Trauma
Trauma is our emotional reaction to being deeply disturbed and overwhelmed.
A list of traumatic experiences could include singular events like surviving a fire or a terrible car accident. It might also include experiences of abuse, neglect or witnessing someone you care about come to life-threatening harm.
Many traumatic experiences happen to us in childhood when we are most vulnerable because our self-concept and understanding of the world is dependent upon the adults in our lives to provide safety, reassurance and stability.
Trauma is our emotional reaction to being deeply disturbed and overwhelmed.
A list of traumatic experiences could include singular events like surviving a fire or a terrible car accident. It might also include experiences of abuse, neglect or witnessing someone you care about come to life-threatening harm.
Many traumatic experiences happen to us in childhood when we are most vulnerable because our self-concept and understanding of the world is dependent upon the adults in our lives to provide safety, reassurance and stability.
Because of the way that overwhelming experiences ignite our biological fight, flee or freeze responses it can have a profound effect on our physical body our emotional state, and our ability to think and make decisions. For the most part, this is adaptive, it is good. We don't have time to think about pulling our hand away from a hot burner. It is important to act reflexively. But if we live, day in and day out in an emotional climate of distress where a sense of peace is not restored it is maladaptive and our physical, social and emotional well-being can be severely compromised.
In fact, an increase in childhood adverse life events have been linked to an increased likelihood of some of the greatest medical and psychological concerns our nation faces today; depression, violence, auto-immune disorders, lung disease, heart disease and suicide http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/
There are many helpful ways for you to explore the ongoing effects of distressing events. Different therapists are trained in different ways to support your recovery and it is important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and their approach to treatment fits you.
In counseling settings some providers focus on eliciting core beliefs and their expression in the body and relationship patterns. Other providers focus on eliminating the distress associated with a specific memory through Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or hypnosis. Others, like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy takes a more cognitive approach focus’ on mindfulness, tolerating distress, interpersonal communication and how to change the emotions you want to change.
As a therapist, I integrate Narrative and Somatic approach in working with trauma. I recognize that disturbing events may have happened in the past, but they may also be happening in the present. You will be encouraged to begin by describing the effects of these distressing events on the story of your life and where you are headed. Together we'll explore through conversation and mindful attention how these experiences are influencing your thoughts, emotions and the quality of your vocational, social and spiritual relationships. You’ll also explore parts of your story that don’t seem to fit with the more painful mega themes and begin to make sense of these events too! Through your physical and emotional symptoms we’ll examine what it is that you long for and how to create a better present and a better future.
In fact, an increase in childhood adverse life events have been linked to an increased likelihood of some of the greatest medical and psychological concerns our nation faces today; depression, violence, auto-immune disorders, lung disease, heart disease and suicide http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/
There are many helpful ways for you to explore the ongoing effects of distressing events. Different therapists are trained in different ways to support your recovery and it is important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and their approach to treatment fits you.
In counseling settings some providers focus on eliciting core beliefs and their expression in the body and relationship patterns. Other providers focus on eliminating the distress associated with a specific memory through Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or hypnosis. Others, like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy takes a more cognitive approach focus’ on mindfulness, tolerating distress, interpersonal communication and how to change the emotions you want to change.
As a therapist, I integrate Narrative and Somatic approach in working with trauma. I recognize that disturbing events may have happened in the past, but they may also be happening in the present. You will be encouraged to begin by describing the effects of these distressing events on the story of your life and where you are headed. Together we'll explore through conversation and mindful attention how these experiences are influencing your thoughts, emotions and the quality of your vocational, social and spiritual relationships. You’ll also explore parts of your story that don’t seem to fit with the more painful mega themes and begin to make sense of these events too! Through your physical and emotional symptoms we’ll examine what it is that you long for and how to create a better present and a better future.
“There is no greater agony that bearing an untold story inside you.” Maya Angelou, I know why the caged bird sings.