How do traumas arise?

Physical violence during assaults, accidents, sexual assaults or natural disasters can lead to shock trauma.

Emotional neglect, relationship problems or prolonged abuse can cause complex trauma (k-PTSD).

The resulting events cannot be processed mentally, emotionally and physically. The psychiatrist van der Kolk speaks impressively of “embodied” horror.

The psyche protects us by splitting off unbearable memories and feelings and ensuring survival. The symptoms (see list above) are varied and individual. They also change over the years.

The actual violent or neglectful events need not have been severe. Many traumatized people do not remember them.

How does the therapy work?

The stabilization phase is about bringing you more into balance. Your resources are strengthened through relaxation exercises, mindfulness and imagination. This increases your sense of security and stability.

During the trauma work, we work on the previous reaction patterns step by step. Your inner images, body perceptions and feelings play an important role in this. Your own suffering and behavior patterns become understandable. Feelings of shame and guilt decrease.

My integrated therapy approach is based on the Neuro Affective Relational Model (Laurence Heller), Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine), EMDR (Francine Shapiro) and body psychotherapeutic interventions (Prof. Geuter).

Finally, what has been learned is integrated into everyday life and stabilized. Individual “relapses” make it possible to reflect on the reactions in therapy on a mental, emotional and physical level. In this way, everyday moments can be used to further reduce any moments of shame, fear or panic that still occur.