Supporting The Body To Heal The Mind
Over the last 30 to 40 years much research and study has been done in the field of trauma. How it is held in the body, why a similar experience can produce the effects of trauma in one person while not in another, and methods that can help persons heal. In the past trauma has often been thought to be ‘all in the mind’ and that people should be able to 'get over it' if they have enough determination and try hard enough; that people who experience trauma are somehow ‘weaker’ , ‘lazy’ or lack courage. This attitude revictimizes those who have already been 'thru hell'. New research has shown that the experience of events that cause trauma actually impact the nervous system at a cellular level and this impact then has repercussions in a persons thoughts, emotions, and physical actions. This resulting 'state' is a logical consequence of the nervous system disturbance and is beyond the voluntary control of the individual. Individuals who ‘rise above’, or heroically overcome events that many perceive should have caused trauma usually have had access to inner and/or outer resources that may be overlooked or invisible. Modalities that focus on the physical/biological impacts and works with them are referred to as somatic or body based approaches differing from the psychological/talk or psychiatric/medication approaches which have been the mainstay in the western world for the last 100+ years.
To experience trauma and feel its effects we do not have to have had an event happen. The perception and terror of the possibility of danger, threat to life, safety or of being overwhelmed can result in the same effects. This fact, that trauma can occur as a result of an individuals perception can cause distress and the experience of shame for individuals as they are frequently told 'but nothing actually happened'.
In his book Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body, Peter A Levine, PhD describes the experience and symptoms of trauma in this way: “…trauma is about loss of connection - to ourselves, to our bodies, to our families,… and to the world around us…. Our choices become limited as we avoid certain feelings, people, situations, and places. The result… is the loss of vitality and potential for the fulfillment of our dreams.”
Add section with Grizzly and quote that says “It’s not what’s wrong with you it’s what happened to you”
Transforming Touch®
Transforming Touch® is a treatment modality that follows a specific protocol that is repeated every session. Repeating the same protocol every session allows the nervous system (the conscious and unconscious) to ‘know’ what to expect. This ‘knowing’ provides a sense of safety that often was missing early in life. This new experience and sense of safety can allow the nervous system to respond in new ways. Clients often report that they responded differently or felt different in a given routine situation without effort or conscious thought.
Transforming Touch® was developed by Stephen Terrell, PsyD, SEP during his 20+ years of experience working in the field of developmental and early childhood trauma, much of this work has been with adoptive families and children. He found approaches such as talking therapy and various other more common somatic approaches were minimally effective.
All parts of each client are welcome. The parts that want to talk, the parts that want to be quiet, the parts that want to be seen and those that want to hide. There is no need to perform or to be a certain way.
Because many clients live with the effects of trauma that has its roots in historical, generational, in utero and early childhood experiences, Naomi’s practice focuses mainly on the use of Transforming Touch® which can touch into the experiences that occurred in pre-verbal times. This modality does not require a narrative or ‘story’ and focuses on providing consistent safe presence and attention rather than trying to ‘fix’. Transforming Touch® supports the nervous system which is responsible for activating our Fight-Flight-Freeze defense mechanisms. These responses helped us survive; however, when the nervous system gets stuck in any of these modes we experience and live with the effects of trauma. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, fear, anger, PTSD, stress, excessive sleeping, self-soothing using alcohol and drugs can all be side effects of trauma.
Bringing grounded, focused attention to key areas of the body in a safe and consistent process, can assist the nervous system to gradually release its constriction and become less ‘stuck,’ allowing the body and mind to return to a restful state. This ‘settling’ of the nervous system often results in a calming of the mind and body. Some of the benefits of this new state may be: increased ease in social engagement, decrease in sudden mood swings, more restful sleep, a greater felt sense of safety, increased ability to distinguish between real and imagined threats, and a greater ability to enjoy the present moment.
What To Expect From Sessions
Naomi primarily uses Transforming Touch® In her practice, as many clients live with the effects of trauma that has its roots in historical, generational, in utero and early childhood experiences which are forms of trauma that a often do not have clear specific narrative and are thus best connected to and resolved at the body level.
Sessions are 50 minutes, and clients remain fully clothed. Clients may sit in a comfortable supported position or rest in a more horizontal position depending on their preference. Clients may talk or remain quiet; some clients fall asleep during the session. Naomi often uses Transforming Presence a form of Transforming Touch® which does not involve physical contact. Attention is focused on key areas of the body that function as access points to the nervous system. Some of these access points are, the brainstem located where the head meets the spine, and the adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys.
Therapy may be a combination of both talk and touch. This is decided in conversation between Naomi and the client. Everything is done to ensure treatment is safe and will foster the desired results.
Currently sessions are mainly offered online via video conference. Naomi may at times offer in person sessions in Terrace and Vancouver, BC. Video sessions allow the client to remain in their own home wherever that may be. Naomi then uses her voice, attention and intention (Transforming Presence/Intentional Touch) to ‘walk through’ the session. Most clients find this just as effective as in person sessions and it allows access to clients no matter where they are located.
Is This Right for You?
Do you believe there is a way through or out of your current situation? Have you tried other modalities of treatment and still feel stuck? Are you tired of talking about issues and noticing little positive change?
Naomi uses somatic therapy to provide support for your nervous system so it can process and recover from past experiences. This eases tension and improves your ability to experience the present moment. Naomi’s approach is based on the belief that each person’s own body and nervous system has the capacity and innate tendency towards healing.
Background & Experience
Naomi Davies is a Registered Nurse, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, and Transforming Touch® Therapist who works with clients to process trauma and regain the ability to enjoy the present moment. She grew up in Colombia, South America, loves travelling, kayaking and the outdoors. She has worked for over 20 years as a nurse in Canada in both major hospitals and remote communities in BC, Manitoba, and Nunavut. In recent years she has been working in the area of mental health.
After a successful career serving people in Indigenous and Inuit communities as a Community Health Nurse, she now provides support to people in their journey to heal from experiences of trauma.
Naomi believes that healing comes from within each of us, that our bodies are primed to heal and it happens best when we are supported by a skilled guide, rather than when we try to do it alone.
Issues That Can Benefit From This Treatment
Trauma
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Early childhood trauma, medical trauma, shock trauma, post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD)
Emotional Distress
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Anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger and relationship difficulties
Physical Imbalances
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Chronic pain, insomnia, excessive reliance on substances to get through the day.
“Trauma is a fact of life but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence.”
— Peter A. Levine Ph.D Founder of Somatic Experiencing®