STR - Somatic Trauma Resolution

Artwork By Tara Seren Arts

STR - Somatic Trauma Resolution

This work applies the most current, cutting-edge research in neurobiology, psychology and trauma therapy, while remaining rooted in the naturally corresponding wisdom practices which reach back far into ancient forms of healing. Body-based therapies such as SP-STR provide an approach that is changing how we perceive, treat, and manage everything from how we develop and form health bonds, to every day stressors to illnesses to chronic nervous system disorders to shock and trauma events. Somatic Trauma Resolution (STR) is known for its gentle and safe effectiveness in bringing change and healing to the whole system in a way that empowers the client to build trust in their body's own, innate health and wisdom.

It is in our very design to complete trauma responses, to heal and to renew ourselves over and over again.

(Make sure to read the 'Somatic Processing' page for a more whole understanding of this dynamic and ecstatic approach).

The body-mind-spirit is incredibly resilient and wise and it does it's best to carry-on in the midst of unresolved events that stay active in the nervous system, which effects the whole system. Over time, we may get the message through the body and it's symptoms that perhaps we would benefit from an approach that could help us to access our inner wisdom and inherent health in order to see what might be better-cared for by our whole system.

We can experience a more integrated approach to self-healing. Small, simple, gentle steps transform the whole system over time...

One does not have to self-identify as "traumatized" to benefit from SP or STR work. This is a stressful world and we all benefit from support and tools shared.

It starts and ends with practicing Self-Compassion, and with becoming more aware of the languages our bodies speak.

Learning about the brain, the nervous system and the whole, integrated mind-body in even simple and practical ways - including what you can do to better care for yourself and your loved ones in times of stress and overwhelm - is a true "game-changer."

This work helps the body find safety and time for the incomplete fight, flight, freeze, fold responses to have a chance to complete and "get current" with the present again. This allows for the stress hormones that have been cycling, many times without interruption for many years, to experience relief and eventually, with practice, successful rewiring. This is where healing becomes felt and available.

We are wired for completion of the stress response. Learning how to access this innate wisdom is everyone's birth right...

Healing issues related to shock and/or chronic stress, and simply learning to listen to and trust your body, has many long-lasting benefits as one is again connected to their vital, core energy.

Completing cycles of fight/flight/freeze/fold in the nervous system, and gaining tools of self-awareness and self-compassion, one can again be freed-up for living life in order to experience things such as:

• Improved relationships (including and starting with yourself) through greater capacity for connection with others

• Improved immune function

• Hormonal balancing

• Increased energy, focus and stamina

• Greater capacity for joy, compassion, patience, curiosity

• More fun, dynamic and satisfying intimacy

• Better Sleep

• Better Digestion

• Weight regulation

• Relaxed, natural breathing

• "Reset" inflammation response for less pain, better skin and overall better health

• Raised creativity levels

• Greater sense of self-love, self-trust, self-understanding

• Huge leaps in self-empowerment

• Increased physical, mental and creative performance

• More joy and satisfaction with everyday experiences

• More sustainable and deeper access to The Good Stuff Life Offers Us

This work can be applied to assist with many events and/or symptoms including:

• Accidents or Falls

• Relationship stress and chaotic relationship dynamics

  • Consistently shallow breathing/shortness of breath

  • Inability to relax

  • Constant muscle tension and pain

• Sensitivities and Intolerances to foods and chemicals

  • Chronic indigestion

• Strong startle response to unexpected light, sound or touch

• Chronic pain and/or iIllness (especially which are not responding to treatment)

  • Avoidance of emotion by overuse of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, food, work, media, exercise, sugar, etc.

• Feeling numb or blank

• Feeling spacey and unable to connect to what people are saying to you

• Not being able to remember much about the past

• Extreme shyness or social anxiety; over-apologizing

• Extreme self-doubt / not in trust of your perceptions and intuition

• Surgeries and medical interventions

• Parenting and bonding concerns

• Birth stress and trauma

• Birth planning

• Pregnancy stress and concerns

• Flashbacks: re-experiencing past events through one or more senses (hearing, sight, emotions, body-felt sensation, etc.)

