My Philosophy
Trauma affects all of us; it’s inescapable, embedded in the very nuance of life: There are the obvious traumas of death, loss and abuse, but consider the more subtle traumas of suffering and despair such as when you can’t be with a beloved, when someone close to you is unpleasant, when you’re invalidated or unseen or when a child doesn’t quite get the connection they need. Trauma occurs when our systems are overwhelmed and there is no place for the emotion associated with these experiences to go; when we feel scared and helpless.
These difficult experiences are split off; not neurobiologically connected to other experiences or made sense of yet and wreak havoc on our nervous system and lives. It shows up like panic, addiction, diminishment, social anxiety, sleep issues and difficulties in relationships. Ultimately, we’re not fully living in the present, our past experiences are in the present and driving our bus.
When the unprocessed emotions and associated physical sensations are discharged or find a home through neural connection to other experiences, healing occurs. Symptoms dissipate, parts of self integrate and you begin to fully live in the present.
Photo by: Abigail Fenton Photography