Trauma is something most of us experience in life, from the dripping tap that is almost unnoticeable, to the more severe. It is never pleasant, and we all have different ways of coping with it consciously and unconsciously. However there are varying degrees, and it can really help to work with an experienced trauma therapist when it is impacting your life.
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a severe, acute type of trauma that occurs when a person perceives themselves to be in a life threatening situation, or sees something so horrific their mind cannot process it. Our minds try to though, because it has to process tall events to understand, release the emotional charge and then mentally file away. So nightmares and flashbacks can occur regularly until it is dealt with, accompanied by feelings of anger, shame, even guilt and a complete review of WHY????. War Veterans are well known to come back from their service of duty, with memories that are so bad, they are hard to handle. The same occurs with other service industry professionals such as ambulance staff and fire men/women.
It could be described as if on a normal day suddenly your view of the world changes profoundly, forever. And it's not just you it affects, it is everyone close to you too.
Sudden or severe events can also cause it, and some people find it Gard to seek help for a kong time time. Just talking or thinking about it can re-trigger intense flashbacks, so stage one of untreated recovery can often be an attempt to bury it.
Compounded Trauma
No less serious to the above, just different, compounded trauma occurs when one event happens one after another, not giving the person time to process or clear the first before another layer is added. Even the strongest of people can only tolerate so much before they can't get up on their own. It is at that point professional help is needed to regain a feeling of safety, stop the repeating cycle and rebuild from the difficult times they have experienced.
The Good News
Even the most serious trauma cases can be cleared. There are a lot of Vietnam War Veteran examples, working mostly with EFT (the Emotional Freedom Technique) who donated their time in return for intense trauma therapy and got better (videos available). After the treatment they could still see the events that took place, but the emotional charge no longer exists. Following deep healing a person can do something productive with the next stage of their lives. It does often take time, but compared to talking therapies, is relatively quick and once cleared, trauma release is highly effective. You can't box and bury things in life - not forever. But you can choose your timing and carefully research different methods, and practitioners when you are ready.
The Bad News
If you don't address any trauma based issue fully, you may find you at some point get re-triggered. A good example of this was during COVID, I noticed a few people who had experienced severe PTSD reverting back into an exaggerated heightened fear response after years of wellness Their intense fear of survival was being threatened again, leading to similar symptoms to the original event. I have also noticed clients can have old traumas reactivated many years later by something fairly minor.
Trauma Case Study
Many years after seeing a female client for domestic abuse related trauma, I received a call for a top-up. With her permission, the bones of the story were approved for this article. Something relatively minor occurred many years after a bad period in her life, and she experienced panic, anxiety and flashbacks to the events many years earlier. Thanks to her reaching out, it took one session to clear, but for a few days after the incident she was right back in the body response that had occurred 7 years previously.
How I can Help
I made a decision to focus primarily on business coaching, life path work and working with clients to improve or fine tune their lives. I felt I'd done my time with the really heavy cases 10 years ago now. But actually I was just burnt out from my other responsibilities and not fully healed this in myself. I changed my mind after this session. I had realised whilst I was on retreat in the States in 2019, whilst in deep shamanic meditation, that although I had had my fair share of trauma in my younger years, in the mid to late 2010-2020 period I understand it a much deeper level and so will be re-offering it to clients who need help with deep or complex trauma, PTSD, fears and phobias.
Understanding Trauma Takes More than a Text Book
There is a difference between training in something like this, gaining experience - getting results - and then also being able to understand the feelings at a bodily level. Though all different, there are also lots of similarities in how trauma clients feel nd it is much easier to tune in after having (personal) life experiences. It is not common in therapy to talk about your own experiences as a therapist. But 20 years down the track plus, I do realise there are some things you are better at helping people with, because you have bodily resonance that can't learn this in a Master's degree or book. And there is nothing better than seeing someone move through serious trauma and recreating their life.
I offer a free 40 minute Zoom call to discuss what you need, share what you want too and decide if I am the right match for you and vice versa. When you are ready, the process is deeply transformative, and although can be challenging, it is gentle and moves at the pace that is right for you. You will aways leave feeling clearer and safe and all sessions are completely confidential. I charge £150/ session which usually lasts 2 hours. I will only take on clients who are ready, committed and following the initial chat,
Make 2023 Your Year
If you have sat with this for long enough now, and want mover one, please contact me rachel@epiphanie.co.uk or call 07780 612625. Alyernatively come to one of my women's groups where I use meditation and 'art' in its most basic form to help women release the old and create new. ** Art is for your eyes only unless you want to share. It's not a painting class 🙂
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