Embracing Holistic Healing and Exploring Trauma Recovery Beyond Talk Therapy
Guest Blog Post by Amanda Kimbrell, Trauma Therapist and Certified EMDR Practitioner
In the journey of healing from trauma, traditional talk therapy is often just the beginning. While verbal processing and psychotherapy techniques are crucial, trauma recovery is a complex and multi-faceted process that benefits greatly from a holistic approach. The benefit of a holistic approach is that it recognizes that trauma affects the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Using a whole person approach helps to address these interconnected aspects of healing trauma in a comprehensive way.
Understanding Trauma
Emotional trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, from childhood abuse and neglect to accidents, natural disasters, or combat exposure. Its impact can manifest in a myriad of ways, including anxiety, depression, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), feeling disconnected from the present moment, chronic stress, difficulties in relationships, and emotional dysregulation. Emotional trauma not only affects our mental and emotional well-being but also leaves imprints on our physical bodies, often leading to chronic pain, tension, and other physical symptoms.
Beyond Talk Therapy into Trauma Therapy
While traditional talk therapy provides a safe space for processing emotions and thoughts, it may not always be sufficient to address the full spectrum of trauma-related symptoms. Most trauma therapy incorporates some aspect of somatic work. A more holistic approach to trauma therapy recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body and incorporates a range of complementary methods to support overall healing. When I work with clients with complex trauma, I encourage them to try as many of these approaches as they can, to learn what their body and being needs for recovery and to discover what feels most helpful for healing trauma. Many people don’t know what they need to help themselves recover until they experience it. Once experienced, it allows the person to say “Yes, more of this!”
Here are some key approaches often integrated into holistic trauma recovery:
1. Yoga and Mindfulness Practices
Yoga, dance, meditation, and mindfulness practices are powerful tools for trauma recovery. They help cultivate present-moment awareness, regulate emotions, notice bodily tension, reduce stress, and reconnect with the body. Yoga emphasizes breath awareness and gentle movement, which can be especially beneficial for releasing stored tension and trauma from the body. The result is often a release of trauma-based tension that has to happen for complete healing from trauma.
2. Art and Expressive Therapies
Art therapy, music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and other expressive modalities offer non-verbal avenues for exploring and expressing feelings and experiences. Creating art or engaging in creative activities can bypass the cognitive defenses often present in talk therapy, allowing deeper access to subconscious material and promoting integration and healing from trauma.
Emotional trauma can often leave us at a loss for words. The experiences we've been through may be too overwhelming or painful to articulate verbally. Art provides a non-verbal medium through which individuals can express their thoughts, feelings, and memories. Whether through drawing, painting, sculpting, or collage, art allows for a safe and creative outlet to explore and communicate complex emotions that may be difficult to put into words.
3. Somatic Experiencing and Body-Oriented Therapies
Somatic therapies such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) focus on the body's sensations and responses to trauma. By tuning into these somatic experiences, individuals gain valuable insights into how their bodies respond to stress and trauma triggers. Therapists guide clients in identifying areas of tension, discomfort, or numbness, and explore gentle movements or grounding techniques to regulate nervous system arousal. Building internal resources and cultivating a sense of safety in the body are foundational aspects of healing trauma. These approaches help individuals renegotiate trauma-related physiological arousal, release stored tension, and re-establish a sense of safety and empowerment in the body.
4. Holistic Lifestyle Approaches
Healing from trauma extends beyond therapy sessions into daily life. Holistic trauma recovery may also involve lifestyle interventions such as nutrition counseling, exercise programs, sleep hygiene practices, and stress management techniques. Consuming whole foods rich in nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides essential fuel for the body and brain. Prioritizing restorative sleep contributes significantly to emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall vitality. Engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, journaling, or connecting with supportive relationships also serve as valuable stress-relief strategies. Creating a supportive and nurturing environment in all aspects of life reinforces the trauma recovery process.
Integrating Modalities for Comprehensive Healing
A holistic and comprehensive approach to trauma recovery acknowledges that each individual's healing journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Therapists skilled in trauma healing often integrate multiple modalities based on the client's needs, preferences, and stage of healing from trauma. For example, a session may begin with mindfulness practices to ground the client, followed by somatic work to address bodily sensations and trauma responses, and then incorporate talk therapy to integrate insights and emotions. Alternately, someone in recovery may find different activities that feel healing at various points in their journey. All of these approaches are ways to reduce distress, express emotion, and make meaning of challenging experiences.
Conclusion: Embracing Wholeness in Trauma Recovery
Healing trauma is not just about managing symptoms; it's about reclaiming a sense of wholeness and empowerment in one's life. A holistic approach to trauma therapy honors the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that healing involves addressing all these aspects. I deeply believe in the power of all of these approaches to offer compassion and healing to the emotionally, mentally, and spiritually wounded. All of the approaches above allow the recovering person to gain skills and strength that can help them grow from the painful experiences of the past. By integrating multiple modalities, individuals can embark on a comprehensive journey towards healing, resilience, and reclaiming their innate capacity for joy and well-being. Remember, healing is possible, and you deserve to embark on this journey towards a more peaceful, fulfilling, and empowered life.
For more of Amanda’s writing, check out her Trauma Recovery Blog at Trauma Recovery Blog at Inward & Onward Therapy (inwardonwardtherapy.com)
If you’re interested in her online video course Healing Generational Trauma: Paving Your Path to Wholeness, learn more here: Generational Trauma Healing Course | Inward & Onward Therapy (inwardonwardtherapy.com)
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