Keywords: Adverse Childhood Experiences.
I met with Art O'Malley to talk about the long-term effects of early life Trauma on our physical and mental health. Art is originally trained as a Psychiatrist, with a specialty in working with children and adolescents, and from there on expanded his approach with Somatic Experiencing, Sensory-motor Psychotherapy, and EMDR. He is also the founder of the B.A.R.T model (Bilateral Affective Reprocessing Trauma) and author of - The Art of Bart.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Therapy
Art and I both see the importance of using a somatic and cognitive approach to trauma or what is also called a top-down and bottom-up approach.
We started with a wide topic so we have just skimmed part of some of the essences of the topic namely: the brain and nervous system responses after trauma, what works as to approaches to working with trauma, the narrative of the story and using constructive imagination to reintegrate missing parts, safety, resistances, and the necessity to leave one's personal agenda and be present to working with and honor resistances, honesty and a willingness to work. To name a few!
Working Through Adverse Childhood Experiences
It takes significant commitment to work through adverse childhood experiences and early life trauma. Those who are willing and ready to work need to keep this in mind. It is also important to keep healthy expectations. You cannot get rid of or forget about what happened to you. You can heal the wound bu the scare-- most likely-- will remain.
Secondly, what is often more important is to have the right tools and resilience to recover faster from triggers rather than holding on to the expectation you will not suffer anymore in the future.
Have you been impacted by adverse childhood experiences? Share your comments here below: