Trauma
Trauma recovery is a journey back to safety, stability and resilience
Body-based trauma support for nervous system healing
Contrary to what many people believe, trauma and chronic stress does not just affect a person’s thoughts or emotions. A person who experiences a traumatic event, a series of traumatic events or a sustained period of chronic stress which they feel they cannot do anything about or escape from: affects their nervous system, their body (and consequentially, their health) as well as the person’s sense of safety as well as, at times, sense of self in the world. Recovery and the potential for post-traumatic growth depends on the kind of trauma and the extent of the trauma the person has suffered. Only after a client comes in for assessment can a path forward be determined.
The support I offer in this journey is body-based trauma support using TRE® and Somatic Experiencing® principles to build capacity and work towards regulation, integration and increased resilience.
My work recognises that trauma is not only about what happened, but about how the nervous system was impacted and what is needed to complete the trauma response and come back to a sense of stability and safety.
“Healing from trauma is a journey of many hills, some with steeper inclines, at times there is rain on the way and often there are beautiful discoveries along the way..”
Body-Based Trauma Support
Using Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (TRE®) and Somatic Experiencing® (SE) principles as well as psych-education and other supportive modalities, I support clients to:
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Gently restore regulation and stability
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Prioritise nervous system regulation before engaging in deeper processing
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Building internal safety and increased capacity to be present
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Completing stress responses that were interrupted by trauma
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Reduce symptoms such as hypervigilance, shutdown, chronic stress, or emotional overwhelm
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Supporting integration rather than re-experiencing
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Understand how trauma affects the body and behaviour
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Develop a greater sense of agency and embodied safety
Post-Traumatic Growth
Trauma can be deeply painful.
Healing from trauma is often a multi-faceted solution of both what happens inside the recovering person: building internal regulation, ability to be present and find internal safety along with building a more sustainable, supportive way of life which could include expanding how to take care of yourself or starting to build and maintain a small but meaningful support network. Recovery at times in the journey, also requires the knowledge and guidance of skilled persons (sometimes a body practitioner, a psychologist, a GP or psychiatrist, a physio etc). The journey over time can open the door to:
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Increased self-understanding
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Greater resilience
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Deeper connection with self and others
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A renewed sense of meaning
Post-traumatic growth is not forced or rushed — it emerges naturally when safety and capacity are restored.
Begin with a gentle conversation
If you feel ready to explore body-based trauma support, you are welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial assessment. This first step is simply an opportunity to understand where you are, what support may be appropriate, and whether this approach feels right for you.