Lucinda Bolinger, LPCC-S, CSAT, NARM Practitioner, EMDR-TR

I started the mend program in Columbus, Ohio to promote holistic healing for persons who reported struggling with addictive or compulsive behaviors related to sex and pornography. I also work with survivors of sexual trauma.

Life is a journey that takes us in many directions. The earliest parts of the journey can be the times when the foundation is created for vulnerability to addiction and compulsion for people who struggle with addictive and compulsive behaviors of any kind . Dr. Vincent Felitti, MD, the principal developer of the Adverse Childhood Experiences test, has clearly stated that there is a connection between childhood trauma and the appearance of addiction later in life: "Our findings indicate that the major factor underlying addiction is adverse childhood experiences that have not healed with time and that are overwhelmingly concealed from awareness by shame, secrecy, and social taboo" (The Origins of Addiction: Evidence from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study https://attachmentdisorderhealing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Felitti-VJ-Origins-of-Addiction-Evidence-fr-ACE-Study-2003.pdf, p. 7).
The mend program philosophy agrees that childhood trauma is the root of the addiction. The impact and influence of early-life trauma results in a deep well of pain and chaotic energy that begins to require more and more resources to manage. The mend program’s intent is to assist clients in creating rhythms of self-connection and healing to replace the chaotic energies of addiction and compulsion. A core competency and component skill base is developed to be used intentionally in order to counter the sequence of addictive and compulsive energies and the ritualized progression of their cycles.
The mend program employs trauma-informed approaches such as:
*Internal Family Systems (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZZ7sTX840&t=52s). I am a member of the Institute for Self-Leadership’s Online Continuity Program

*Neuro-Affective Relational Model (NARM). (What is NARM? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1h4Hv7ddHM&t=60s). I completed the NARM Certificate Program in 2018

*Polyvagal Theory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec3AUMDjtKQ&t=55s). I am a member of the Polyvagal Institute Online Community
*The Safe and Sound Protocol (Unyte iLs Safe & Sound Protocol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baalpOg3Yts). I completed the training for the Safe and Sound Protocol in 2022.

*EMDR. (Roy Kiessling - How EMDR works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuETPbnH5Ig&t=39s). I completed EMDR Training with Roy Kiessling in 2019.
In 2023, the mend program will begin implementing Neurofeedback to assist clients in addressing brain wave issues related to trauma. https://neurogrow.com/neurofeedback-complete-guide/

The mend program supports clients in restoring a stable quality of life and relationship. The first relationship that is addressed is the relationship between client and self and the disconnect created by the history of trauma is a principal focus of treatment. It is impossible to be abusive toward someone you deeply respect and care for - the restoration of the connection to self motivates moving from an intentional recovery program to consistent daily self-care based on the renewal of that relationship with self. Clients are assisted in participating in the resolution of trauma-related issues within the "story" of the trauma history that develop into beliefs that are the spiritual source of the addiction, and to create a narrative that is accurate, compassionate and accepting. The brain that is hijacked in service of self-destruction, and the dysregulation of nervous system and the rigid patterns of energies that power the addiction cycle are also targeted. The journey toward a good outcome can take its direction from clarity about who the person really is, and all that is really true about the person, which reveals itself over time as the tension levels in the body decrease and the client replaces them with the energies of new programming created by the client. Recovery is about getting something back, and re-claiming the right to a good outcome and the skills to achieve it are rewards worth investing in.

As far as me, I want all my clients and potential clients to know that I am a recovering food addict, and have my own history of trauma. I enjoy movies, music, the wonder of nature and the realm of animals . My goal is to be a life-long learner of important things - humanity, compassion and empathy, authentic living, spirituality, the synchronicity of life - everything that can contribute to growth and health in my life.