What is Trauma?
Trauma arises either when something is too fast and too much – a so-called shock trauma – or when something is missing or too little over a long period. The latter refers primarily to childhood, when something is lacking during crucial developmental stages, such as contact or attunement to needs. This results in developmental trauma.
Regardless of whether it is shock or developmental trauma, the body cannot process the experience and remains stuck in freeze, fight, flight, or ‘fawn’/people-pleasing.
This can happen in response to specific triggers, or as a more or less intense, constantly present mood and stress. Trauma can also express itself through chronic illnesses.
Trauma and the Body
Trauma initially resides in the body, or rather, in the nervous system. Merely understanding the trigger or the causes is often not enough because the body reacts automatically. Therefore, other approaches that involve the body are needed. It may also be that consistently drawing attention back to the original trauma is not helpful, as it reinforces on a systemic level that I must first go to the pain before I can feel better. This is why trauma therapy is complex, requiring time and sensitivity.
My Perspective on Trauma
I always want to find out who the person is that I am working with. What defines them, what do they feel connected to, and what do they long for? Consequently, the focus is much more on resources and desires rather than on the trauma or that which blocks me.
Furthermore, my perspective is that there is always a path toward integration and learning—we are built in a way that we want to find meaning in everything we experience. Our system always wants to grow. Mindfulness and acceptance of what is creates the space to pick up on and support the process that is already there.
The Process
If you would like to learn more about my work, you are welcome to book a free discovery call with me. I offer this so that we can look together at what your topics are and how I can support you with my methods. This allows you to get an initial feeling.
Then we would arrange a first session in which I gain an overview of your history, the topics, symptoms, what you have already done, etc. Afterwards, we will make an initial plan regarding which topics we will address and how long the therapy might take. Furthermore, we will go into a first session so that you can get more of a feel for the work.
Trauma therapy takes time, for example, for the body to feel safe again and for new pathways in the brain and behavioral patterns to form.