"Trauma may begin as acute stress from a perceived life-threat or as the end product of cumulative stress"..."Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the triggering event itself. They stem from the frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged in the nervous system"-- Peter Levine / Somatic Experiencing®
Whatever happens in our lives impacts our mind either consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes events such as the car accidents, physical violence, an unexpected death of a loved one, illness, near-death experiences can result in traumas. Psychological trauma causes damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event.
Somatic Trauma Therapy (somatic is derived from the Greek word “soma” which means living body) is one of the best modalities used in a multi-modal approach to treating psychological trauma, particularly PTSD and PTS.
Recovering a sense of physical boundaries and felt-sense of self again through body-mind processes is an important part of re-establishing trust in a traumatized person. Blending somatic and cognitive awareness helps the person reach a fully integrated awareness of the experience(s), thus changing their association to the trauma. This does not mean they completely change how they feel about the trauma. As the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) stabilizes, and the person has done cognitive reframing on the event(s), a sense of the trauma being over, being in the past and no longer gripping them is the beautiful outcome of somatic processing.
In some cases past traumas may manifest physical symptoms like pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, memory issues, sexual dysfunction, immune system dysfunction, medical issues, depression, anxiety, compulsions and addiction.
Recent studies show that traumatic stress disorders can be inherited genetically. Often the trauma will live in the body for a while until it eventually becomes triggered and elicits a response. (field of Epigenetics explains this see resource page)
Somatic Experiencing therapy offers a variety of benefits. It reframes and transforms current or past negative experiences, establishes a greater sense of self, confidence, resiliency and hope. It reduces discomfort, strain and stress while developing a heightened ability to concentrate.
In recent years neuroscience has emerged with evidence that supports somatic psychology, showing how the mind influences the body and how the body influences the mind.
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside us in the absence of an empathic witness.”
Gabor Mate, MD
TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR TRAUMA:
This work does not require the client to re-live or re-experience the trauma it allows you to release the rage, grief, hopelessness etc... and engage in a greater sense of peace and safety.
- First it is important you truly recognize, and gain a felt-sense of yourself, that you survived and are here NOW! We create this experience through somatic (body) awareness exercises and mindfully tuning in.
- Secondly, together we develop positive and safe resources internally for you. Such as a Circle of Safety or Safe Place, build in positive images and beliefs and update your mind to the present. This alone calms down your over-aroused nervous system.
- Third we establish a deeper Felt Sense of one's body through somatic and mindful exercises. In trauma disassociation happens and people shut off from their body. You have to be in your body to really own all of your power and to maintain good positive health.
Once you are resourced and in your body we can then move into more advanced processing helping you go back and forth between the calming effect of resources and the high activation of traumatic material in a manageable balanced way. Trauma processing is slow processing. The reptilian brain responsible for the 'freeze' & disassociation is the slowest part of the brain to process so trauma pieces are broken down into small parts for you to discharge from your body.
I often combine other modalities as part of somatic trauma treatment such as Brainspotting or Eye work, Clinical Hypnosis, Constellation Therapy, Bi-Lateral Tapping, and/or Mindfulness to help with trauma symptoms of insomnia, nightmares, and to help establish parts integration of fragmented ego parts that were traumatized in the past.
Whatever happens in our lives impacts our mind either consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes events such as the car accidents, physical violence, an unexpected death of a loved one, illness, near-death experiences can result in traumas. Psychological trauma causes damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event.
Somatic Trauma Therapy (somatic is derived from the Greek word “soma” which means living body) is one of the best modalities used in a multi-modal approach to treating psychological trauma, particularly PTSD and PTS.
Recovering a sense of physical boundaries and felt-sense of self again through body-mind processes is an important part of re-establishing trust in a traumatized person. Blending somatic and cognitive awareness helps the person reach a fully integrated awareness of the experience(s), thus changing their association to the trauma. This does not mean they completely change how they feel about the trauma. As the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) stabilizes, and the person has done cognitive reframing on the event(s), a sense of the trauma being over, being in the past and no longer gripping them is the beautiful outcome of somatic processing.
In some cases past traumas may manifest physical symptoms like pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, memory issues, sexual dysfunction, immune system dysfunction, medical issues, depression, anxiety, compulsions and addiction.
Recent studies show that traumatic stress disorders can be inherited genetically. Often the trauma will live in the body for a while until it eventually becomes triggered and elicits a response. (field of Epigenetics explains this see resource page)
Somatic Experiencing therapy offers a variety of benefits. It reframes and transforms current or past negative experiences, establishes a greater sense of self, confidence, resiliency and hope. It reduces discomfort, strain and stress while developing a heightened ability to concentrate.
In recent years neuroscience has emerged with evidence that supports somatic psychology, showing how the mind influences the body and how the body influences the mind.
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside us in the absence of an empathic witness.”
Gabor Mate, MD
TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR TRAUMA:
This work does not require the client to re-live or re-experience the trauma it allows you to release the rage, grief, hopelessness etc... and engage in a greater sense of peace and safety.
- First it is important you truly recognize, and gain a felt-sense of yourself, that you survived and are here NOW! We create this experience through somatic (body) awareness exercises and mindfully tuning in.
- Secondly, together we develop positive and safe resources internally for you. Such as a Circle of Safety or Safe Place, build in positive images and beliefs and update your mind to the present. This alone calms down your over-aroused nervous system.
- Third we establish a deeper Felt Sense of one's body through somatic and mindful exercises. In trauma disassociation happens and people shut off from their body. You have to be in your body to really own all of your power and to maintain good positive health.
Once you are resourced and in your body we can then move into more advanced processing helping you go back and forth between the calming effect of resources and the high activation of traumatic material in a manageable balanced way. Trauma processing is slow processing. The reptilian brain responsible for the 'freeze' & disassociation is the slowest part of the brain to process so trauma pieces are broken down into small parts for you to discharge from your body.
I often combine other modalities as part of somatic trauma treatment such as Brainspotting or Eye work, Clinical Hypnosis, Constellation Therapy, Bi-Lateral Tapping, and/or Mindfulness to help with trauma symptoms of insomnia, nightmares, and to help establish parts integration of fragmented ego parts that were traumatized in the past.
Empowering You To Heal With Trauma Informed Therapy
12304 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 208-A, Santa Monica 90025
Conveniently located in upper Santa Monica with easy access to the 405 and 10 Freeways.
Street and Garage Parking Available
Telehealth sessions also available
818-219-6642 phone calls only
email is best: Lisacefalu1@att.net
Please Allow 48hrs for a Response.
12304 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 208-A, Santa Monica 90025
Conveniently located in upper Santa Monica with easy access to the 405 and 10 Freeways.
Street and Garage Parking Available
Telehealth sessions also available
818-219-6642 phone calls only
email is best: Lisacefalu1@att.net
Please Allow 48hrs for a Response.