Trauma
People cannot put traumatic events behind them until they are able to acknowledge what has happened and start to recognise the invisible demons they’re struggling with.
Bessell van der Kolk M.D
What is trauma? Trauma can be exposure to an event, or ongoing events, that are distressing and engulfs your ability to reason, cope and process the trauma with potential long-term effects.
Our perception of trauma is just as valid as the trauma itself, and like any experience how we internalise the trauma and the meaning we make of it may be different.
Freud said of the effect of trauma that it is an unconscious attempt to replay what’s unresolved, so we can ‘get it right’. I would add to this - or to change the outcome.
Trauma compromises our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection with patterns of protection.
Stephen Porges
Traumatic Experiences…..
Abuse (physical, emotional, psychological, sexual)
Abandonment (physical and emotional)
Childhood Neglect
Natural disaster
Sudden loss of a loved one
Childbirth/Stillbirth
Bullying
Accidents
Witnessing an accident, assault or crime
Coercive control by another
Racism, discrimination, and oppressionWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Impacts of trauma
Trauma can mean we repeatedly play out dysfunctional coping strategies over and over again but getting the same result and keeping us stuck in a loop of pain, fear and protection. Some impacts of unresolved trauma can include….
Isolation
Conflict and issues in relationships
Feeling stuck
Intrusive thoughts and memories
Hypervigilance
Hyperarousal
Loss of interest in things that you used to be passionate about
Avoidance of certain situations, people or activities
Adopting unhealthy coping behaviours
Somatic….
Physical responses including heaviness, constriction and pain
Headaches
Digestive issues
Fatigue
Racing heart
Sweating
Find a way through…….
I offer a safe space for you to engage with and allow painful experiences and emotions to come to the surface (when it feels safe to do so) to be acknowledge and processed. I will help you create new ways of dealing with the trauma and the ongoing effects that impact your sense of self and relationships with others. I will strive to help you find new meaning and a better understanding of self.
Trauma is stored in our bodies and nervous systems keeping our bodies hostage to the trauma. I will help you get in touch with your body and make sense of what is happening in your body as protective and coping measures. I will help you become more attuned and aware of how your body is holding the trauma and how to allow this to graciously dissipate when the body feels safe enough to do so.