"Wounds of the psyche are held in the body.
And it is not until we can experience these wounds in a very physical, embodied way that we can untangle them completely."
~ Tara Brach
And it is not until we can experience these wounds in a very physical, embodied way that we can untangle them completely."
~ Tara Brach
But what is trauma and why does it last beyond the event?
Traumatic events are experiences that overwhelm our nervous system and at times our emotional systems. Ongoing traumatic responses and symptoms arise when we do not come fully out of this overwhelm, when our systems have not had the right conditions to integrate experience such that we can move forward in our lives without feeling like we are still carrying this experience in ways that disrupt our inner or outer lives. Often talking it through is not enough, because it is living in the body as if it were still happening.
In attending to ongoing symptoms of trauma there are many ways of moving through the traumatic responses.
Somatic Experiencing® works to help the body and mind to integrate the experience at the nervous system level (fight, flight, freeze) so that you can live in the here and now without your body still responding as if the trauma were still occuring.
Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP) is another body-based modality that supports our emotional system to come out of overwhelm and/or distress by embodying emotions more fully, using the whole body to regulate and experience these emotions safely and manageably.
In both of these modalities there are techniques that we apply to support the body's own renegotiation. But we also work with the relationship between the therapist and the client to safely and empathetically explore our experiences and allow them to resolve.
Trauma - as it has been described here - can come from shocks (accidents, surgeries, losses), but it can also come about from chronic stress. You may benefit from Somatic Experiencing® trauma therapy and ISP if you suffer from:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- High stress levels resulting in sleep issues, burnout, overwhelm (work, caring for someone, parenting, general life!)
- Chronic illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders
- Chronic pain
- Recent surgery or ongoing issues from surgery
- Pre and peri-natal trauma (for example: premature birth, born with cord around neck, stressful pregnancy/birth, trouble feeding)
- Or have other known traumatic experiences, including childhood trauma, emotional abuse, sexual trauma, car accidents, asssaults, or survived a natural disaster.
This work is suitable for adults, parents and children, and couples.
This work can be done through talking and through bodywork. Neither is better than the other, it is simply what suits you. Sometimes it does not feel safe to work with touch, at other times it is the best way. That can be decided by you or worked out together.
Want to find out more?
The document below has more detailed information about trauma healing, Somatic Experiencing® trauma therapy, and working with your therapist.
| trauma_can_be_healed_infosheet.docx |
You can also find more information about Somatic Experiencing® bodywork by following the link.
The Resources page has links to trauma supports and more information about Somatic Experiencing®.
For more information about qualifications and influences go to the About page.
To ask a question or book an appointment go to the Contact page or email chantal.innerstrength@gmail.com
The Resources page has links to trauma supports and more information about Somatic Experiencing®.
For more information about qualifications and influences go to the About page.
To ask a question or book an appointment go to the Contact page or email chantal.innerstrength@gmail.com
