About EquiAttune
About Cara
The Neuroexperiential Model
The Neuroexperiential Model
Cara Wilkerson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Florida, and Texas with over 19 years experience providing therapy. She graduated Suma Cum Laude, from California State University San Marcos, with a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. She completed her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology
Cara Wilkerson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Florida, and Texas with over 19 years experience providing therapy. She graduated Suma Cum Laude, from California State University San Marcos, with a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. She completed her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She specializes in treating complex PTSD, trauma, dissociation, and anxiety.
Cara is a trauma expert, a Consultant for both Brainspotting and EMDRIA as well as Certified in Brainspotting, EMDR, and the Eagala model of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning. She developed EquiAttune which integrates the Neuroexperiential Model of Brainspotting and the Dual Attunement Frame into equine assisted psychotherapy and learning sessions.
Cara has owned and run her own private practice for the last 10 years, and has previous experience working in group practice settings, school settings, non-profits, and working with the San Bernardino Drug Court. In addition, Cara is a Clinical Supervisor to associates working towards their licensure.
https://cara-wilkerson-marriage-and-family-therapist.webnode.page/about-us/
The Neuroexperiential Model
The Neuroexperiential Model
The Neuroexperiential Model
Brainspotting is a treatment method within the Neuroexpierential Model (NEM) which provides a safe relational place for clients to heal. It is a relationship focused, developmental, and parts model that creates a space for the client to access different areas of the brain and nervous system responsible for regulation, in order to process
Brainspotting is a treatment method within the Neuroexpierential Model (NEM) which provides a safe relational place for clients to heal. It is a relationship focused, developmental, and parts model that creates a space for the client to access different areas of the brain and nervous system responsible for regulation, in order to process and release previously stored trauma.
It works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/somatic pain, trauma, dissociation, anxiety, depression, phobias, addictions etc. Brainspotting works deep within the brain and the body through its direct access to the autonomic and limbic systems within the body's central nervous system. Brainspotting is a mindfulness and physiological approach which helps process and release current dysregulation caused from past trauma.
Brainspotting functions as a neurobiological approach within the support of the clinical healing relationship, in which the client leads the processing, in which we locate, focus, mindfully process, and release experiences and symptoms that are typically out of reach of the conscious mind.
Brainspotting was discovered by David Grand, Ph.D. in 2003. Since then, Brainspotting has developed into an in-depth therapeutic process that can be integrated with other healing modalities in either individual or couples therapy.
Brainspotting can be used with athletes of all abilities, actors, writers, musicians, as well as with public speakers to enhance performance.
It is possible to release trauma from either an activated or resourced place within the body. The power of Brainspotting is that one does not necessarily have to relive the traumatic event at the same level of intensity as the original trauma. Because of this, it is possible to resolve the trauma in a more contained, compassionate manner.
Trauma and stress can often overwhelm the nervous system. With the support of the therapist, Brainspotting helps the client discharge the trauma and regulate the nervous system.
For more information visit: https://brainspotting.com/about-brainspotting/what-is-brainspotting/
Why Horses
The Neuroexperiential Model
Why Horses
Therapeutically equines have been shown to assist people in developing healthy relationships, developing healthy boundaries, increasing self confidence, and increasing empathy towards others. they have been described as providing nonjudgemental therapeutic relationship in which people have expressed feeling loved, protected, and able to b
Therapeutically equines have been shown to assist people in developing healthy relationships, developing healthy boundaries, increasing self confidence, and increasing empathy towards others. they have been described as providing nonjudgemental therapeutic relationship in which people have expressed feeling loved, protected, and able to be their true self.
Being in the presence of equines has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, increase oxytocin, and have a favorable effect on heart rate variability, increasing access to regulatory areas of the nervous system.
Equines naturally add to both the Neurobiological and Relational Frames of the Neuroexperiential Model. In addition, they add to the practice of the Uncertainty Principle and the focused mindful processing of the client's chosen issue to work on.