Trauma & PTSD Whole Person Healing
"Hope significantly improves performance in life, as well as recovery from illness". ~ James S. Gordon
What is trauma?
Let's get one thing out of the way, trauma is trauma; big or small, old or new. What differentiates trauma from everyday stress is the impact that it has on our brain chemistry and in the functioning of our lives overall.
Simply put, trauma is a condition that can be developed after experiencing or witnessing a perceived threat such as a disturbing or scary event. It often, manifests as a loss of connection to ourselves, to our bodies, to our families, to others, and to the world around us.
It is important to note that what may traumatize you, may not traumatize someone else, and that would not mean that what you've experienced wasn't real or bad enough. Even when a traumatic event is experienced collectively, such as a natural disaster, it will not affect everyone in the same way.
Because as human beings we were created to withstand the toughest life's conditions, we in turn, organically develop coping mechanisms that helps us stay alive. This may be the reason why we may not have realized that we may have experienced trauma. However, upon careful observation, one may realize that trauma symptoms are present, even though trauma happens, conscious healing is a choice and our birthright.
Simply put, trauma is a condition that can be developed after experiencing or witnessing a perceived threat such as a disturbing or scary event. It often, manifests as a loss of connection to ourselves, to our bodies, to our families, to others, and to the world around us.
It is important to note that what may traumatize you, may not traumatize someone else, and that would not mean that what you've experienced wasn't real or bad enough. Even when a traumatic event is experienced collectively, such as a natural disaster, it will not affect everyone in the same way.
Because as human beings we were created to withstand the toughest life's conditions, we in turn, organically develop coping mechanisms that helps us stay alive. This may be the reason why we may not have realized that we may have experienced trauma. However, upon careful observation, one may realize that trauma symptoms are present, even though trauma happens, conscious healing is a choice and our birthright.
Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the triggering event itself. They stem from the frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits.
~ Peter Levine
~ Peter Levine
How do you know if you have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
You may be experiencing PTSD if you are experiencing several of the following symptoms after direct exposure, witnessing in person, or learning about an actual traumatic event, OR have felt fear of death and dying due to serious threat, injury, or sexual violence:
- Shock, denial, or disbelief
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Anger, irritability, mood swings
- Anxiety and fear
- Guilt, shame, self-blame
- Recurrent involuntary distressing memories or flashbacks related to the traumatic event(s)
- Sleep disturbance: restless sleep; difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
- Nightmares or distressing dreams related to the traumatic event(s)
- Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
- Withdrawing from others
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling disconnected or numb
- Persistent negative beliefs about yourself
- Reckless self-destructive behavior
- Diminished interest or participation in significant activities
- Feeling like an outsider looking in at your own life
Secondary and Vicarious Trauma
Secondary trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress (STS), can occur suddenly after a single exposure to trauma, such as hearing a patient's story. Symptoms include PTSD-like responses, such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal (insomnia and startling easily).
Vicarious trauma can develop over time as a result of prolonged exposure to trauma through working with people who have experienced trauma, or by hearing traumatic stories from others. Symptoms may include a shift in worldview, such as becoming more cynical or fearful, or more appreciative of what you have. Vicarious trauma can also lead to feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and being overwhelmed.
According to van Dernoot Lipsky and Burk, these two kinds of trauma affect anyone who interacts with the suffering, pain, and crisis of others or our planet. To name some examples, both secondary and vicarious trauma can be found in therapists, social workers, medical personnel, teachers, firefighters, police officers, ecologists, domestic violence workers, home health aides, animal shelters staff, international relief workers, social-change activists, and those caring for an elderly parent.
Vicarious trauma can develop over time as a result of prolonged exposure to trauma through working with people who have experienced trauma, or by hearing traumatic stories from others. Symptoms may include a shift in worldview, such as becoming more cynical or fearful, or more appreciative of what you have. Vicarious trauma can also lead to feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and being overwhelmed.
According to van Dernoot Lipsky and Burk, these two kinds of trauma affect anyone who interacts with the suffering, pain, and crisis of others or our planet. To name some examples, both secondary and vicarious trauma can be found in therapists, social workers, medical personnel, teachers, firefighters, police officers, ecologists, domestic violence workers, home health aides, animal shelters staff, international relief workers, social-change activists, and those caring for an elderly parent.
Categorizing Reactions to Trauma
Trauma may cause a range of reactions. Here are some common physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual reactions to trauma.
Physical reactions such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness; disturbed sleep and nightmares; and fatigue or exhaustion.
Emotional reactions such as feeling numb and detached; oversensitivity and not wanting to connect with others as a result of emotional triggers.
