Trauma

Welcome to the September issue of my Newsletter:

This month, I want to discuss a topic that has become increasingly prevalent in our modernb society: trauma. Recently, I completed a trauma informed course for coaches and therapists through the HeartMath Institute, and I’d like to share some insights from that experience. My
goal is to provide you with some simple coping techniques that can be used when you find yourself in a dysregulated state.

Understanding Trauma:

The HeartMath Institute defines trauma as a subjective experience of an event, or series of events that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope. Dr. Gabor Maté in his documentary, “The Wisdom of Trauma” emphasizes that trauma is not the event itself, but rather our response to it. This response is felt deeply in our nervous system.

Trauma as an imprint on our Nervous System:

It is not defined by what happened to us, but by what happens in us in response to those events. Trauma leaves a mark not on the external circumstances, but in our internal systems-especially the nervous system. Our response to trauma varies based on several factors, including age and developmental stage, the nature of the event and our history with trauma, both personal and familial.

The Nervous System and Trauma:

From as early as 21 days, the fetus can hear its mother’s voice and respond to her nervous system. Studies have shown that stress during pregnancy is absorbed by the baby, often resulting in elevated cortisol levels at birth. The nervous system itself is divided into two main branches, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.