WHAT IS TRAUMA?
Psychological trauma is an affliction of the powerless. At the moment of trauma, the victim is rendered helpless by overwhelming force. (Dr. Judith Herman) A trauma is a shock, often having a lasting effect; it is a real or perceived threat of danger or loss that overwhelms a person’s usual coping ability. Traumatic experiences, stored in the part of the brain responsible for unconscious memory, can cause lingering physical, emotional and chemical changes in the body and nervous system. These reactions, in effect, become imprinted in the body and mind and can easily be set into play when new experiences trigger the unresolved or hidden trauma memories. Even though we may not be aware of the details of a buried trauma memory, it still has the power to make us act and feel as though the event were still occurring.
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
51% of the general population have experienced trauma.
98% of people served by behavioral health have experienced trauma.
Approximately 7.7 million American adults age 18 and older have PTSD.
Sensible Spirituality Associates appreciates this high prevalence of traumatic experiences in society and in persons that receive our services. Just as individuals carry the impact of unresolved trauma, organizations and groups also can present trauma reactions, disturbed ways of thinking and behaving. As a result, we work with individuals and organizations to be more integrated, effective, creative and productive. Trauma Informed Care helps individuals and organizations to transform negative issues by utilitzing a client-centered, positive focus on ‘What happened to you?’ rather than, ‘What’s wrong with you?’
Annette Messager
TRAUMATIC INCIDENT REDUCTION (TIR): A Trauma Specific Treatment
Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a safe, simple technique for permanently reducing or eliminating the effects of traumatic events. TIR provides the opportunity to consciously inspect and resolve traumatic material in a structured, safe environment. As a person-centered method, the areas for exploration are chosen by the client, and pursued at a comfortable self-determined pace. A TIR session has no fixed length. Often, trauma symptoms (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) can be cleared in approximately 25 hours (two sessions per week for 5 weeks). Our Associate Dr. Romo specializes in TIR and is available for consultation and trauma work.
