Trauma is not just an event, but also the physical and psychological effects it has on an individual. We can change lives and impact health and well-being in many ways. The body and mind can present unpredictable and complex symptoms that greatly affect the quality of life.
Developmental Trauma
“Developmental trauma” refers to the frequent harm that children can suffer at a young age. Such maltreatment can result in neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse by caregivers, or exposure to violence or abandonment. Developmental trauma can have an impact on a child’s thinking, emotions and physical state, causing difficulties in emotional control, behavior or physical reactions. Untreated and unresolved developmental trauma can lead to problems in adulthood.
Intergenerational trauma
Intergenerational trauma and historical trauma are important concepts. “Pain runs through families until someone is ready to feel it.” The idea behind intergenerational trauma is that the impact of trauma doesn’t always go away and can affect individuals and families across generations. Not only have these individuals experienced their own trauma, but they may also belong to families whose parents or caregivers have suffered unrecognized or untreated trauma.
Addictions are the result of trauma
Gabor Maté, a renowned specialist in addiction and childhood trauma, highlights the profound impact of early experiences on the development of addiction. He emphasizes that addiction often arises from individuals’ experiences of dealing with unhealed childhood wounds. Understanding these adaptive mechanisms is crucial to effectively addressing addiction and promoting holistic healing.
Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse
Religious trauma, as described by Steven Hassan and Marlene Winell, refers to the negative psychological effects and lasting damage caused by involvement in manipulative or coercive religious groups or systems. Hassan, a renowned expert on cults and mind control, identifies specific tactics employed by these groups, including thought reform techniques, social isolation and suppression of critical thinking. Religious trauma can result in cognitive dissonance, emotional distress, loss of personal autonomy and difficulties in establishing a healthy sense of identity. Understanding and addressing religious trauma is crucial for individuals to regain control over their lives and follow their own opinions and values. In many ways, it is similar to C-PTSD.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD usually arises from a single traumatic incident, such as an accident or an assault. On the other hand, C-PTSD often develops from repeated or prolonged trauma, such as child abuse, repeated violence or emotional neglect. CPTSD can profoundly shape an individual’s fundamental beliefs about themselves, others and the world. This can result in negative self-perceptions, a diminished sense of security and a generalized feeling of being fundamentally flawed or damaged.
We offer Compassionate Consultation, Trauma-Informed Art Therapy, integrated Qigong therapy and Mindfulness in English, Spanish, Swedish and Brazilian Portuguese. On Zoom and also in person in Florianópolis, Brazil and Stockholm, Sweden.
What is compassionate inquiry?
It’s a psychotherapeutic approach developed and created by Dr. Gabor Maté and further developed by Sat Dharam Kaur that focuses on revealing what lies behind the appearance that presents itself to the world. Together, the client and therapist reveal the layers of consciousness, mental climate, hidden assumptions, implicit memories and bodily states that specifically the real message that words express and conceal. Through Compassionate Inquiry, the client learns through experience to consider the unconscious dynamics that affect their lives and how to free themselves from them. Although it is a talk-based therapy, the focus is on the body and nervous system and does not happen there in the present moment.
“The aim of Compassionate Inquiry is to go deeper into the core stories that people tell themselves – to get them to see what story they are unconsciously telling themselves; what those beliefs are, where they came from; and to guide them towards the possibility of letting go of those stories, or letting go of the hold that those stories have over them….
That’s what Compassionate Inquiry is.”
– Dr. Gabor Maté
