Complex PTSD and EFT When I first started using EFT in my practice in 1998, like most therapists, I welcomed all emotional disorders with open arms. Then, after I co-authored ‘Emotional Healing in Minutes’ in 2000, my interest lay in the treatment of phobias. Why? Because phobias are so debilitating and they only ever seem […]
Read MoreCategory: Trauma
The 10 Day Trauma Window
The 10 Day Trauma Window; New Research Demonstrates Long Term Effects of Acute Stress
Read MoreEFT and Adult Self-Regulation
The new Ralph Fiennes film about Rudolf Nureyev offers a glimpse into the world of unhealed childhood trauma. It also highlights the physical and spiritual genius of a troubled child who learned to soar despite early adversity. Please Note: Because this article contains secondary-trauma potential, please tap while reading. In Russia, ‘White Crows’ are Shamed […]
Read MoreTrauma: An Insider’s Perspective
The background story: I have not been raped. Neither have I been beaten or physically abused. I have not been in, or witnessed someone else’s, serious road traffic accident. I come from an averagely functional, professional family, and am not aware of any dark deeds in past or present lives. My background is materially privileged. On the surface, a perfect progression.
Read MoreWe Are Not This – Yeah Nah
New Zealand’s response to tragedy It has been a week since the fatal Christchurch massacre in New Zealand. Fifty Muslims killed, and another 49 injured by a lone gunman as they prayed in their mosques. Our small country has reeled. We are a multicultural society of 200 nationalities, speaking 160 languages and with many different […]
Read MoreOne of New Zealand’s Darkest Days
Emotions, Responses and Steps Towards Healing On Friday March 15th 2019 there was a terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. As one journalist put it, “it took just 21 minutes of mayhem to end 50 lives and changed hundreds of others forever”. But that wasn’t quite accurate. It changed far more than […]
Read MoreNatural Disasters – Tips & Scripts
The devastating emotional impact of ferocious storms, fires, floods and earthquakes can leave us in an indescribable state of despair. So where and how do we begin?
At times like these the idea of tapping may not seem appealing, even though we know it can help. So be gentle with yourself, and consider beginning with one of the two silent options suggested. Going through the process with eyes closed should improve the calming effect.
Read MoreWhen Everyday Little ‘t’ Traumas Turn Into Big ‘T’ Traumas
Here’s a friendly and accessible discussion of how life’s everyday events can suddenly turn into traumatic memories. Knowing this gives us the power to see the event for what it is, and then more easily deconstruct them with EFT.
Read MoreIs ‘Breaking News’ breaking your heart?
Did you know that it has been proven that awareness begins in the heart and not the brain?
And did you know that brain-heart two-way communication is constant? The heart actually sends far more signals to the brain than the brain does to the heart! The heart’s intricacies are sophisticated enough to qualify as a heart brain.
Whether you are among those drawn the news like a moth to the flame or someone who avoids the news, these days it is pretty much inescapable.
Read MoreWhen Memory is the Enemy
Remembrance Day has got me thinking about memory. And about something that really struck me as key in the last year of studying trauma intensively…
Linked ArticleThe Demon Inside; Who is Ultimately Responsible?
“The ACEs study, first published in 1998 has been followed by over 57 other publications since then. It is likely the largest and most important public health study that you have never heard of. Of the more than 17,000 people studied, over 87% had a score greater than one. Over 12% of those studied had ACE scores of four or more…”
Linked ArticleChildhood Trauma, Neglect and Adverse Childhood Experiences
When we are born we are hard-wired to connect with our caregivers. Human beings mature slowly, our brains learn through social interaction and we are dependent upon our parents for our survival longer than any other mammal.
Linked ArticleHealing Trauma With Our Dreams
“Researchers at UC Berkeley have found that when dreams occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, our stress responses shut down, and the neurochemicals responsible for stressful feelings stop being released.”
Linked ArticleLearn Your ACE Score: Adverse Childhood Experience or “ACE”
“The more types of childhood trauma a person has – i.e., the higher the ACE score — the higher the risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disease, as well as depression, violence, being a victim of violence, and suicide.”
Linked ArticleThe Dissociation Capsule
“Although EMDR has achieved recognition after years of exhaustive study, the esoteric nature of most of somatically-based techniques has relegated them to the dustbin of accepted trauma therapy, despite their widespread use in many parts of the world, and the many uncontrolled studies that reflect positive results.
We may have at our disposal therapeutic techniques that ultimately promise the quality of healing trauma that we have yet to achieve.”
Linked Article