Trauma is defined as an "event outside normal human experience." These types of events are generally considered to be emotionally painful, distressing, and may overwhelm a person's ability to cope. In turn, this may leave a person feeling helpless or powerless. Feeling powerless is an important concept to keep in mind when trying to understand trauma -- especially as this applies to trauma in children.
Many people tend think of trauma as the result of an incident or an "event. Typically, people recognize war, rape, physical violence, sexual abuse, and natural disasters as potentially traumatizing experiences. But I believe less recognize the significant impact that chronic neglect, on-going verbal abuse, and/or poor early childhood care can have on a child's emotional health and brain development. Sadly, the repercussions of early childhood trauma may be at the core of many emotional, psychological, sensory, and neurological difficulties.
Trauma Theory teaches us that when experiencing stress or a threat (either perceived or real), the brain activates one of three potential protective responses -- fight, flight, or freeze. Possible behaviors within these specific categories include lashing out and/or rage (fight), withdrawing and/or running away (flight), or dissociation (freeze). Although many people may have heard these terms, I'm not sure how may recognize their own behaviors (reactions) as stemming from one of these possible protective responses to traumatic events in their lives.
After finding relief and healing through my own EMDR therapy, I was highly motivated to offer this powerful and effective therapy to my clients. I completed my training in 2015 and have been able to witness the amazing transformation, growth, and healing in many people's lives. Wanting to further my training and knowledge in trauma treatment, I received training in Brainspotting in 2016. These powerful brain-based techniques allow clients the potential to process traumatic experiences in relatively shorter periods of time than with talk therapy alone.
Wanting to add more tools to my toolbox, I became a Certified Yoga Instructor by completing 200 hours of training. I knew that diaphragmatic (deep) breathing, Mindfulness techniques, and physical movement have been proven to help reduce the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Thus, my purpose in becoming a yoga instructor aligned with my desire to help clients find relief from traumatic life experiences.
Chaos demands to be recognized and experienced before letting itself be converted into a new order. ---Hermann Hesse