Do I have to talk about trauma?

Trauma has become a hot topic in the past five to ten years. I imagine its because we are finally identifying some excellent experiential and research based tools and practices that support healing from trauma, also known as post traumatic growth. Along with it being a “popular” topic comes overuse; over identification; too much focus on the problem; or avoidance of it all together! In fact, there are some demographic groups in our culture that will not engage with this word at all. No problem.

We can use words like adversity; stress; tension; hardship; maybe even “tough luck” to describe our experience, that may fall into a definition of trauma…or not! 

I identify my work as “trauma informed” which means I understand the prevalence and impact of trauma on people. I can recognize trauma responses in a person (including myself) and have cultivated the skills to support folks moving with or through these responses. I am prepared to respond by integrating appropriate practices into my offerings. I am always conscientious of not re-traumatizing someone (“first do less harm…then do good” ~TIWT) and engage in repair processes when called for.

As a movement specialist, embodiment coach, personal trainer, yoga educator (insert any more titles for the grab bag of practices I offer), ultimately, I’m working at the level of the body primarily. Of course, your mind is part of your body, feelings are experienced in your body, how the world first sees you, yup, your body.

So do we have to talk about trauma? NO!

In fact, I rarely use the word in my sessions with folks. Although you will find it often in my writing because this education has been so important to my understanding and healing and I desire to share that with you.

Trauma informed is more about how I show up and support my clients. Our sessions are designed to be collaborative and consent driven…you are in charge! I consciously choose to show up very curious. I practice to be prepared to handle conflict with active listening, presence, and honoring boundaries. I seek to be transparent in my own humanity and eschew “expert” status for “student” status…I am always learning!

Most recently I’ve been shoring up my awareness around consent and all the unconscious ways I was conditioned to “just do what I was told or taught.”

For example I was trained as both a personal trainer and a yoga teacher that hands on assists and touching clients was just part of the deal; unspoken; unquestioned. This NEVER sat right with me…I do not appreciate being indiscriminately touched myself! So I stopped offering hands on work until I got very clear about my reasons for offering touch and the nuances of consent and it’s practices and complexities.

Am I here for your trauma story? Sure, I’m here for your human experience, whether you identify it as traumatic or not.  

And I am not a therapist. I am not a mental health counselor. It is not in my scope of practice to “work” with your story; unpack it; explore it. For that I’ll refer you to an appropriate practitioner. In our sessions together we’ll work together to find ways to always come back to your body. It might be with breath awareness. It might be picking up or pushing something heavy. It might be moving in a way that helps you feel grounded, settled, and present so your past stops impeding on your present and you can be steady in yourself.

So do you need to talk/think/identify/share/have trauma to work with a trauma informed practitioner? NO! I am here for the whole human experience, seeking to meet your needs and share a process you can trust (or practice trust, like me;)!

Trauma informed is all about how I show up for you. All you have to do is join me!

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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