What is a trauma response?   

Between the ages of two and seven, beliefs about ourselves are formed.  Children generally perceive experiences as a reflection of themselves.  For example, if the parents get a divorce, the child may believe that it is his fault.  Or if the child is harshly disciplined, the child may form a belief of being a bad person.  Safety and connection need to be taught, so unless the caregivers continually assure the child that he is good enough, is worthy, and has value, a core emotional wound will be formed that can affect that individual’s beliefs, emotions, and behaviors throughout life.  That core wound is stored, in the form of an implicit memory (feeling) that is like an unconscious recollection of the past, in the limbic system (emotional center) of the brain.

It is important to remember that it isn’t the traumatic event itself that is of consequence — it is how we interpret and perceive the traumatic event.  Those who develop core emotional wounds are those whose brains and bodies haven’t finished processing the past event.  Then, when something in the present reminds them of that past experience (even if there isn’t any real threat of danger), it will trigger a response (emotionally, behaviorally, and/or physically).

Past traumatic events can range from major occurrences like car accidents, witnessing a violent crime, or fighting in combat, to past everyday life experiences that have left someone not feeling like he is good enough, feeling like he doesn’t matter, or doesn’t feel important.

Our brains and our bodies are designed to seek pleasure and move away from and avoid pain or danger.  Our sympathetic nervous system is responsible for activating the fight/flight response.  This is instinctual and happens both when confronted with real danger or perceived danger.  This, in turn, triggers stress hormones, such as cortisol, to prepare the body to confront the threat (fight) or escape from it (flight).  Someone who is in the fight response might appear to be unreasonably angry.  An example of the flight response might be someone walking out of a meeting.

When someone isn’t in actual danger but is still producing cortisol, his heart rate may increase, he may have more energy, he may experience rapid breathing, he may have a heightened sense of alertness, he may have slowed digestion, or he may have increased inflammation.  During a long-term period of chronic stress, the individual may experience sleep problems, hormone imbalances, poor gut health, chronic fatigue, weight gain, allergies, mood changes, weight fluctuations, or low immune function.

If the trauma response is too overwhelming, the body will go into a freeze response.  In a freeze response, a person may become immobile, may be dissociated, and may not feel as much pain.  In a functional freeze state, the individual may be able to go through the motions at work (and appear to be just fine), but be totally dissociated.

Other signs that may be observed if the sympathetic nervous system is activated might include:

• functioning on high alert or else be totally shut down;
• flashbacks or intrusive thoughts;
• avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the past event;
• emotional responses (such as sadness, fear, anger, guilt, or shame) or complete emotional numbness;
• physical symptoms;
• mood or behavior changes;
• hyper-vigilance or easily startled;
• difficulty with memory or concentration.

We show up in the world in the present time based on what has happened in our past.  If we have unprocessed trauma, a variety of maladaptive avoidance strategies may be present, such as social avoidance, emotional avoidance, phobic avoidance, procrastination, and avoidant personality traits.  Additionally, when we have an unhealed core emotional wound, such as not feeling good enough, we adopt behaviors to overcome that feeling, such as people-pleasing and perfectionism.  These behaviors are used to cope with, and distract from, the core emotional wound.  We aren’t born with any of these traits; they are maladaptive responses to our perception of danger.

How somatic trauma-informed coaching can help!

A somatic trauma-informed coach is trained to understand the profound effects trauma can have on the brain, mind, and body, without stepping into the clinical role of a therapist.  A somatic trauma-informed coach works with the trauma and not on the trauma and offers strategies to enable the client to understand the nervous system and regulate emotions.

Somatic trauma-informed coaching offers clients a supportive space to rebuild a healthy, empowered relationship with themselves and their future.  Somatic trauma-informed coaching is about guiding people toward growth, resilience, and a strong sense of self.  Trauma doesn’t have to define who we are as individuals or as professionals, and the barriers from past trauma that are preventing us from being the best versions of ourselves can be removed, one by one, in a coaching setting.

Some of the areas that might be covered in somatic trauma-informed coaching include:

• exploring the body’s response to trauma;
• understanding polyvagal functions, mapping the autonomic nervous system, using the traffic lights of tolerance;
• discovering the role of generational trauma and creating a trauma timeline;
• identifying adverse childhood experiences that may have resulted in inner child wounds that, in turn, may have led to adopting protective parts/behaviors.

What past coaching clients are saying:

“Of all of the different things I have tried to move forward from trauma, your session has by far done the most!”

“My session really helped me connect the dots!”

Who am I and what led me to somatic trauma-informed coaching? 

I have been a self-employed dyslexia facilitator/coach for over twenty-five years.  I have also experienced multiple past traumatic events that led me on a journey of personal healing and post-traumatic growth.

In November of 2024, I successfully completed the rigorous training requirements with The School of Positive Psychology to become certified as a Somatic Trauma-Informed Coach (ICF and CPD accredited).

The passion and commitment I have for helping individuals who have experienced trauma move forward into a bright and promising future is not in spite of my past traumatic experiences but because of my personal experiences with trauma.

Call (814) 279-7840 or email me at info@dyslexiapa.com to get started on your healing journey.  

Distinct and separate service from Davis International.