  • Sense of insurmountable isolation

• Processes of grief and loss

• Abuse, Neglect, Assault History

• PTSD

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Autoimmune Symptoms

• Stage Fright and Finding One's Voice

• Natural disasters

• Creative and/or Mental Blocks

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Eating Disorders

• Anger Management

• Desire to Become "Unstuck" From Old Patterns

Healing from these experiences and gaining insight and tools to manage stress can and should be gentle, and as slow as is needed to feel safe, empowered and supported. There is never a need to re-traumatize ourselves in order to heal. Feeling seen as healthy and whole in the midst of our challenges helps us to stay connected to the TRUTH of our health. Sometimes there are full memories of these events, and sometimes there are only symptoms. Resolution can be found in either case.

I refer to and work with transformational psychotherapists, trauma-informed yoga therapists, and a nurse practitioner, PhD for lab work and support with neurohormonal balancing when needed.

Recommended Reading Across Modalities:

“In An Unspoken Voice, How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness,”

by Peter Levine

“Waking the Tiger,” by Peter Levine

“Healing Trauma,” by Peter Levine

"How to Trauma-Proof Your Kids," by Peter Levine

"It Won't Hurt Forever: Guiding Your Child Through Trauma" by Peter Levine (available on Audible)

"The Body Keeps Score," by Bessel Van Der Kolk (Audible, too)

"Wired for Love," by Stan Tatkin (available on Audible)

"We Do," By Stan Tatkin

"Birth Without Violence," by Peter Leboyer

"Spiritual Midwifery," by Ina May Gaskin

"Your Inner Physician," by Upledger

"Dancing With Yin and Yang," by John Chitty

"Birth Without Violence" - Leboyer

"Hold Onto Your Kids" by Gabor Mate

"In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts," by Gabor Mate

"A Heart-Centered Approach to Healing Developmental Trauma," by Janae Weinhold

"Acu-Yoga," by Michael Reed Gach

"Reframe Your Thinking About Autism," by Holly Bridges (looking at the nervous system/polyvagal roots of the autism spectrum, including ADD/ADHD)

"The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory," by Stephen Porges

"Wise Woman Herbal: The Wise Woman Way," by Susan Weed (a fabulous look at restoring healing to more Earth-Centered Human Ways)

"Natural Born Shamans," by Imelda Almquist (a resource book for working with kids of all ages in ceremonial and everyday living)

"Healing Developmental Trauma," by Laurence Heller

"The LDN Book," by Chelsea Green

"The Heart of Listening: A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Therapy" by Hugh Milne

"Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life" by Emily Nagoski

(a wonderful and trauma-informed guide to healing and education of sexuality-related greatness)

(on audible, too)

"Self-Therapy, 2nd Edition," By Jay Earley - (on audible as well; an IFS-oriented book)

"Women Who Run With The Wolves," by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

"Joyous Body: Myths and Stories of The Wise Woman Archetype," by Clarissa Pinkola Estes (on Audible, too)

"The Adrenal Reset Diet," by Aviva Romm

....

Any of Martin Prechtel's Books and teachings, especially "The Smell of Rain On Dust," "Long Life, Honey In The Heart" and his Live CD talk "On Grief and Praise" both available on his website at www.floweringmountain.com

....

Podcasts:

Rewild Yourself - Daniel Vitalis

The Smart Couple Podcast - Jayson Gaddis (interviews with Bessel, Peter Levine, Stan Tatkin, Stephen Porges, Dan Siegel and many more - an immeasurable resource! He has a relationship school and coaching training in Boulder, CO)

Relationship Alive! - Neil Satin

The Craniosacral Podcast - Ryan Hallford

Fear Free Childbirth - Alexia Leachman

There are also many of his titles available on Audible, as well as many excellent YouTube videos available on all of their works.

Artwork By Tara Seren Arts