EXPERTISE
linked
Intrinsically
DISSOCIATIVE
DISORDERS
HOW I WORK WITH IT
Working with Dissociative Disorders (DID) can be complex and take a long time but my focus is on working with the underlying trauma and taking a Parts Theory approach. Central to the different parts is a 'self' in which we maintain contact with to enable management and control of the parts.
HOW I UNDERSTAND IT
Dissociative disorders can develop as a result of early attachment issues or traumatic events where different parts of the brain disconnect with each other as a way to avoid the trauma in the other parts. This could present as a dissociative state which can feel like daydreaming, a complete conscious awareness of actions whilst still continuing with living or a complete split of parts on which each part, or altar, is only present at one time.
In turn this can cause increased levels of anxiety through loss of time and disorientation, exacerbating trauma. Parts or altars may also manifest as psychosomatic symptoms.
NEURODIVERSITY
HOW I WORK WITH IT
Prior to qualifying I worked with children with Autism, receiving the 5 day TEACHH programme from North Carolina.. People on the spectrum and with any form of neurodiversity offer such a unique and individual view of the world but struggle to fit into an un-adapted ‘normal’ world. Because of this I wanted to offer them a space where their world can be enjoyed and explored without judgement.
HOW I UNDERSTAND IT
People with ASD or neurodiversity's can experience daily environmental trauma along with social and family abuse and neglect from a misunderstanding of the disorder and how it manifests within the individual.
Those on the Autisitc Spectrum may experience sensory trauma, which if not appreciated and adapted too can create long term problems for the individual. This could result in chronic psychosomatic illness, Anxiety and PTSD symptoms, or Dissociative disrders making their already difficult ASD more complex. .
Every individual experience’s life differently depending on their personality traits combined with environmental upbringing and attachment relationships.
So some people may experience what is deemed as an everyday occurrence as traumatic where others can recover easily from what could be deemed a traumatic event. This is based on if and how they recover from an experience.
I have found trauma can be found at the source of many, if not all, of my clients issues, both physical or psychological, that can manifest in various ways such as chronic anxiety, psychosomatic illness, dissociative disorder or PTSD. Many people come to me fearing their feelings, because they have never healed from a previous emotional experience, which can be as simple as a primary caregiver depriving their child of a cuddle and reassurance when they are scared or hurt
HOW I UNDERSTAND IT
TRAUMA, FEAR & ANXIETY
HOW I WORK WITH IT
I became a Level 2 Trauma professional in 2021 to enhance my understanding of how trauma manifests itself and how best to treat it.
I work with Internal Family Systems Theory and Trauma Parts theory which enables the client to access the felt experience of the younger traumatised parts whilst remaining present in the adult mind.
New research has shown that Trauma itself does not have a chronological memory and so the ‘experience’ of it can still be held in the body many years later. By accessing the younger traumatised self alongside the present adult self we are able to teach the younger part it no longer needs to feel fearful.
HOW I UNDERSTAND IT
Early attachment issues can lead to…
trauma from being psychologically neglected
...Relational difficulties where the need for intimacy is in conflict with the fear of intimacy, leading to and avoidance measures.
...Dissociative disorders where parts of the brain splits off as a way to unconsciously avoid the trauma in the other parts.
...Anxiety disorders from the fear of being close but also being alone
ATTACHMENT
HOW I WORK WITH IT
I recognise the importance of developing a secure attachment relationship at a young age. If this has not been created, as an adult this can impact on the way we relate to others. Once identified I can help to create more positive relationship styles.
In the case where a secure attachment relationship has not been formed the child does not internalise a way to cope with stressful external factors or emotions, therefore being in a constant state of
HOW I UNDERSTAND IT
Research has found links between Fibromyalgia and trauma, either early attachment trauma or domestic abuse.
Unexplained pain and fatigue can be a way of the body trying to communicate stressors and trauma in the body.
PSYCHOSOMATIC
ILLNESS
HOW I WORK WITH IT
Through my Masters research and client work I have learnt about and recognised a relationship between unspecified health problems and emotional expression. This has led me to offer a compassionate and Mindful approach, to dealing with pain, fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and ME.
I explore and work with the underlying emotional stressors and conflicts that the body is trying to express. By using Parts theory we can help the body find it's own voice to express it's internal pain.