has trained over the past decade. These modalities include EMDR, Hypnotherapy, 'Focusing', a process developed by
Dr. Eugene Gendlin, and Psychological Acupressure Techniques including TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique), TFT (Thought Field Therapy), and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Much of this training has been with developers of the techniques, including acupuncturist Tapas Fleming, and EFT's Gary Craig. The intention of these and her ongoing trainings is to offer clients options in the ways they can manage the distress of emotional trauma.
These modalities and skills contribute to a holistic approach, augmenting Marilyn's foundation of Mind/Body and Gestalt work, Cognitive Behavioral, and Systems theory.
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
-Mother Teresa-
Psychological Trauma
In the face of a threat, the autonomic nervous system responds to prepare us for fight or flight. With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the nervous system remains "frozen" at the point of trauma and fails to return to a normal, balanced state. The PTSD symptoms are an expression of this undischarged energy.
Recent research suggests that traumatic memories are stored in the brain differently than ordinary memories. It appears that exposure to severe trauma overwhelms the brain so that the resulting memories are imprinted as sensory fragments rather than an integrated, coherent whole.
These functions take place primarily in the region of the brain called the amygdala, part of the limbic system which controls mood and emotions. A person with PTSD may therefore have intrusive memories and other strongly emotional symptoms such as nightmares and flashbacks of the trauma.
Coping after a Tragedy
EMDR
Developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has been researched as an effective treatment for psychological trauma. EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing, is a therapeutically directed process of side-to-side eye movements similar to Rapid Eye Movement (REM) in normal sleep.
While REM sleep allows the brain to dissipate daily stress, EMDR takes this process a step further when a traumatic event has overwhelmed the nervous system. Through the bilateral eye movements and free association, EMDR decreases the impact of the targeted memory. Therefore, the memory is not erased however the emotional response is "desensitized". The EMDR process is completed by linking a positive thought with the memory, thus enhancing emotional resources such as self-esteem and a sense of well-being. This is the "reprocessing" piece of the treatment.
In addition to integrating EMDR with psychotherapy in her practice, Marilyn also accepts referrals from therapists for EMDR treatment with clients. In such cases, a
is made
for this piece of trauma work.
Brain SPECT Imaging
by Dr. Daniel Amen
Marilyn Brine Gilmour,
MSW, LICSW
20 Main Street/Suite 300
Natick, MA 01760
(508) 893-0914
MBG1045_Verizon.net
EMDR Consultation Agreement.doc
consultation agreement
The process of hypnotherapy is accomplished through simple guided relaxation by the therapist using techniques such as counting and vizualization. In the state of hypnosis, ones ever-engaged conscious mind fades into the background allowing the client to access the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is a storehouse of experienced information which readily accepts suggestion.
The client and therapist mutually develop the goals of hypnotherapy in integration with their ongoing therapeutic work. Together they target areas for reinforcement or suggestion. For instance, positive qualities can be reinforced, or suggestions can be made for the client to respond differently to problematic issues such as those based in fear and anxiety.
Marilyn has additionally led workshops in stress reduction which include relaxation techniques such as meditation and guided vizualization. One guided vizualization is the process of creating a "safe place", which is also used as a preparation and foundation for EMDR work. Some of the other techniques which Marilyn uses in her work include healing chakra meditation and body scan relaxation.
Marilyn's skill is in not only having an eclectic set of therapeutic tools but more importantly, her intuitive sense of when to use each.
Over the past two decades, several new psychotherapeutic modalities with roots in ancient healing traditions have been developed to regulate the effects of psychological trauma. As with acupuncture, these modalities are based on the body's meridian system - or electrical energy pathways which connect specific points called acupoints. However, rather than using needles, these psychological energy techniques work by touching ones fingertips to the points, creating an energetic shift.
Under the heading of Energy Psychology are several modalities, the most prominent of which are TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique), TFT (Thought Field Therapy), and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). TAT provides a framework which allows the client to confront and integrate the traumatic reaction, which is seen as a Yin Yang imbalance. While TAT uses a light touch on points of the head, TFT and EFT use tapping with ones fingertips on specific acupoints while focusing on the disturbing issue, to bring balance to the disrupted energy field.
These psychological acupressure techniques can be used as a part of therapy or taught to clients to reduce stresses and emotional issues
that arise in
daily life.
Reiki
Reiki is a term derived from the Japanese words REI, which means spirit, and KI meaning energy or life force. Together these can be translated as spiritual energy or life force - the subtle energy which flows through all living things. Brought to the Western world as a practice through Japan, Reiki has its roots in ancient Buddhist scripture and can be traced back thousands of years to Tibetan monks.
A Reiki treatment lasts about an hour, preceded by the client sharing any concerns. During the treatment, the client lies fully-clothed on a massage table in a comfortable environment, often with calming music.
As the Reiki practitioner uses a technique of gently laying her hands upon the client's body in a variety of treatment patterns, the client may experience such sensations as warmth or may drift into a pleasant light sleep. As the concentrated life force energy is received through the Reiki practitioner, the client may also experience a subtle emotional release and relaxation.
Rather than being a cure, Reiki lends support to the immune system. It does this by enabling the body's natural tendency toward balance, thereby reducing stress and physical symptoms. For those traumatized by abuse and invasive medical procedures, Reiki can reeducate the body that touch can be nurturing, safe, and respectful. Reiki is currently being used in many medical communities to support the healing process.
Marilyn's Reiki lineage:
Reiki Jin Kei Do
Patricia Warren, Master Teacher
INTAKE FORM10-2011.doc
The office is handicap accessible by elevator and is also a convenient walk
from the Natick stop of the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail.
