How we heal from Trauma
The common used definition for trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting negative effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. Trauma can be caused by a variety of events, including physical or sexual abuse, natural disasters, accidents, and combat. The effects of trauma can include feelings of fear, anxiety, and guilt, as well as physical symptoms such as difficulty sleeping and flashbacks. Trauma can also lead to the development of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, some of the pioneers of trauma healing, have a slightly different definition of trauma and I would like to share their view with you.
Gabor Maté, a physician and author, has a unique perspective on the definition and causes of trauma. He views trauma as a result of prolonged stress, particularly during critical periods of development such as childhood. Maté believes that traumatic experiences in early life can disrupt the development of the nervous system, leading to chronic health problems and mental health issues in adulthood. Maté also emphasizes the role of attachment in understanding trauma, arguing that a lack of secure attachment in childhood can make individuals more vulnerable to experiencing traumatic events and developing related mental health problems.
Peter A. Levine, an American psychologist and author, has developed a theory of trauma and healing known as Somatic Experiencing. According to Levine, trauma is a natural response to overwhelming stress or life-threatening experiences. He argues that the body has a built-in mechanism for processing and healing from trauma, but this process can become disrupted when the stress response is not completed. Levine argues that unresolved traumatic stress can become "frozen" in the body, leading to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. He emphasizes the importance of allowing the body to fully experience and release the physical sensations associated with traumatic memories in order to fully heal from trauma.
Bessel van der Kolk, a psychiatrist and author, has a comprehensive understanding of trauma and its effects on individuals. He defines trauma as a "disruption in the ability to integrate memories, emotions, sensations and cognition" which affects the way people relate to their surroundings, to themselves and to others. He argues that traumatic events can overwhelm the brain's ability to process and store information, leading to the formation of fragmented, dissociated memories that are difficult to integrate into a coherent narrative. He also highlights the importance of understanding the neurobiological and physiological effects of trauma, as traumatic events can change the way the brain processes and responds to information, leading to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. Furthermore, van der Kolk's work emphasize the importance of treating not only the psychological symptoms of trauma, but also the physical symptoms, such as the chronic pain, headaches, or sleep disturbances.
When I work with Past Life and Regression Therapy to transform trauma, the definitions of trauma by Gabor Maté, Peter A. Levine and Bessel van der Kolk are the basis for my work. Every session is adadpted to the clients specific needs in the moment.
But as you can see, there are many different definitions of trauma and hence, the healing modalities vary as well. I would like to share with you, apart from Regression Therapy, which has a holistic approach, other therapeutic modalities that have been developed specifically for the treatment of trauma. Some of the most well-known and widely used include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and beliefs that may be associated with traumatic experiences. CBT can also help individuals learn coping strategies and techniques for managing symptoms of trauma such as anxiety and depression.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a psychotherapy that aims to reduce the distress caused by traumatic memories by having the individual focus on an external stimulus, such as the therapist's finger moving back and forth, while recalling the traumatic event. EMDR is believed to help the individual process and integrate the traumatic memory, leading to a reduction in symptoms.
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Peter Levine, SE is a body-centered therapy that emphasizes the importance of allowing the body to fully experience and release the physical sensations associated with traumatic memories in order to fully heal from trauma. SE practitioners work with clients to help them become more aware of and comfortable with their physical sensations, and to develop the ability to regulate their physiological arousal.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): This type of therapy combines elements of CBT and EMDR to help individuals process and come to terms with traumatic experiences.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP): Developed by Pat Ogden, SP is a body-centered approach to the treatment of trauma that focuses on the relationship between bodily sensations, emotions, and memories. The therapist works with the client to explore the relationship between their physical sensations and emotions, and to develop the ability to regulate and process traumatic memories.
Mindfulness-Based therapies: These therapies such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) involve teaching clients mindfulness techniques such as meditation and yoga to help them develop greater awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. These techniques can help individuals learn to manage symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, depression, and flashbacks.
Group Therapy: Group therapy can be helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma because it allows them to share their experiences with others who have gone through similar experiences, which can help to reduce feelings of isolation and shame.
Family Therapy: Family therapy can be helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma because it allows them to work through the trauma with the support of their loved ones.
It's important to note that not all therapeutic modalities work for all individuals, and some may find one more effective than others. A professional therapist with expertise in trauma treatment will be able to evaluate and recommend the most appropriate treatment for a particular individual.
How can Regression Therapy help in healing trauma?
Regression therapy is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals access and process unresolved traumatic memories that may be impacting their present-day experiences and behaviors. This therapy aims to help clients understand and integrate past experiences that may be contributing to current symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In regression therapy, the therapist may use guided visualization or hypnosis to help the client access memories from their past. This can involve revisiting traumatic events, exploring the emotions and sensations associated with those events, and working to process and integrate the memories in a way that reduces their negative impact on the individual's present-day experiences.
The goal of regression therapy is to help individuals understand and make sense of their past experiences, leading to a reduction in symptoms and improved well-being. This type of therapy can also help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and insight into the origins of their current behaviors and experiences.
With Past Life and Regression Therapy, the client is guided to events that may have had a karmic impact on the present life, traumas from past lives that remain unresolved. In this particular incarnation, the soul has as a goal to re-live certain traumatic events in order to understand all perspectives and transform the negative emotions. Past Life and Regression Therapy is a spiritual approach to psychotherapy, where the soul is in the middle and focus of the attention.
I hope this short essay on trauma gives you a good overview. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Love,
Sonia