The Human Threat Response

Transcription

1 I SEE Title Slide YOU Incorporating the Trauma Lens into Person-Centered Care I SEE YOU - Workshop Overview Through The Trauma Lens We Will Explore: The Human Threat Response Elements & Function Trauma Definition, Characteristics, Impact How We Can Help Tools & Resources Suzie Gruber, MA, SEP 2016 CAADS May 13, with 2016 Suzie Gruber, MA, SEP The Human Threat Response Orienting to the Here & Now Who and what is in my environment? Am I safe? Orienting eases transitions, especially into unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. When you fully arrive and orient and help others do the same, everyone can be more present for what s happening. 1

2 Tool: Orienting to the Here & Now Tool - Orienting Invite the client To get physically comfortable. To have a look around. Let their eyes land on something pleasing or interesting. Notice what changes in the client as you do that. What Is Social Engagement? Any Behavior that Promotes Communication, Safety, and Bonding Eye Contact Facial Expression Voice Tone Gestures Movement Towards Physical Contact fmri Study of Trauma Survivors Brains Brain In Fight Response Brain In Freeze Courtesy of Bessel van der Kolk Trauma Is The persistent imprint of an event or events perceived as life threatening during which we were unable to successfully protect or defend ourselves while having too little support. When You Are In Freeze, Your IQ Drops 25 Points or More! 2

3 Shock Trauma The impact of acute, devastating incidents that leaves an individual frozen in fear and frozen in time. -- Dr. Laurence Heller Falls War Accidents Natural Disasters Invasive Medical Procedures Developmental Trauma The ongoing experience during childhood of abuse, neglect, and/or misattunement at the hands of caregivers. In adulthood this may lead to: Lack of Awareness of Needs Inauthentic Behavior Difficulty in Relationships Unresolved Anger Poor Personal Boundaries Misattunement Caretaker fails to respond consistently to the child s cries & need for nurturing. Initial Protest/Frustration Child Stops Protesting Lack of Fulfillment Resignation Depression Unresolved Anger Underneath I want no more from the environment than the environment is willing to give me. ~~Dr. Laurence Heller Developmental Trauma:: Double Binds Caregiver was the perpetrator. I need you/love you & you are dangerous. I want to be myself & it s not safe to be myself. I want to say no & it s not safe to say no 3

4 Signs of Activation & Settling Signs of Activation Feelings - Anxiety, Joy, Fear, Anger Body - Shallow Breath, Digestive Changes, Shaking, Trembling, Chronic Pain Behavior - Isolates, Runs, Fights, Sleeps Signs of Settling Feelings - Settle & Resolve Body - Breath Slows & Deepens, Burps, Stomach Gurgling, Tingling in Hands & Feet, Pain Eases Behavior - Social Engagement, Makes Good Eye Contact Resilience Resilience is the capacity we all possess to rebound from stress and feelings of fear, helplessness and overwhelm. Peter A. Levine, PhD. Resilient Nervous System Montage Energetic & Alive Curious & Open Able to Be Present Relaxed yet Alert Sense of Agency Available to Connect 4

5 What Triggers Your Clients? Tool: Track Your Your Client Client Life threatening events Meetings with people in power Unfamiliar experiences Transitions Physical accidents Unmet basic needs Secondhand information about distressing events Activations Accumulate Chronic Stress & Chronic Trauma Observe Body Language Facial Expression Emotion Tone of Voice Breath Eye Contact Where Are They? Safety Zone Threat Zone Orient, Social Eng., Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fold Settling Zone Your Nervous System Sets the Tone Resource Your nervous system can set the tone. Resource: Anything that Settles Threat 5

6 Cross-Cultural Considerations: Know Who You re With What is considered a resource varies. Physiology is the same. Social norms differ across ages & cultures. Gender differences inside cultures Use of technology Touch/eye contact Bibliography 8 Keys to Brain-Body Balance Robert Scaer Healing Developmental Trauma L. Heller & A. LaPierre In an Unspoken Voice Peter Levine Psychological Trauma Bessel van der Kolk Trauma Stewardship Laura van Dernoot Lipsky When the Body Says No G. Matė Acknowledgments For More Information Laurence Heller, PhD Creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model TM suzie@suziegruber.com (707) Peter A. Levine, PhD Creator of Somatic Experiencing 6