Trauma Healing
The Somatic Approach to Healing Trauma
What is Trauma?
- Originates as a response in the nervous system, not in an event
- Creates a state of overwhelm leading to sense of helplessness
- Upset which cannot be easily integrated
- Loss of boundaries, orientation and control
- The connection between self and others and the environment is broken
Disembodiment and Disconnection:
- The nature of trauma is disconnection from one’s bodily/somatic experience
- Healing and recovery is re-embodiment
- We work with clients to gently re-integrate their awareness of themselves within their body
Levels of Trauma
- Stress: Normative & developmentally appropriate
- Traumatic Stress: Symptoms tend to improve/resolve within a month
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) : Usually requires treatment to improve /resolve symptoms
- C-PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) : Can be lifelong debilitating without treatment
Symptoms of Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disrupted Sleep Patterns
- Overeating or Undereating
- Panic Attacks
- Addictions
Somatic Symptoms of Trauma
- Increased Heart Rate
- Cold Sweats
- Rapid Breathing
- Heart Palpitations
- Hyper-Vigilance
- Hyper-Startle Response
- Chronic Muscle Tension/Pain
- Dissociation
- Numbness
Cognitive Symptoms of Trauma
- Mistaken Beliefs
- Core Irrational Beliefs
- Negative Self Talk
- Defensive Responses
Digging Deeper: Understanding the "Red Zone"
Let’s take a look at the workings of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). This system is in charge of self-regulation, which is organ and metabolic function and homeostasis. The ANS regulates our moods and energy level. It is an electrical system, always attempting to return to an energy-efficient, balanced state called homeostasis.
Our Range of Resilience is our current capacity for doing our life. When we are operating within our Range of Resilience (Green Zone), our day is balanced with periods of arousal or activity, followed by periods of rest or relaxation, and then repeat. When we ignore our need for a break (rest or relaxation) or additional stressors present themselves, we may find ourselves entering into a state of hyper-arousal (Fight or Flight Mode). We may experience the signals or symptoms illustrated in the Red Zone.
Since the ANS is an energy conserving system, what goes up, must come down. Therefore, even short periods of intense arousal (Red Zone) will likely be followed by signs and symptoms of Hypo-Arousal (Blue Zone). This state of ‘freeze’ or numbness may last a long time, hours or even days, as you might imagine a mammal in hibernation. The goal is to help ourselves lead a more balanced life in the Green Zone or at least be able to effectively care for ourselves when we find ourselves in the Red or Blue Zone.
Trauma Treatment Options
Cortical Field Re-education
CFR aims to restore our natural human movement and reverse the conscious and unconscious compensations that developed to initially protect us at the time of trauma, but no longer help us.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is an evidence based therapy that has been proven to help clients manage symptoms of self harm, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders.
Rainbow Resilience
Rainbow Resilience is an LGBTQIA+ learning group that implements DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills to develop how to express your authentic self, find your voice, know your own self-worth, increase resilience and affirm your own body.
Reiki Holistic Energy Treatment
The intention of Reiki is to create deep relaxation, to help speed healing, reduce pain, and decrease other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy Play Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that was formally introduced in 1921. This approach is primarily used with children but can benefit
Creative Expression Therapy
Contact Us for More Info Creative Expression Therapy Creative Expression Therapy utilizes various mediums to release physical and emotional tensions that are habitually held in
Comprehensive Resource Model
Comprehensive Resource Model® The Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) was originally developed for use with those individuals who experience the challenges of Complex PTSD, severe Dissociative
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing promotes awareness and release of nervous system arousal and physical tension that remains in the body in the aftermath of trauma.
