Somatic Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Developmental Trauma
Traumatic events are a common aspect of life. When confronted with overwhelming situations and lacking support to express ourselves, the survival energy from these experiences may persist for years. Over time, the nervous system may struggle to maintain balance in the body.
Developmental Trauma
Research shows that early trauma has significant effects on physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Individuals who have experienced developmental trauma often face challenges in finding suitable treatment that addresses their complex symptoms, which may require both medical and psychological attention. Developmental trauma frequently is identified in the mental health field as stemming from prolonged mistreatment by a caregiver, but this explanation is overly simplistic. The intricate impact of trauma on development can be linked to inadequate parenting, yet it can also be triggered by medical interventions, challenging childbirth experiences, distressing situations, and caregiving shortcomings unrelated to mistreatment.
Some experiences that can worsen underlying Developmental Trauma include:
- Surgical and dental procedures
- Confining situations (e.g., airplane travel, medical tests)
- Falls and physical injuries
- Concussions
- Various forms of abuse
- Birth complications
- Exposure to natural disasters
- Witnessing violence
- Receiving distressing news
- Motor vehicle accidents
These life events can exacerbate underlying developmental trauma, affecting mental and physical health in various ways.
Depressive Symptoms
Including a loss of sense of self, emptiness, lack of motivation, lack of energy, and confidence, may lead to:
- Manifestations of feelings of overwhelm, collapse, or freeze
- Digestive issues such as IBS, SIBO, constipation, and food sensitivities
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain
Anxiety Symptoms
Including chronic worry, panic, and fear, may lead to:
- Social anxieties and hypervigilance
- Obsessions and rituals
- Persistent panic and feelings of insecurity
- Digestive issues like IBS, SIBO, diarrhea, and food sensitivities
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain
Complex Trauma
Can also be associated with conditions like autoimmune difficulties, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.
If you are dealing with anxiety, prolonged depression, lack of energy or motivation, physical pain, or substance dependency, there is hope. You are not alone. The body has the natural ability to heal and flourish through self-regulation. Working with me can provide benefits such as increased stress tolerance, reduced social anxiety, improved self-esteem, enhanced self-regulation, heightened presence, self-connection, boundary setting, healthy decision-making, inner resource awareness, increased sense of safety, and more.
Expansion and contraction are part of the body and life. Collaborating with me can help you connect with your whole self, raise awareness, address barriers, release emotions, and find peace, clarity, and balance. At your core, you are not defined by your trauma; you are much more than your past experiences.
