Neuroscience and Holistic Mind Body Practices
Denisa's approach is deeply embedded in the integration of an evidence-based neuroscientific approach with healing mind-body practices and years of clinical experience working directly with clients of all ages.
HEALING THROUGH BODY AWARENESS
Trauma experience is often deeply embedded in the body, so healing and recovery must be addressed through body awareness, including the central nervous system which connects the body to the mind via thoughts, emotions, perceptions, memories, imagination, and decision making (Yau, 2019).
Unresolved traumatic experiences are often trapped in the body which may continue to react to them even though they may be long past. A trauma survivor may be perpetually on a high alert and overly vigilant, or shut down and disconnected from self, others, and the world.
The mind-body practices allow the clients to experience a sense of integrity, intimacy and connection with their bodies and ultimately become balanced and grounded, restoring harmony and coherence of the body and the mind.
These practices are used to build the foundation of safety, to learn how to calm and ground oneself, as well as to foster and cultivate self-compassion and an increased sense of aliveness, joy, and presence. Growing somatic awareness will gradually enhance the capacity for self-regulation and emotion regulation (Yau, 2019).
Mind-body treatments usually include intervention strategies that are thought to promote health, such as relaxation, visual imagery, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapies, and group support. Somatic awareness and mindfulness are key components of mind-body interactions. Somatic awareness is defined as the ability to perceive, interpret, and act on the basis of one's own internal bodily sensations that can be a powerful tool in regulating emotion, maintaining health and facilitating recovery from illness and dysfunction (Bakal 1999).
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF TRAUMA
The neuroscience of trauma clearly shows that implicit, sensory (body-oriented) activities are as critical to recovery as cognitive behavioral interventions.
Activities, such as yoga, qi-gong, and art therapies help to promote the integration of psychology and biology to reconnect minds and bodies affected by trauma and other clinical syndromes.
Body awareness and emotional awareness are necessary to decision making (engaging safe, self-regulatory activities when needed) (Rothschild, 2009).
With the help of an inevitable neuroplasticity of the brain, the overall purpose of this approach is to help my clients intentionally change the wiring of their brain structures to break down the barriers to a healthier and happier life.