Trauma Release

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, causing feelings of helplessness, diminished sense of self, and emotional, physical, or psychological harm. This is a therapeutic service.

There are various forms of trauma, including:

Acute Trauma: This results from a single incident, such as an accident, natural disaster, or violent attack.
Chronic Trauma: This stems from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events, such as domestic violence or abuse.
Complex Trauma: This involves exposure to multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature, which can lead to broader impacts on an individual's development and overall well-being.

Common Clinical Symptoms of Trauma:

Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event
Avoidance of places, people, or activities that remind the person of the trauma
Increased arousal, such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, or being easily startled
Emotional numbness or detachment
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pains

My Therapeutic Approaches to Trauma:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Focuses on understanding and healing different parts of oneself, especially those affected by trauma.
Somatic Experiencing: Addresses the connection between mind and body, helping to release trauma stored in the body.
Integrative Trauma Therapy: Blends traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic and spiritual practices to address trauma on multiple levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

I focus on Integrative Trauma Therapy, blending traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic and spiritual practices to address trauma on multiple levels. I employ methods such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic experiencing, and other holistic approaches to facilitate trauma release and healing.

Spiritual Release

Spiritual Impact of Trauma:

As a therapist, I recognize that trauma manifests through clinical signs such as flashbacks and avoidance behaviors. However, I also believe that trauma can profoundly affect the spirit or soul. Even without a formal mental health diagnosis, individuals may experience spiritual unrest characterized by excessive rumination, insomnia, loss of appetite, and difficulty focusing. These spiritual impacts are as significant as physical symptoms and require holistic approaches to achieve healing.

Difference from PTSD:

While PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a formal mental health diagnosis defined by specific criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the spiritual impact of trauma goes beyond these clinical parameters:

Diagnostic Criteria: PTSD is diagnosed based on a specific set of symptoms, including re-experiencing the traumatic event (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of reminders, negative changes in mood and cognition, and increased arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, irritability). These symptoms must persist for more than a month and significantly impair daily functioning.

Broader Scope: The spiritual impact of trauma encompasses a wider range of experiences that may not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD but still affect an individual’s well-being. This includes feelings of spiritual disconnection, existential questions, and a sense of inner turmoil that might not be captured by the clinical definition of PTSD.

Holistic Perspective: Addressing the spiritual impact of trauma involves a holistic approach that considers the mind, body, and spirit. This can include practices such as meditation, energy healing, and spiritual counseling, in addition to traditional therapeutic techniques. It focuses on restoring a sense of inner peace and connection, rather than solely targeting the symptoms outlined in PTSD criteria.

Individual Variability: Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but many may still suffer from significant distress and spiritual unrest. Recognizing the spiritual impact allows for supportive interventions for those who do not fit the clinical diagnosis but need healing and support.

Understanding both the clinical and spiritual impacts of trauma allows for a comprehensive approach to healing, addressing both the psychological symptoms and the deeper, often more subtle, effects on the individual’s sense of self and connection to the world.