Healing From Trauma

Before we begin any trauma processing, it is important to create an internal space of stabilization. On day 1 of this course, you will be guided in a meditation practice for creating your internal calm place as well as some journaling for reflection. Reflective journal prompts: - What is represented here in this calm place? - And how does it make me feel once I have gone there?

Now that we have created a space of regulation and stabilization, it is time to start looking at what triggers you. For this exercise, you will need a piece of paper and something to write with, as you will be guided to make a list of your triggers, validating them by writing them down.

In today’s lesson, we will explore a variety of breath practices known to reduce adrenaline responses and bring you into a state of calm. We will merge these breathwork practices with the Calm Place stabilization practice and discuss when to use these for de-escalation.

Whether you have experienced physical or emotional trauma, our bodies store these experiences in our muscle memory. In this lesson, we will look at the various visceral reactions that we have when triggered by our experiences with trauma, and learn how acknowledging them can be the first step in releasing them.

An incredibly effective way in making sense of trauma is by using techniques found in the elements and principles of art; namely, color! In this lesson, we will discuss the importance of color imagery and association within our memory recall, and use art therapy techniques to aid in processing trauma.

On Day 6, we will discuss dissociation - a common symptom for those who carry a story of trauma. We will learn what dissociation looks like and can feel like in the body, how to recognize when we are dissociating and how to create anchors to the present moment so as to stay grounded and safe.

Have you ever experienced a panic or anxiety attack when facing an emotional trigger within the realm of trauma? This lesson teaches you how to use journaling as a tool for easing emotional responses. You will be guided in reflective writing practices that allow you an opportunity to remove emotional attachment and shift your perspective about your trauma.

Sometimes, we don’t always understand why we are feeling the way we are and this is especially true for people who have experienced trauma. You will need a piece of paper and something to write with for this session, as you will be guided in a brainstorming activity that I call Emotional Mapping. We will write down attachments to emotion and trauma, look for connections between traumas and uncover what beliefs, emotions, and values are underlying it all.

As you’ve been uncovering the roots of trauma and building tools to help you navigate responses and process memories, there likely is a fragile, younger version of yourself inside that could use some nurturing. In this exercise, we will travel back to the Calm Place, find this younger version of you, offer some nurturing and compassion, and then return to the present moment for some reflective writing.

You have been open and vulnerable for the past 10 days and now we have an opportunity to pull it all together and create the ultimate tool kit for the emotional processing of trauma. We will reflect on what we’ve learned through this course, what has been the most impactful, and how we can continue working together through mentorship as a final piece for your healing.