Vergal Chuck Dawson, Ma, LMFT, APA Board Certified
Mental Health Counselor / Therapist
Corrales, NM 87048
Short Term Intensive Breakthrough Therapy
Ask your self
"Am I stuck on this issue?"
"Do I feel like I need some help just getting into it?"
"I want to get thru it and I do not want to spend the rest of my life in the process!"
If you want a safe enviornment.... You have come to the right place!
Chuck does short term intensive for individuals, couples and young adults. Anger management and PTSD VETS
He is also a Collaborative Law Neutral Divorce and Communications Coach.
Short term and intensive sessions are available for a wide variety of people and situations..
I offer an eclectic approach, including methods and ideas from many theoretical schools.
I work with individuals and couples and families to bring immediate change. Motivated
clients are welcomed. My client focus are basically healthy people with a targeted problem
or challenge to resolve.
IMPROVE the moment
This skill is used in moments of distress to help one relax.
Imagery - Imagine relaxing scenes, things going well, or other things that please you.
Meaning - Find some purpose or meaning in what you are feeling.
Prayer - Either pray to whomever you worship, or, if not religious, chant a personal mantra.
Relaxation - Relax your muscles, breathe deeply; use with self-soothing.
One thing in the moment - Focus your entire attention on what you are doing right now. Keep yourself in the present.
Vacation (brief) - Take a break from it all for a short period of time.
Encouragement - Cheer lead yourself. Tell yourself you can make it through this(affirmations)
Wise counsel on the situation (therapy)
Amygdala Hijack
The amygdala is the “fight or flight” and emotional memory part of the brain. Its
job is to protect by comparing incoming data with emotional memories. An amygdala
hijack occurs when we respond out of measure with the actual threat because it has
triggered a much more significant emotional threat. For instance, the amygdala will react
similarly to the threat of being eaten by a tiger (physical threat) and the threat of an ego
attack (emotional threat) by bringing on the fight or flight reaction.
When one experiences an amygdala hijack, the amygdala overtakes the neocortex
(the thinking part of the brain) and there’s little or no ability to rely on intelligence or
reasoning. The immediate result of a hijack is a decrease in working memory; adrenaline
is released and will be present and effective for 18 minutes; hormones are released into
the bloodstream and will take 3-4 hours to clear.
During hijack, the number of perspectives
accessible decreases; instead of 4 possible
solutions, the observer will see 3 (excluding
half of his original perspective), then 2
(creates an either/or choice), then only 1.
When only 1 choice remains, the hijack is
complete and the observer returns to a default,
habitual behavior. A Model to Interrupt Amygdala Hijack
Stop –Physically withdraw. If impossible, name the trigger or emotion (keeps the
neocortex engaged and active and helps to prevent the amygdala from taking over).
Oxygenate – Taking deep breaths with intention and purpose. Pay attention to
breath. Keeps neocortex engaged.