This term has gained widespread usage in modern language. Here are 2 ways to define trauma:
Trauma can be Identified as an event, set of events, memory, or set of memories, idea, set of ideas, or context that brings pain to think about. Healing a trauma can relieve this pain and unveil a world of new possibilities.
Here at Mindlight Institute we believe that once a trauma has been healed or integrated, you can have a richer perspective and more confident human experience. This is why we also refer to trauma healing as “treasure hunting”. From this perspective, trauma can be seen as an opportunity for growth and finding “gold” rather than a painful experience to avoid or feel stuck with. This idea is mirrored in the newly popularized concept of Post Traumatic Growth.
A trauma occurs when there is an overwhelming stress response in the body that does not regulate back to equilibrium. This overwhelm continues in the body until it gets suppressed enough to continue with habitual tasks such as going to work/school, taking care of a family, and socializing. This process can occur at any age. Once the overwhelm has been suppressed, it remains in the body until the trauma resurfaces and is healed. The example below demonstrates how trauma can be resolved.
Picture two children…
Child 1: A young child is playing in their backyard and gets stung by a bee. The child shows the sting to their mother, she abruptly responds “Oh no!”, and nervously rushes them to the hospital where they are thoroughly examined by doctors. Once everything is fine, Child 1 and their mother return home.
Child 2: In the house next door. Child 2 is similarly playing in the backyard and also gets stung by a bee! The child’s mother scoops them up in her arms, caresses them, and lovingly says “I bet that really hurt.” While calming the child, the mother explains that the bee was just protecting itself and that bees help grow fruits and vegetables and flowers so that the world can keep going. She states, “How great that the bee protected itself because we wouldn’t be here without them!”
The difference between the two children is that Child 1 remained in a heightened state of stress for an extended duration while Child 2 was able to regulate the stress inducing event and returned to a state of equilibrium shortly after. Child 2 emerges with a richer perspective of the world, resulting in higher confidence. As an adult, everytime they encounter a bee they feel a sense of appreciation and handle it with a level head.
In contrast, Child 1, now an adult, finds themselves at an outdoor work conference where a bee begins to buzz around. What can be anticipated from their response? As a consequence of the unresolved stress they experienced as a child, they feel highly stressed and immediately work to distance themself from the bee.
This is an example of how trauma can occur and how trauma can be resolved naturally. When a trauma doesn’t get resolved naturally, it can still be healed. At Mindlight we believe everything is healable. Trauma can be resolved years after the event has occurred. Resolving trauma for adults is one of our areas of expertise at Mindlight.
In order to heal, the wound must be addressed. Just like a physical wound, emotional and psychological wounds need to be tended to, touched on, gently opened up. This is done by bringing the trauma to the surface in very small doses so that you are never overwhelmed.
At the same time as we open up the wound, we greet it with kindness. Pushing it away might be our instinct, but when we allow it to be there and allow ourselves to feel whole at the same time, the wound heals. When you can feel wellbeing and the wound you are healing.
The body is where emotional information is stored. Effective psychological processes can be permanent if they are communicated to the body. This can be done through breath work, movement, touch or acupressure points.
In Mindlight’s practices, we address all 3 components so that we deliver outcome-based healing. We value results and seeing you thrive by applying these gentle and effective techniques.
Interested in learning more about how to integrate and resolve trauma?
For practitioners: We invite you to join our trauma training program “Trauma Integration” at The Mindlight Institute. Click here to learn more.
For you: We invite you to book a private session with one of our practitioners. Click here to learn more.