Somatic Healing for Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is rooted in deeply traumatic experiences that necessitate our survival mechanisms. In order to survive overwhelmingly painful experiences (physical, mental or emotional) and deeply felt grief, we will hold down, suppress, and completely disassociate from the intense emotions within our bodies. This is needed in order to make it through the experience. However, it means that we once we disconnect from our emotions, our grief, fear and sadness, pushing the pain down into our bodies, we may reach a point in our lives where we are able to process it. It is extremely important that we work with Complex PTSD in very gentle ways so that we do not reactivate the nervous system and throw the body back into fight or flight. Not everyone is ready to work through the trauma, it depends on where you are in your personal understanding of it. I am equipped to support and guide people to assess what is needed at their unique time.
Please do not assume you understand someone who has CPTSD- it is inherently complex to understand and most people (even well meaning practitioners) misunderstand Complex PTSD.
When trauma is repressed or suppressed, it can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms:
Physical Pain: Chronic or acute pain that can be difficult to diagnose often arises from unprocessed trauma.
Eating Disorders: Disordered eating behaviors may develop as a means of coping with emotional distress.
Muscle Tension: Persistent tightness in muscles can inhibit physical healing and contribute to discomfort.
Digestive Struggles: Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be exacerbated by emotional turmoil.
Insomnia: Sleep disturbances can result from anxiety and racing thoughts linked to past trauma.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Heightened anxiety can affect daily functioning, leading to overwhelming feelings of dread.
Skin Conditions: Issues such as hives or eczema may flare up due to chronic stress.
Fibromyalgia: This condition can be linked to emotional and physical stress, leading to widespread pain.
And so much more.
The Need for Deeper Somatic Healing
After engaging in talk therapy or other modalities, you may have a feeling that a deeper level of healing is possible- but not know how to get there. You may feel all the trauma stored in the body, just waiting to be acknowledged, understood, witnessed and released. When you have this inner knowing and feel ready, this is when it’s time to take the next step to complete the healing.
Creating Space for Grief
One of the most crucial elements in restoring both body and mind from CPTSD is creating space to grieve. Grief may arise not only from the trauma itself but also from the loss of your sense of self, relationships, and the normalcy of life.
Grief is an incredibly challenging emotion to really feel in our body. We avoid it at all costs, feeling that it is “too much” because it feels overwhelming, and without the right guide, place and understanding, it can be difficult to process fully. We also hold back our grief around people, because we aren’t sure that they can handle it either.
A practitioner that is not acquainted with deeply processing their own grief (not just talking about it) can not support and guide you through the grieving process. It is vital that you work with someone who viscerally understands the depths of emotional pain and how to move it through the body.
My Offering: A real Space for Healing
This is where my offering comes in. In a one-on-one session, I will guide you into your body and create space for you to move through that overwhelming intensity that your body has been too afraid to feel. I am not afraid of it and there is nothing that I can’t hold space for. Your pain is not too much for me. I am deeply aquatinted with grieving.
Preparing for the Journey: This process is not for everyone; you must be ready (mentally, physically and emotionally) to feel what your body has held onto for so long. I understand from personal experience how daunting this can be. Our bodies have learned to respond in various ways- fight, flight, fawn, or freeze- so learning a new way may take time. There is also no pressure to be ready. The other option is that we work to restore the nervous system through gentle body work, spiritual connection, sound healing, energy healing and somatic counsel- this helps to prepare the body for the deeper layers of somatic healing.
Guiding a New Way: Through our sessions, we will teach the body that it is now safe to feel. This isn’t just about talking; it’s about actively processing grief. You will be lying down and with an eye mask covering your eyes, so you will be able to express your emotions through tears, sound, yelling, screaming, shaking or anything else that is needed. This is an experience you participate in and it is also something you need to experience, in order to understand.
addtional thoughts
The path to healing from CPTSD is not linear, and it requires courage to feel the buried emotions within. By creating space for grief, we honor our experiences and facilitate true healing. If you feel ready to embark on this journey, I invite you to contact me and discover the freedom that comes from fully experiencing your emotions and learning how to reprogram your nervous system.
Who Is This For
This healing experience is designed for individuals who are ready to process deep-seated emotions related to Complex PTSD (CPTSD):
Survivors of Trauma: If you experienced prolonged traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, or significant life disruptions, and are seeking a safe place to release that energy and heal.
Military Personnel and Veterans: Those who have served in the military have faced the unique challenges of combat-related trauma, loss of comrades, or the difficulties of reintegrating into civilian life- that are HIGHLY misunderstood. If you have struggled finding that deeper layer of healing and are ready to move through the emotions, this may be the right place for you.
Individuals with Repressed Emotions: If you find it challenging to express your feelings or have been suppressing grief and pain for years, this offering will guide you in releasing those emotions.
Anyone Seeking Deeper Healing: If you’ve engaged in traditional talk therapy but feel that a different approach is necessary to fully process your experiences, this session will help you connect with your body and emotions in a profound way.
Those Ready for Change: This journey is for individuals who are committed to their healing and are willing to engage in the sometimes challenging process of feeling and releasing emotions.
If you resonate with any of these descriptions and feel ready to take this courageous step towards healing, I invite you to join me in this transformative experience. Reach out with any questions.
