An interview with Lauren Schuller, LPC, LCDC, ASAT-Candidate, Brainspotting Certified — Founder of Schuller Counseling in Dallas, TX.
How do trauma and addiction typically show up together in your clients, and where do you start with treatment?
Trauma and addiction go hand-in-hand. Almost all my clients with an addiction have significant underlying trauma, and the addiction is often used to cope with the trauma symptoms. Trauma leaves a person's nervous system in a state of fight-or-flight or perpetual shutdown, and the "high" from substances and behaviors can provide temporary nervous system regulation and relief or escape from uncomfortable feelings. The first goal of addictions treatment is to help the addict get sober from the substance or behavior, which we achieve using cognitive therapies in conjunction with 12 step programs. Once the addict is sober and stable enough, I begin the deeper trauma work using somatic (body-based) modalities like Brainspotting, which address trauma by healing the brain and body.
What is one thing about sex addiction therapy that is often misunderstood by the public?
The public often misunderstands the definition of a sex addict and the goal of sex addiction treatment. Contrary to popular belief, sex addicts are not simply people with a high sex drive or an interest in a wide variety of sexual behaviors. A sex addict is someone whose sexual behaviors have become compulsive and cause harm to self and others, resulting in distress, consequences, shame, and impaired functioning across multiple areas of life. A sex addict has lost control of their behavior, experiences escalation over time, and is unable to cut back or stop on their own; sex addicts also experience craving, tolerance, and withdrawal similarly to drug addicts and alcoholics. It is a common misconception that the goal of sex addiction treatment is to shame people for their sexuality and ask them to stop having sex altogether. Proper sex addiction treatment reduces shame and helps the client abstain from harmful and addictive behaviors and replace those behaviors with safe and healthy ones. Each sex addict has their own unique definition of sobriety based on their needs and circumstances.
You are certified in Brainspotting. How does that approach work for clients dealing with trauma?
In my experience, Brainspotting is one of the most efficient and effective therapies available for addressing trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting is a somatic (body-based) approach that allows clients to process from their subcortical brain and body, where trauma is held and expressed. Talk therapy only provides temporary relief from trauma symptoms, and clients typically only feel better until they're triggered again. Brainspotting offers true healing, neutralizing memories that once had so much emotional charge. Clients see a drastic reduction in trauma and PTSD symptoms and become able to talk about the worst thing that's ever happened to them like they're talking about the weather. Brainspotting is also very gentle and works well for complex trauma and those who dissociate or have a difficult time feeling anything at all.
What kind of client tends to do best with your approach, and who might be better suited for a different type of therapy?
I have had great success with clients who have an addiction and are ready to change and pursue recovery. I take people through the earliest stages of recovery all the way to sustained sobriety and a thriving new life. My approach requires action and engagement on the client's part, so anyone unable or unwilling to fully engage may struggle with it. I have also had great success with those who have a significant trauma history or are in a difficult season of life. Brainspotting is a fantastic modality for people who want true healing and are willing to connect with their bodies, but it would not be ideal for someone unwilling to feel their feelings.
If someone is considering counseling for the first time, what should they expect from an initial session with you?
New clients can expect to meet with me in-person or virtually for a relaxed and open conversation about what brings them to therapy and what they are trying to accomplish. I will ask questions, help my clients articulate their challenges, and discuss treatment options. My style is very warm, friendly, nonjudgmental, and also direct. Clients are encouraged to be real and honest in session and come as they are. This truly is a safe space where we can talk about the hard things, find real solutions, and create tangible change.