Cayla was just 6 years old when she was sexually abused by a family member. This abuse would continue on for another 15 years. At the same time this abuse was happening, she was also experiencing physical and emotional abuse.

This program talk discusses: a brief overview of Cayla’s story; the nature of inter-relational trauma and how this creates unbalanced power dynamics, loss of choice and chronic coercion; the impact of trauma on the nervous system; how complex trauma affects self-trust; shame, guilt, manipulation + gaslighting and how it affects the way we view ourselves and the beliefs we form; what the difference is between Complex PTSD and PTSD; how PTSD is diagnosed and treated medically and where the gaps are in the system; 4 ways to support a survivor as they work to find healing

Takeaways: 

*The physiological and psychological effects of complex trauma

*How trauma affects the way we view the world, others, and ourselves

*Why trauma survivors may not be getting the proper support they need and one starting point that may be useful

*4 ways to support a survivor as they work to find healing

This program talk discusses: what the C.A.R.E method is and how it might be useful in regards to first steps towards healing, why it’s important to address somatics in all trauma work, what self care means and how it can vary person to person, the importance of safety when it comes to any healing journey.

Takeaways:

*How to identify the difference between familiarity and safety

*Somatics- how the choice movement provides is an opportunity to reconnect with the body 

*Breath- why breathwork can be a useful tool in regards to exploring grounding and calm, and exploring through a few of these together

*How to define what self care means for you and how to explore this moving forward

*Affirmations- how to write a tangible affirmation and use it to help build new neural pathways

*Interoception vs Exteroception- what this means, and how to practice interoception cues using yoga