Trauma-Informed Approach
At Resting Tree, we understand that the physical, social and emotional impact of trauma can influence everyday lives in different ways. Hence, we are committed to providing our clients with a culture of safety, empowerment and healing.
The three principles of trauma-informed approach are :
Being aware of the prevalence of trauma, how it is common for many of us, and how there are potential paths for recovery
Recognising the symptoms and signs of trauma and how stress responses such as fight, flight, freeze or fawn may occur in day-to-day life
Taking active steps to avoid re-traumatisation while supporting a client’s healing from past trauma
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness."
— Peter A. Levine
Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System in Trauma-Informed Approach
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the automatic control of our body functions. It is important to survival and can help us determine how we can respond and recover from traumatic or stressful events. It is divided into three parts: Dorsal Vagal (freeze), Sympathetic (fight/flight) and Ventral Vagal (safety and connection).
The autonomic nervous system responds moment-by-moment to what are often competing survival and social needs. If the system is always in a state of protection, survival is the only goal and it is closed to connection and change. In a state of connection, healthy growth and restoration are possible.
How It Works
Exercises that teach us to notice how these parts of our system are activated and learn how to move from one state to another can help us heal from trauma. These exercises include: breathwork, engaging the senses, body movement, reflection, and journaling. Specific instructions are given to clients to direct them on how to use these exercises to improve their awareness and response to the different parts of their autonomic nervous system when it gets activated.
Trauma-Informed Interventions
Internal Family Systems
Each person’s mental state consists of multiple parts, otherwise known as sub-personalities. These sub-personalities or parts consist of emotions such as shame, grief and anger. To protect ourselves from these deeply wounded parts, we may have developed other parts that may be in conflict with our true Self. In this approach, we learn how to heal and harmonise these parts by restoring its relationship with the Self, that is confident and compassionate
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing
Beliefs from trauma can be resistant to change because of how traumatic memories can remain unprocessed or blocked in the neural networks in our brain. In this approach, we work with our bodies to desensitise ourselves to these traumatic memories, eventually changing our negative beliefs about them and ourselves
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This short-term, structured talk therapy intervention uses cognitive-behavioural techniques to help relieve symptoms by modifying distorted or unhelpful thinking and behaviours related to the traumatic event. Constructive ways of dealing with difficult emotions are also taught
Curious to find out more about therapy and how it may be able to help you?
Find out more by contacting us at info@restingtree.ca or book your free consultation today