In other words, we often unconsciously stop feeling our trauma partway into it, like a movie that is still going after the sound has been turned off. We can only heal when we move fully through that event, including all the feelings of the event. Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathic witness.
Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the "triggering" event itself. They stem from frozen residue of energy that had not been resolved or discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreck havoc on our bodies and spirits. The single most important issue for traumatized people is to find a sense of safety in our own bodies. By enlisting the wisdom of the living, sensing body, and engaging our innate capacity to selfregulate high states of arousal and intense emotions, trauma can be transformed and healed.
Trauma is not only healable, but the healing process can be and often are, a catalyst for profound awakening - a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation. In healing our traumas we will significantly increase our ability to achieve both our individual and collective dreams.
The successful resolution of trauma is experienced in ways such as: finally coming home, having restored an appropriate sense of self, re-claiming aliveness and authentic expression.
"Trauma is hell on earth. Trauma resolved is a gift from the Gods." - Peter A Levine
Why choose a body informed therapist?
As mentioned above, trauma, although having cognitive and mental repercussions, sits primarily in the body. It is in the nervous system. And although it is important to work with cognition, real and permanent healing can not take place unless the trapped energy and emotions from nervous system and body has been released. Body informed practitioners have skilful means of supporting the body's innate capacity to heal itself.
Chronic physical pains and symptoms, psychosomatic and autoimmune diseases as well as many psychological so called disorders may very well have unresolved trauma as base. Somatic Experiencing and NARM offers a profoundly compassionate approach to healing the wounds of trauma. We recognize symptoms as intelligent attempts of maximizing survival and the importance of the empathic relationship in the process of healing.
