I attended a training on transforming trauma with Somatic Experiencing founder Dr. Peter Levine and neuro-biologist and mind/body trauma specialist Dr. Ruth Lanius.
The training gave me so much hope. I now have a deeper understanding of the brain and body’s role in processing trauma. I learned some new tools that I am excited to implement as well.
The brain images presented over the weekend also solidified just how powerful body and energy work is in healing from trauma.
When I talk about trauma, I define it as anything that happened in someone’s life that is either too much, too soon, or too fast for the nervous system to completely process at the time that it happened.
Seeing the brain images shown at my training made it clear that the survival part of the brain and the reflective part of the brain are no longer working together after trauma. So when a sound, smell, or other trigger reminds our nervous system of the trauma, our brain jumps back to survival mode without the awareness and safety of the present.
The key is working with the survival brain, which is exactly what all the modalities that I offer do.
The survival brain communicates through the body and the nervous system. When we work with the body and nervous system, the brain can begin to come back online. This allows the brain to fully recognize that the trauma exists only in the past and not in the present or future.
If you have tried talk therapy but felt like you couldn’t quite get the shift you were looking for, it could just be because talk therapy cannot reach the survival brain level. For this level, we must go through the body; it’s the only way in. Once your mind/body connection repairs, talk therapy becomes fruitful again.
This training really solidified why the work I have been doing with my clients is so potent and creates long-lasting change by listening to the body, prioritizing the nervous system, and allowing the inner wisdom to set the pace without pressure or force.
If you feel curious about working with your body instead of trying to think your way through healing, I would love to support you.
If you are new to the work, I recommend scheduling a “New Client Session.” If you are returning to this work, then any session or group class will be supportive.
Not sure where to start? Book a connection call, and we can figure it out together.
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