When someone experiences trauma, its physical and emotional effects can sometimes impact their children – and this can begin in utero.
You see, during times of stress, the body releases cortisol – and as you know, that’s one of the ways our body helps us cope with physically or emotionally difficult situations.
But when trauma elevates cortisol to unhealthy levels, it can have an epigenetic impact – not only on the client, but on their children as well.
So how can this happen?
Well, we created an infographic you can use with clients to help them visualize how trauma can get passed on through caregivers.
Click the image to enlarge
If you’d like to print a copy for yourself, just click here: Color or Print-friendly.
For more strategies you can use to help clients who’ve experienced trauma, be sure to check out the Treating Trauma Master Series.
You’ll get insights from Bessel van der Kolk, MD; Dan Siegel, MD; Pat Ogden, PhD; Stephen Porges, PhD; Peter Levine, PhD; Allan Schore, PhD; and Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD.
It’s free to watch at the time of broadcast – you just have to sign up.
Now we’d like to hear from you. How could this help you in your work? Please leave a comment below.
Good work on the infographic! Bruce Perry, MD has some great research and insights into the developing brain if anyone is interested. Interestingly, the amygdala is formed at the 8th month of gestation and forms implicit emotional memories as well. The brainstem forms a type of implicit associative memory even earlier. And, the brain develops bottom to top, back to front, and right to left. The brainstem forms first, then the diencephalon, followed by the limbic areas, and the cortex. Bruce Perry’s assertion is that interventions need to be sequentially targeting the respective brain region because of the neurosequential flow of sensory information. Interesting stuff. Thanks for your excellent contribution
Alistair Gordon, MA, RCC
Director, Wellspring Counselling Inc.
https://wellspringcounselling.ca
My children are complex trauma survivors of many family members suffering from trauma. What can you suggest. Inter generational trauma
I am not a clinician. I would be a client if I were affluent. My insurance covers $35 of an hour’s time of ONLY a Registered Clinical Psychologist or a Registered Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist whose hourly rates are over $200. The vast majority of trauma, or Complex PTSD, like myself are unable to afford such rates and the counsellors available are not trauma therapists. Considering the cause of C-PTSD the numbers of sufferers are undoubtedly much higher than understood. What are the back stories of the drop outs, addicts, homeless, suicide victims? That is where research, action, new therapies, and a complete revamping of the current ancient misogynistic patriarchal system is needed. Victims must not be revictimized. Abusers must be charged, jailed, and rehabilitated while the victims are protected.
This information has the ability to change the world as we know it…….thank you so much for making it a available to everyone!