Your Autonomic Nervous System apprenticeship starts here. Veterans, children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and others who have suffered single event trauma are often left with emotional and psychological scars. Despite decades of effort, there are no clear-cut answers about how to heal them.Pills, talk therapy, and support groups help some people but not … Continue reading How to bring safety to the body after trauma
Fragmentation: A pantomime of parts
Do you ever feel that life with your adopted or foster child feels like a pantomime where you never know who is going to turn up on stage next? Your child may be playing contentedly and a moment later, he is a raging Hulk, or a spacey otherworldly creature, or a collapsed vagrant who "deserves" … Continue reading Fragmentation: A pantomime of parts
Safety: The antidote to “bad” behaviour
Many adoptive and foster caregivers find themselves confronted with behaviours that impact daily life—not being able to get out of bed in the morning, throwing things, hoarding food, violence and abuse, sexually acting out, emotionally short-fused, or flat-lined. It is no surprise caregivers seek out mental health professionals to "fix" the behaviours. Psychotherapist and co-author … Continue reading Safety: The antidote to “bad” behaviour
Marisa Peer: How to effectively use language to help our children (and ourselves) thrive!
If you have adopted or are fostering a child with attachment wounds as a result of early trauma, daily life offers many challenges, detours, and seeming dead ends. These can stop you in your tracks, causing you to get stuck in the morass of feeling overwhelmed, or they can act as the impetus to a … Continue reading Marisa Peer: How to effectively use language to help our children (and ourselves) thrive!
Iain McGilchrist: Language and the “divided brain”
© ted.com There has been a lot written about the effects that prolonged exposure to traumatic events–particularly in the early years–is thought to have on brain development. On the whole science tells us, children exposed to neglect may be more vulnerable to general delays in cognitive and language development. However there has been very little … Continue reading Iain McGilchrist: Language and the “divided brain”
Overcoming the codependency / narcissism dynamic
Have you ever had a child who made a mess and, when challenged, denies it—even if the evidence lies on his face or hands? He tells the obvious lie because he is unsure what the outcome will be. The false story is borne out of feelings of vulnerability (primarily, emotions of fear and/or shame). Codependency … Continue reading Overcoming the codependency / narcissism dynamic
Caretaking vs. Caregiving: Going beyond semantics
© The Trauma Initiative Growing up an introvert and a twin, one other close friend was all I could handle at a given time. But, more than often, I would discover that my chosen friend had another chum and that this relationship was hugely volatile. It came down to me to be the “steady ship” … Continue reading Caretaking vs. Caregiving: Going beyond semantics
Robin Sharma: The importance of inner time
© The Trauma Initiative The term "self-care" has been thrown around a lot lately since it's become en vogue to discuss the pleasant things you do for yourself in the name of being your own best nurturer. Self-care often includes: Engaging in retail therapy.Taking a luxury holiday.Visiting a day spa.Having coffee or lunch with … Continue reading Robin Sharma: The importance of inner time
Trauma vs. Trust: Who dares win?
Trust. It’s a simple five letter word. It’s meaning is clear and employed the world over. There is no grey when it comes to trust. It’s as black and white as words come. Then why is it such a tough word for children impacted by developmental trauma to comprehend? All relationships begin with trust. … Continue reading Trauma vs. Trust: Who dares win?
Kensho vs. Satori
No, these are not Samurai warriors. But there is real strength to be found in understanding these Japanese concepts originating from the Zen tradition. What exactly then is Kensho and Satori? Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Centre in Los Angeles, talks about two different paths to life growth. Kensho … Continue reading Kensho vs. Satori
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