Mental reactions such as intrusive thoughts about the event; and repeatedly playing parts of the event over in the mind of what could have been done.
Lastly, spiritual reactions may include struggling to make spiritual sense of a trauma; developing a need to reconcile difficult events with beliefs; seeking closeness to a Higher Power, and sense of collaborating with a Higher Power or other divine or transcendent aspect of life in order to solve problems; and/or finding a great sense of purpose in life.
Physical reactions such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness; disturbed sleep and nightmares; and fatigue or exhaustion.
Emotional reactions such as feeling numb and detached; oversensitivity and not wanting to connect with others as a result of emotional triggers.
Mental reactions such as intrusive thoughts about the event; and repeatedly playing parts of the event over in the mind of what could have been done.
Lastly, spiritual reactions may include struggling to make spiritual sense of a trauma; developing a need to reconcile difficult events with beliefs; seeking closeness to a Higher Power, and sense of collaborating with a Higher Power or other divine or transcendent aspect of life in order to solve problems; and/or finding a great sense of purpose in life.
The kinds of Trauma I work with
Individuals who have experienced discrimination, abuse of power, and violence of any kind
based on:
Race, Ethnicity, or Skin Color; Gender; LGBTQ+ (gender expression and sexual and/or romantic orientation); Socio-Economic Background; Age; and Ability.
Racial Ambiguity & Mixed Race/Multiracial/Biracial or Monoracial Experience
Adult Immigration Trauma
based on:
Race, Ethnicity, or Skin Color; Gender; LGBTQ+ (gender expression and sexual and/or romantic orientation); Socio-Economic Background; Age; and Ability.
Racial Ambiguity & Mixed Race/Multiracial/Biracial or Monoracial Experience
Adult Immigration Trauma
Relational Trauma with adult survivors of child sexual, physical, and / or psychological abuse and neglect
Emotional Distress Syndrome of ADHD
Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS)
Challenging Psychedelic Experiences
Survivors of Violent Crimes
Survivors of Domestic Violence who no longer have contact with the abuser
Survivors of Rape
Survivors of War and Torture
Secondary and Vicarious Trauma
Survivors of Natural Disasters
Survivors of Any Kind of Accidents
Medical patients who have been given a serious diagnosis
Medical patients who have been informed that they have a terminal illness and are dying
Patients who have undergone surgery or another invasive medical procedure and are feeling traumatized by the experience
Sudden Death of a Loved One
Emotional Distress Syndrome of ADHD
Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS)
Challenging Psychedelic Experiences
Survivors of Violent Crimes
Survivors of Domestic Violence who no longer have contact with the abuser
Survivors of Rape
Survivors of War and Torture
Secondary and Vicarious Trauma
Survivors of Natural Disasters
Survivors of Any Kind of Accidents
Medical patients who have been given a serious diagnosis
Medical patients who have been informed that they have a terminal illness and are dying
Patients who have undergone surgery or another invasive medical procedure and are feeling traumatized by the experience
Sudden Death of a Loved One
I am READY to work on my trauma, what happens now?
How you deal with your trauma is up to you. However, I believe that we all do the best we can with what we have, even though it doesn't always work. If what you've tried so far is not working, or if you would like to face and heal a traumatic event for the first time, then you are in the right place.
For some time there has been a great deal of hype about the body-mind connection in trauma work, the neuroscience behind it, and actually, that is one of my specialties. Though I ask you, how is it possible to heal a soul wound without including the heart and the spirit? The soul of my work revolves around working holistically in a way that includes all 4 angles, so that you can have the best shot you can possibly have at moving through the trauma that is holding you back and into the life you are meant to live.
With a strong foundation in Body Psychotherapy and Dance Movement Therapy, the tools I use include: Somatic Experiencing, TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with somatic interventions, and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy). You can find relief and experience a positive shift in your life as soon as your first session!
Moreover, depending on what is in your best interest, some of the other supportive and effective tools I may incorporate into your trauma healing are: Visualization & Inner Imagery, Embodied Presence, Hakomi, Focusing, Gestalt Parts Work, Mindfulness, Movement-Based Interventions, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, The Moving Cycle, and Bioenergetics. Lastly, if you would like emphasis on the energy healing of your soul wound, as trauma is called by some Native American nations, then I may suggest Embodied PsychoEnergetic Healing Work which address both the psyche and the spirit.
It is well-known that healing happens in relationship, but why is that? Well, it is because our nervous systems are wired to connect with others for support, especially during challenging times. We are not robots; for me, it is important to provide relational support that communicates deep care, acknowledgement, and that I see and hear your pain at its deepest core. If this is the kind of support you are looking for, then we may be a good fit; however, to really know, it is best to connect via conference call and determine if we are a good fit for each other.
