Individual and Collective Trauma

Trauma is something we are all affected by. A one time shock incident or exposure to repetitive stress such as abuse or living in an unsafe environment can limit our perception and judgement of a situation, often causing us to react rather than respond. Trauma effects the brain and how we perceive certain situations. In childhood trauma, the healthy development of neural pathways may be interrupted. In cases of emotional trauma and PTSD certain areas of the brain (amygdala, hippocampus & prefrontal cortex) can be affected, changing how we regulate our emotions or respond to certain situations.

Trauma can be generational, passed from generation to generation. It can be vicarious, that is, something which is a result of countertransference via the people we spend significant amounts of time with. Trauma can be debilitating, causing illness and physical discomfort not to mention a repetitive thinking loop. It can cause certain limiting behavioural and thought patterns to occur which can ultimately restrict our ability to feel, connect, and to live from an open heart and creative place. Trauma can often cause a fragmentation of Self, meaning that there are parts of ourselves which we are not able to connect with. Perhaps even parts of Self which have not yet been discovered. It can compromise our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection, with patterns of protection.

Trauma Growth
It is important to note that these patterns and defense mechanisms were implemented as a necessary survival tool. They were applied through the intelligence of the body to keep us safe and protected in a world which has been perceived as dangerous. However, when we have lived for a long time with such mechanisms and strategies, we may start to notice that they restrict our movement and autonomy, our ability to connect and thrive. We may notice that these mechanisms and strategies are no longer needed or are causing harm to our bodies. This is the time to lovingly meet and integrate those parts of us and organically evolve into new ways of being. The process of trauma growth is alchemising pain into possibility and expansion.

Healing Trauma as a Collective
As well as individual trauma healing, which is very necessary, we can also look at trauma healing in the sense of collective healing. There is something incredibly beautiful and resourcing about coming together in groups to hold space for each other, witnessing the release & healing the person next to you.
For many, there is immense healing and transformation which occurs in holding space for others. A depth of understanding and compassion arises on a physical level, experiencing first hand how one nervous system affects another humans nervous system. We start to realising how interconnected we all are, something we have long been distracted and isolating from. We begin to notice that we are not all that different. And most importantly, we are not alone.

Trauma Can Be Healed
With more and more awareness of trauma and how it affects individuals and society as a whole, there is a rise in highly effective modalities dedicated to the integration of trauma. It is becoming increasingly obvious that the effects of trauma can be minimised and often fully integrated through safe and simple practices, gaining more awareness about ourselves and our trauma responses. We can learn tools for self regulation and learn ways to bring a deeper sense of safety into our lives. 

At Playground of the mind we use breathing techniques alongside embodiment practices & hyponotherapy to meet the areas where emotions have become stock in the body. In 1:1 and group sessions we emphasise the use of presence, compassionate inquiry through movement and sound. Giving an opportunity for the voice of your body, mind and emotions to be heard and held, creating space for individuals and groups to experience their own ability to heal and feel safe within the container of their own body.