Psychological and Physical Effects of Trauma

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Psychological and Physical Effects of Trauma
Swindon Marriot Hotel Friday, 3 July 2009

• John D Lawrence
• Chair of UKCHO

(United Kingdom Confederation of Hypnotherapy
Organisations.)
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Trauma Therapy
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Peter Stanley Goddard MM

• 22.6.38 17.8.08
• Left school at 15
• Served for 24 years
• Medical discharge in January, 1977
• Awarded MM for action at Wadi Quatana on 1.12.64.

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Sign on Wall at the Brecon Beacons Military Camp,
Sennybridge, Wales

• PAIN IS JUST A SIGN OF WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY

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Alien Existence

• Alienationestrangement from self.
• The greatest hazard of all, losing oneself, can
  occur very quietly in the world, as if it were
  nothing at all. No other loss can occur so
  quietly. Any other loss-an arm, a leg, five
  dollars, a wife, etc. is sure to be noticed.
  (Kierkegaard Sickness unto Death32)

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Consequences of insecurity.

• Insecurity
• Engulfment feeling overwhelmed.
• Implosion feeling unreal and empty.
• Petrification turning to stone.

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Direction of Therapy

• Cooperative relationships
• Mutuality reciprocity-equality.
• Generosity giving of oneself.
• Collaboration working together.

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• Trauma Therapy

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Death Work, Police Trauma and the Psychology of
Survival

• Psychic closing off
• Necessary for police work

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The Emotional Roundabout
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Polarities of Trauma Symptoms
Intrusive/Compulsive Compulsive/addictive
sexuality Rage Flashbacks (might be
VKOAG) Somatic/medical symptoms, eating
disorders, self harm/mutilation
Inhibited/Lacking No sexual response/sensations No
anger (freeze) No memories (complete or only
partial VKOAG) No body awareness (certain areas
i.e. hands or arms only)
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Traditional Trauma Therapy

• The Un-experienced Experience Model
• Client is
• Dissociated from Trauma or Abuse
• Considering it as never really having experienced
  it
• Having a lack of connection to the event
• Needs regression to re-experience event

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Symptomatic Trance

• Is
• Repetitive and self-devaluing
• Closes down all possibilities of change
• Repetitive of past states
• Needs updated to fit present context
• Self as more than symptom is forgotten

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Healing Trance

• Is
• Validating
• Empowering
• Valid in relation to current situation
• Self as more than symptoms remembered

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Symptomatic V. Healing Trance
Validation, permission, respecting
boundaries Possibility words and phrases Helpful
distinctions Post-hypnotic suggestions of
health/healing Positive attributions, avoidance
of intrusive interpretations Empowering
suggestions, you can, you may, its okay, you
dont have to Reverse remembering/forgetting
Invalidation, blame, violating boundaries Mystific
ation, binds, double Binds Coalitions, secrets,
negative dissociation Predictions of failure or
trouble, threats Rigid role assignments, mind
reading Repetition of negative experiences/injurio
us/self-injurious behaviour Repression, amnesia
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Survival Mind V Learning Mind

• Balancing Stress

Dealing with self development, growth, healing,
learning and rejuvenation (Provides a balance
between mobilisation and restoration sleep,
rest)
Dealing with danger or perceived danger (Operates
automatically to defend against external threats)
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Survival Mind V Learning Mind
Keyed to Novel Experience
Keyed to Harm Avoidance
Open to new experience. Interest, curiosity,
pleasure, Novelty. Extroversion
Anxiety, Anger, Introversion. Selective bias
towards the familiar (safe) Can avoid or detach
from relationships based on previous attachments/
relationships
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Repetitive Freeze Patterns
Viewing (Reverie) Involves patterns of thinking
or focus that are either harmful or ineffective
for the client- combat negative self hypnosis
(Araoz, 1985) A symptomatic trance Doing
(Actions) Relates to actions or interactions that
are harmful or ineffective for the client
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Trauma to Transformation

• Motivating change

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