Loss & Trauma
It take a village to raise a child, to thrive as an adult.
But what happens when someone in the village is no longer there? Or you're in a new village? Or the village you've always known isn't the same? Loss is a part of every person's life.
Some losses affect us more than others. Some are harder to accept and make sense of. They can leave us in a kind of limbo. Beyond the sadness, there's waiting, unrest, guilt, anger and anxiety about what has happened and what might happen next.
Scary experiences are a part of everyone's lives too, but some stick with us differently than others. They change the way we think, the way we act, and even the way we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Feeling stuck and hopeless, guilty or ashamed about the past, and terrified of the future can make it hard to get through the day and even sleep at night, especially when if feels like you can't control it and others just don't understand.
People of all ages can experience trauma reactions after exposure to many different types of situation and interactions. Accidents, tragedies, illness, neglect, physical and sexual assault, loss of family, friends, homes and jobs, abrupt moves/changes, abusive relationships, adverse childhood experiences, and even witnessing or hearing about harm to others can lead to neurobiological changes that affect both children and adult's behavior, feelings, and thoughts long term.
But what happens when someone in the village is no longer there? Or you're in a new village? Or the village you've always known isn't the same? Loss is a part of every person's life.
Some losses affect us more than others. Some are harder to accept and make sense of. They can leave us in a kind of limbo. Beyond the sadness, there's waiting, unrest, guilt, anger and anxiety about what has happened and what might happen next.
Scary experiences are a part of everyone's lives too, but some stick with us differently than others. They change the way we think, the way we act, and even the way we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Feeling stuck and hopeless, guilty or ashamed about the past, and terrified of the future can make it hard to get through the day and even sleep at night, especially when if feels like you can't control it and others just don't understand.
People of all ages can experience trauma reactions after exposure to many different types of situation and interactions. Accidents, tragedies, illness, neglect, physical and sexual assault, loss of family, friends, homes and jobs, abrupt moves/changes, abusive relationships, adverse childhood experiences, and even witnessing or hearing about harm to others can lead to neurobiological changes that affect both children and adult's behavior, feelings, and thoughts long term.
People can begin to show trauma responses as surviving victims, witnesses, or even as loved ones of a victim. There may have been just one incident that changed you, or there may have been years of built up pain and fear. Whichever the case, we notice that something has changed. Maybe more scared or jumpy. Perhaps there's nightmares or flashbacks. Concentrating, relaxing, and just enjoying oneself may become harder and harder to do. Just like there can be physical injuries after a medical emergency or illness, there can also be psychological injuries and effects on our nervous systems after a traumatic exposure at any age, being in damaging relationships, and/or systemic oppression. There are many different ways our bodies and brains react to trauma exposures and not everyone will react the same way to the same situation.
Working with a therapist who understands how grief and trauma work will make a profound difference for kids and adults alike. As an Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner, I can evaluate you or your child to determine if the changes you are noticing are due to trauma or grief and can effectively treat those concerns in order to help you or your child grown and thrive!
Working with a therapist who understands how grief and trauma work will make a profound difference for kids and adults alike. As an Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner, I can evaluate you or your child to determine if the changes you are noticing are due to trauma or grief and can effectively treat those concerns in order to help you or your child grown and thrive!
