EMBODIED TRAUMA INTEGRATION

For most of us, trauma does not arise from a specific event. Rather, it arises from repeated experiences of emotional overwhelm or a lack of something that would have been important to us. To put it simply: from TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE.

 

Trauma is like a story of broken connections, whose invisible echo hides in our body and casts a veil over our perceptions, our actions and our view of the world. In moments of traumatic experience we dissociate ourselves - from our body, parts of ourselves, others and the world.

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This separation is an intelligent protective mechanism of our nervous system that ensures our survival. 

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How does that show?

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physical level

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On a physical level, unprocessed experiences show themself as bound energy that (at the time of the trauma) could not be discharged and has settled in the body.

 

When we learn to listen to our body's memory and give our nervous system the opportunity to subsequently discharge this energy, traumatic experiences can be integrated and healed from within. 

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Emotional level 

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Unintegrated traumatic experiences color our entire emotional experience because of our previous experiences. This shows up, for example, in our 'triggers', emotional instability, overreactions, feelings of fear, shame, depression or repetitive attachment patterns.

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Inner stability and flexibility can be regained. This is done through self-care, resources and an observational perspective.

 

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At action level

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Trauma colors the glasses through which we see ourselves, each other and the world. It limits us in our ability to perceive and act and shapes our behavioral patterns through mental assumptions based on our experiences. 

In practice, it can be seen, for example, in how we deal with boundaries, in negative thought loops, overwork/stress, dependencies, compulsions or challenging relationship patterns.

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By understanding our own mechanisms more deeply and processing past experiences, we can develop more freedom of choice, which makes us freer and less dependent on external circumstances. 

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Trauma is complex and simple - a paradox. 

 

It is a matter close to my heart to work with this paradox, to accompany people in their uniqueness and to invite new ways for self-determined growth in ourselves and in the world.