One of psychological trauma’s most insidious effects is how radically and completely it can take away someone’s sense of safety. That’s often why job number one for many practitioners is making sure to create a safe space for trauma survivors within the confines of treatment, which is essential . . . . . . but […]
What Does Beethoven Have in Common with Jimi Hendrix?
A while ago, I went to a concert at the University of Connecticut. An orchestra from Germany was playing the music of Beethoven, but I came away with an appreciation of . . . . . . Jimi Hendrix? It might sound rather unlikely, but stay with me here. Because as it turns out, even […]
Neuroplasticity and trauma: Can brain science give us a new perspective on healing?
We owe the brain a lot. The brain is always looking out for us. It’s wired to help us survive – alerting us to threats and ramping up our amygdala to help us take action. But that same survival trigger makes healing from trauma difficult, says Pat Ogden, PhD. In fact, the very systems that […]
Our Hearts Go Out to Sandy Hook Elementary
How can this keep happening? That was my immediate thought upon hearing the tragic news of this latest school shooting that took place yesterday in my home state of Connecticut. The unthinkable has happened again, this time at an elementary school – 26 dead, 18 of them children, at the time of this writing. The […]
Can Spirituality Improve Outcomes for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients?
Spirituality can help people heal in a number of ways. But does it have any effect on traumatic brain injury? A recent study by Brigid Waldron-Perrine, PhD at Wayne State University has found that it just might. More specifically, she found that religion and spirituality may help improve the emotional and physical rehabilitation of patients […]