In the aftermath of the recent tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, it’s nearly impossible to know what to do or say. These acts of gun violence bring up all sorts of painful emotions – grief, sadness, anger, and fear. As the daughter of a pastor, I was taught the importance of weeping with those […]
What Happens in the Brain During Trauma? [Infographic]
After trauma, our clients are often left with many painful sensations and emotions . . . . . . including shame and guilt. And that’s especially true if they weren’t able to protect themselves or escape. That’s why it can be so useful to help our clients understand how their brain and body did work […]
How Does Trauma Affect a Person’s Interaction with Their Child?
Trauma can change the brain . . . . . . but the person who experienced the trauma may not be the only one whose brain changes. In the video below, Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD describes what we’re discovering about the connections between a parent’s trauma and their child’s developing brain. Take a look – […]
Polyvagal Theory in Action – How Heart Rate Figures Into Trauma Treatments
How can the body become a resource for a patient who’s experienced trauma?Polyvagal Theory helps us answer this question by explaining how people process their environment and how the body regulates itself in the face of stress and trauma. Watch the video below as Stephen Porges, PhD shares one way to apply Polyvagal Theory when […]
Can Traumatic Experience Strengthen Brain Function?
For years we’ve been able to see differences between a healthy brain and that of a person who’s been diagnosed with PTSD. But can we detect differences within a population, all of whom have experienced traumatic events? And if so, what could that reveal about why some people develop PTSD while others don’t? Dr. Samantha […]