Have you ever found yourself stuck in a whirlwind of emotional distress, unsure of how to break free? The road to emotional healing can be long and winding, especially when faced with significant loss or trauma.
For over 25 years, psychologist Dr. Mark Rider has dedicated his practice in Northeast Tarrant County to helping individuals navigate this challenging journey. One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is witnessing patients reclaim their lives from the clutches of emotional pain.
However, progress can sometimes be painstakingly slow or incomplete. Determined to find ways to accelerate healing, Dr. Rider connected with Dr. V.S. Ramachandran of the University of California San Diego. The result? A revolutionary technique known as Revisioning. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Ramachandran's groundbreaking Mirror Therapy, which expedites healing for stroke victims and amputees experiencing phantom limb pain, Revisioning leverages the power of mirrors to promote emotional recovery from personal loss.
During the Mirror Therapy process, patients use a "mirror box" to trick their brains into thinking their affected limbs are moving. Mirror therapy for phantom limb pain causes pain relief and changes in the brain within days. Similarly, Revisioning helps people with prolonged grief.
Different than normal mourning, prolonged grief can take years or decades to resolve. Phantom limb pain and prolonged grief are actually caused by the same neuroplasticity. What Dr. Rider discovered was that holding a picture of a deceased loved one up to a mirror (so that the client can see their face and the photo in the mirror) reverses years of neuroplasticity and reduces the severe emotional pain. The goal is to rewire negative emotional patterns and forge new neural pathways, nurturing resilience and emotional well-being.
Since its inception, Revisioning has garnered nationwide acclaim, with presentations and publications showcasing its remarkable results. Therapists at Sierra Tucson Treatment Center, for example, found that Revisioning was just as successful as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in trauma resolution, with the added benefit of avoiding the need for clients to relive traumatic experiences.
For grief and trauma work, Revisioning requires a therapist to guide the process. But the perks don't end there. Revisioning also rekindles inner calm, happiness, self-esteem and vitality. So when chaos threatens to overwhelm, try a quick Revisioning exercise. Simply find an image of a serene locale, hold it up to a mirror so you can see the photo and your face in the mirror, and wait for the positive emotions to flow. Revisioning offers a powerful, transformative tool to help you bounce back and embrace life's beauty.