The topic of trauma is a large catch-all topic thrown around daily in conversation. But what is it, and more importantly, how do we heal trauma? There are various levels of trauma, and some traumatic experiences may even lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or, possibly even Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) when the trauma occurs earlier in life. This blog post will discuss the new way to heal trauma and help people achieve peace in their lives.
What is Trauma?
In past years, trauma has become a more normal part of the conversation. However, there are different levels of trauma under the trauma umbrella. Some people may have a lower threshold for traumatic experiences, which may mean they are more susceptible to being influenced by high levels of stress. Thus, they may call this stress a trauma event.
Even more so, trauma comes into play when our well-being or life becomes directly jeopardized or when we unexpectedly find out the loss of someone close. These events have the potential to lead to PTSD in life. If left untreated, PTSD can negatively affect your later life.
Lastly, if a child is exposed to chronic neglect, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, this can result in CPTSD. CPTSD is also referred to as development trauma as it typically occurs when the child is growing and developing. CPTSD can have profound impacts later in life in areas such as relational dynamics, self-worth and esteem, emotion regulation, and mind-body connection. All of the above experiences, trauma, PTSD, or CPTSD, have the potential to dysregulate the nervous system, which can interfere with a person’s quality of life.
What Does It Mean to Regulate the Nervous System?
For effective trauma therapy to work, your body needs to feel safe and secure enough to heal. Traumatic events often send the nervous system into dysregulation. This dysregulation can create many different challenges in a person’s life. One way to change this is through nervous system regulation. Polyvagal theory hones in why nervous system regulation is so important to teach and model before starting diving into trauma therapy.
So, although Polyvagal Theory is newer in the field, the research is just starting to show how the body needs to feel safe in order for trauma therapy to be effective. Somatic experiencing therapy is a body-oriented, Polyvagal Theory informed, form of psychotherapy aimed at regulating the body before beginning to shift the negative thoughts that often follow traumatic experiences. This form of therapy is trauma-informed and works by noticing, tracking, and integrating changes within the body, as trauma often leaves unresolved energy stored in the body that needs to be integrated.
Somatic Experiencing Therapy Union Grove, WI
At Revitalize Mental Health PLLC, I provide somatic therapy for those looking to heal from trauma, overwhelming stress, issues around needing to be perfect, feeling less than, or who struggle to connect with emotions.
I provide online somatic therapy for those who live throughout both Colorado and Wisconsin at this time. If you are looking for in-person therapy, I have found this works best for those who live near Pleasant Prairie, Racine, Mount Pleasant, and Franklin, Wisconsin. If you are ready to start healing and find calm in life and your body, call 720.295.6703 or submit an online form by following this link here.
