Healing Trauma

It’s been a while since it happened…

… and you thought you were over it.

You wonder why it’s still bothering you. After all, you’ve been through worse!

But the thoughts and memories keep popping back into your mind. And every time they do, it’s like it’s happening again.

Your body tenses up, and your breathing gets rapid and shallow. The anxiety and dread are crushing. Sometimes you even get disoriented and lose track of where you are.

It takes so long to calm back down, breathe normally again, and realize that you’re not in danger. And it takes so much energy every – single – time.

And afterward, you might be left with residual feelings like shame or guilt. Your brain might be telling you that it’s not your fault, but, somehow, your body doesn’t believe it.

Doing this again and again… it’s just too much.

Our reactions to trauma are all about keeping us safe.

Your mind and your body are trying to protect you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Unfortunately, the things that they’re doing to keep you safe often come with side effects. And, as you know, they’re not always helpful.

Trauma researchers Peg Duros and Dee Crowley have given us a framework for thinking about what causes trauma:

Too much too soon…

There’s the best-of-intentioned single mom with three little kids who is working two jobs to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. While her oldest is only eight, she’s primarily responsible for taking care of her little brother and sister when mom’s at work. And while she’s only eight, she wants to help! But she is, in fact, only eight, and she doesn’t have all the knowledge or skills necessary to care for them. It’s too much responsibility way too soon.

Too much for too long…

He’s your Dad, but he’s also an alcoholic. You really can’t remember when he started drinking. It’s always been something he did. And when he drinks, he gets angry and terrifying. You can tell by the way he walks in the door what the night will be like. And in the morning, you’ll have to get yourself ready, get to school, and act like everything is normal because, after all, he’s your Dad, and you love him. This was your whole childhood… days, months, and years. Maybe even still today. It was, and is, a lot; for a long time.

Too little for too long…

Money has always been tight. It’s a real struggle that’s gone on way longer than you thought it would. Always worried about how you can pay the rent, sometimes it feels impossible! It’s a constant strain, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is too little money, and it’s been this way for too long.

I know you’re hurting, but I can help.

You don’t have to live your life on the edge, getting overwhelmed and barely skimming the top of what life has to offer.

You deserve help. You deserve to have satisfaction – to get more out of your relationships and day-to-day life.

You don’t have to spend all your energy managing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and sleeplessness.

Here’s what we’ll do to help you feel more grounded, present, and safe in your life…

Modern science knows that our brain can be rewired to increase capacity with all its beautiful neural networks in connection with our nervous system. You become more fully embodied – present in the here-and-now versus being stuck in the past and worried about the future. Changing the pathways in the brain, its interpretation of what is a threat, changes what our brain tells our bodies.

Using the most recent and relevant information about the five key brain areas impacted by trauma, you’ll learn how to influence your brain and calm it down and stop overreacting. This, in turn, will give you a sense of control when you get anxious, overwhelmed, and afraid. Further, we’ll work together to discover and implement techniques and methods to calm the brain, and thus the body, over the long term.

What’s most important to know is that the way your beautiful brain has wired itself has been a strategy to keep you safe, not a weakness or moral deficit. Let’s find new strategies that keep you safe and also happy, and content today.