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Give Her A Voice Newsletter
Sent Friday, December 9, 2011
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What is Complex Trauma? "Complex trauma or Disorder of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS) refers to a condition resulting from exposure to multiple traumas or from exposure to high levels of chronic stress. Whereas Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops from exposure to a single traumatic event, complex trauma results from multiple exposures to one or more traumas. When the human organism is repeatedly exposed to traumatic stress, disruptions can occur in brain functions and structures, endocrinological function, immunological function, and central and autonomic nervous system arousal. These biological disruptions interact with psychological, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive processes and a variety of disturbances can result that go beyond the re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, and arousal symptoms that characterize PTSD."-Dr. Felicia Mueller, Psychotherapist Continue reading about Complex Trauma HERE
Give Her A Voice: A Helping Hand "There are many things that constrain our lives, that limit us somehow, whether it be a family history, a genetic predisposition, a specific fault, or an omission that wounds us...I call these limits we did not choose, but that we must live with, "fate." When we face our fate, we find our destiny, which is our soul's destination in life That which limits us has within it the seeds of that which can help us transcend our limitations. Through the exact twists of fate we find our own unique soul." - Quote by Michael Meade (an author) taken from an interview in the November 2011 issue of The Sun magazine Complex trauma is one of the most mis-diagnosed, undiagnosed and invisible psychological, emotional, sexual and physical disorders of the human condition. Why is this? Trauma is stored in the body, in the fascia that wraps itself in and around the muscle, in the brain that sends messages to the body to tense up, and in the musculature. Trauma is an incident or occurrence that happens inexplicably, through long-term stress or without warning. It is categorized as an overwhelming life-changing experience. It is typically a physical and/or emotional shock to the very fiber of one's being. Many of the clients I've worked with in my thirty-five year practice have been suffering from complex trauma without knowledge or guidance. After years of traditional, spiritual, alternative and progressive therapies, clients enter the Primal Healing and Art process and first identify unresolved painful issues of complex trauma that have affected their relationships, addiction recovery, stress management, career, chronic medical conditions, depression, anxiety, panic disorders and fears. They are still frozen in the emotional wounds, distress, sorrow, broken heartedness and meaninglessness of trauma and want to find their way back to their faith, creativity and intimacy with life. Many adults face the difficult task of healing from physical, emotional, spiritual, or sexual abuse suffered in childhood. This is often made more difficult by isolation and feelings of shame and self-blame. Survivors may feel they must protect or shield those who were the abusers, particularly if the perpetrators were family members. A cultural conspiracy of silence has cloaked the open discussion of these abuses; thankfully, that seems to be lessening. Many support groups and recovery groups now exist. They help to reduce the abuse survivor's sense of isolation and provide safe places where traumatic childhood events can be talked about and worked through. Healing from childhood abuse is a complex task. Recent brain research has illuminated how child abuse damages the brain. The impact of this trauma results later in adulthood through symptoms and disorders; addiction, mental illness, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, PTSD, weight disorders, sleep disorders, migraines and many other ailments. The complexity of symptoms resulting from trauma have fragmented our medical, psychological, spiritual and creative interventions to deal only with symptoms and coping skills, and not the core trauma. Healing the complex trauma of abuse is a holistic and creative process that needs to be incorporated alongside cognitive-behavioral, somatic, spiritual, creative, alternative and energy medicine approaches that the public at large is not yet aware exists. Most insurance providers do not recognize these alternatives and the general public does not have access or knowledge of their options to heal. GHAV wants to be a wellspring, a resource, a process and hand to hold in walking each person through their own individual path for healing. It is not "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to healing trauma. Every individual on this earth has the undeniable right to the pursuit of happiness available to them. We as citizens are responsible for the well being of the species and the continuation of the planet. Each newsletter will inform, educate, give resources and welcome feedback and questions. In addition, the GHAV and Primal Healing blogs will support and offer extended creative, spiritual and alternative options for living life to its fullest. In order to reach healing, inner peace, creativity, health and conscious living, we need to heal the trauma that perpetuates in families, communities, and the world. This is a global and universal challenge. We all need to participate in healing ourselves first, which extends as light from our hearts and souls out into the world. GHAV Newsletters will address: * Informative and enlightening articles and videos * Creative blog posts * Resources * Calendar of Events * The Telling and Programs Give Her A Voice Blog Trauma, Brain and Relationship: Series from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute Trauma, Brain and Relationship: Helping Children Heal is a six part series on trauma from the now defunct Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Click below to visit the Give Her A Voice blog to watch the first two videos and read an article on Attachment and Adult Relationship. Videos 3 - 6 to follow. Also read two client poems, Silence and Daddy.  Resource
The ChildTrauma Academy (CTA) is a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. www.childtrauma.org |
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