For some time there has been a great deal of hype about the body-mind connection in trauma work, the neuroscience behind it, and actually, that is one of my specialties. Though I ask you, how is it possible to heal a soul wound without including the heart and the spirit? The soul of my work revolves around working holistically in a way that includes all 4 angles, so that you can have the best shot you can possibly have at moving through the trauma that is holding you back and into the life you are meant to live.
With a strong foundation in Body Psychotherapy and Dance Movement Therapy, the tools I use include: Somatic Experiencing, TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with somatic interventions, and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy). You can find relief and experience a positive shift in your life as soon as your first session!
Moreover, depending on what is in your best interest, some of the other supportive and effective tools I may incorporate into your trauma healing are: Visualization & Inner Imagery, Embodied Presence, Hakomi, Focusing, Gestalt Parts Work, Mindfulness, Movement-Based Interventions, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, The Moving Cycle, and Bioenergetics. Lastly, if you would like emphasis on the energy healing of your soul wound, as trauma is called by some Native American nations, then I may suggest Embodied PsychoEnergetic Healing Work which address both the psyche and the spirit.
It is well-known that healing happens in relationship, but why is that? Well, it is because our nervous systems are wired to connect with others for support, especially during challenging times. We are not robots; for me, it is important to provide relational support that communicates deep care, acknowledgement, and that I see and hear your pain at its deepest core. If this is the kind of support you are looking for, then we may be a good fit; however, to really know, it is best to connect via conference call and determine if we are a good fit for each other.
“Trauma is not so much what happened to us, but, rather what we hold inside, in the absence of an empathic, mutually connected witness.” ~ Peter A. Levine
Often, I find that where there have been any traces of trauma, the after effects of it continue, usually for life. Though, is it possible to find a pearl in the midst of chaos and disaster?
The Adverse Effects of Chronic / Long-Term Trauma
Trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk supported that although firsthand experience with trauma leads to personal suffering, it can be sublimated into social or artistic action and thus can serve as a powerful agent for social change. For instance, consciously or unconsciously, some people may be drawn to working in helping professions that are connected to an earlier trauma in their lives; therefore, everyone in helping professions may greatly benefit from therapy as well.
Dis-ease tends to become chronic if it remains untreated for long periods of time. However, when tended to, it may become your strongest asset!
Dis-ease tends to become chronic if it remains untreated for long periods of time. However, when tended to, it may become your strongest asset!
The terms below are not clinical diagnoses. However, without pathologizing, I respectfully acknowledge the value of naming and working with inherent trauma-related struggles as there is scientific evidence that points to a likely correlation between childhood trauma, genetic factors (transgenerational trauma), and/or neglect, AND specific characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors such as:
Codependence - Codependents Anonymous defines codependence as embodying a list of behavioral and thinking patterns and characteristics of denial, low self-esteem, compliance, control, and avoidance a result of long-term trauma.
Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) - Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. supports that HSP's have a sensitive nervous system, are aware of subtleties in their surroundings, and are more easily overwhelmed when in a highly stimulating environment; often as a result of traumatic experiences.
Body / Character Armoring - A term coined by Welhelm Reich, the father of body psychotherapy, as the condition that results when life force energy is bound by muscular contraction and does not flow through the body.
All these characteristic patterns can be addressed as part of your whole person trauma recovery healing process.
Codependence - Codependents Anonymous defines codependence as embodying a list of behavioral and thinking patterns and characteristics of denial, low self-esteem, compliance, control, and avoidance a result of long-term trauma.
Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) - Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. supports that HSP's have a sensitive nervous system, are aware of subtleties in their surroundings, and are more easily overwhelmed when in a highly stimulating environment; often as a result of traumatic experiences.
Body / Character Armoring - A term coined by Welhelm Reich, the father of body psychotherapy, as the condition that results when life force energy is bound by muscular contraction and does not flow through the body.
All these characteristic patterns can be addressed as part of your whole person trauma recovery healing process.
Reach out when you are ready to: Get your head out of the dark cloud of trauma that hinders your vision, and take your life back!
If this sounds like something you'd like to do, then I warmly invite you to schedule a free 20-minute meet-and-greet online consultation, if you are feeling a strong desire to connect in order to see if we are a good fit for each other, and very importantly, discuss the movement you would like to experience in your life as a result of possible change and conscious transformation. - Lina
"The right way to wholeness is made up of fateful detours and wrong turnings." ~ Carl G. Jung
