A Sacred Pilgrimage Healing from trauma invites you to befriend your body; and this needs to occur at a pace that honors your unique needs. Initially, this involves developing the resources to handle challenging emotions, disturbing symptoms, and distressing memories. … Continue reading
Polyvagal Theory in Psychotherapy Polyvagal theory in psychotherapy offers co-regulation as an interactive process that engages the social nervous systems of both therapist and client. Social engagement provides experiences of mutuality and reciprocity in which we are open to receiving another … Continue reading
Many distressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress are felt in the body—a tightness in the chest, a sinking feeling in the stomach, a familiar knot in the throat, or as a chronic feeling of exhaustion. We now recognize that we must … Continue reading
Illuminate a Path to Freedom If you have grown up with long-term, chronic trauma exposure you might find it difficult to accurately perceive whether people or places are safe or trustworthy. Sometimes, it can become difficult to tell differentiate between … Continue reading
A Mind-Body Approach to Wellness The vagus nerve plays a central role in your emotional and physical health. The vagus nerve extends from the brainstem down into your stomach and intestines, enervating your heart and lungs, and connecting your throat … Continue reading
Knowledge is Power Irregularities in the vagus nerve can cause tremendous distress in physical and emotional health. Physical consequences can include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart burn or GERD, nausea or vomiting, fainting, tinnitus, tachycardia, auto-immune disorders, seizures, and migraines. … Continue reading
Supporting children’s emotions As parents, our responsibility is to help children process through their experiences. This is not an easy task. It is easy to feel triggered by children’s big emotions, whether it be fear, anger, or sadness; especially when … Continue reading
The Trauma Legacy I was once asked to describe the genetic component of transgenerational trauma. The question posed was: If my parents had PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) does this increase my likelihood of having it too? This question stopped … Continue reading
Getting Unstuck from PTSD One of the painful repercussions of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the experience of a lack of control that can occur when you feel trapped by feelings of anxiety, panic, overwhelm, or despair. Polyvagal theory, the work … Continue reading