Trauma Informed Care.

Trauma is something that effects many of us, so what exactly is it? Trauma is generally categorized into PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which is a significant, typically singular event trauma, and CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which tends to be repeated, chronic trauma. Both of these experiences can have a significant impact on our nervous systems and can leave us in a chronic state of overwhelm, hypervigilance,  or disassociation - meaning, we often live our lives in an ongoing state of fight/flight or freeze. Another factor that contributes to the detrimental effects of trauma is that, for many of us, we  experienced something intense and dysregulating, and did so with no support to help us process what happened.

Trauma-informed care is about creating a safe and supportive environment that recognizes the widespread and profound effects of trauma. This environment is co-created by the practitioner and the client to allow for an empathetic and compassionate space to exist that will support the client, and the needs of their nervous system.

In my practice, massage therapy as well as coaching, I take a trauma-informed approach to all as many of us might not be aware of how trauma has shaped our personalities and behaviour. Both massage therapy and coaching can be helpful in the processing of trauma. Massage therapy has a profound impact on the nervous system, and can support the movement out of a fight/flight state back into one of more relaxation by coming more fully back into our bodies. Coaching is about having someone be a supportive presence that allows us to be validated and feel seen and safe, which can also be supportive of nervous system regulation. Getting support, especially when we might not have had in the past, can allow for a corrective experience to occur.

If you would like to know more about my approach, don’t hesitate to ask!