What is Somatic Trauma-Informed Coaching?
You may wonder why “Trauma“ is even part of the conversation when you’re ready to work with a coach or Hypnotherapist.
After all, the term "trauma" might seem intense, especially if you've already explored past experiences in therapy or had a happy childhood.
However, if you've been finding it difficult to overcome internal barriers, develop healthy self-worth, and change unwanted habits, working with a Trauma-Informed Coach/Hypnotherapist can be the key to achieving deeper, longer-lasting transformations and faster progress on your journey.
Let's explore what "trauma-informed" really means.
At its heart, it's an approach that recognises how common and powerful trauma is in people's lives.
What counts as Trauma
We often think of trauma as major events like accidents or assaults, but it's so much more than that. Trauma can be any experience that leaves us feeling upset, shocked, sad, disconnected or overwhelmed.
In the US, a surprising 70% of people surveyed have experienced a traumatic event, with almost a third of them experiencing four or more. In England, about one in three adults report having had at least one traumatic experience. Research shows that even everyday life events can cause just as many PTSD symptoms as traumatic events.
Trauma takes many forms, and its effects vary greatly from person to person. It shapes our deepest beliefs and influences how we interact with the world.
Even small events can have a big impact on our emotional and mental well-being.
While not all difficult experiences lead to a trauma response, and stress isn't always related to trauma, the real question for most of us is how much trauma we've experienced, not if.
Even a happy childhood can involve some level of trauma, depending on how we internalised those experiences.
Trauma can affect people in different ways, and the response to it is personal and unique to each individual.
Even if two people experience the same event, their reactions can be quite distinct. For instance, siblings who grow up in the same dysfunctional family or individuals who have gone through the same car accident may have varying emotional and psychological responses to the trauma they experienced.
What causes Trauma?
Trauma can be acute, chronic or a cumulative result of “a thousand cuts”.
Sometimes, trauma can be hidden from view, manifesting in unexpected ways like anxiety, self-doubt, or unhealthy habits. You might feel disconnected or unhappy inside, even if your life seems successful on the surface. This can be like carrying around a heavy burden, affecting your daily life without you realising it.
Trauma can stem from a multitude of sources
Trauma can come from many sources, such as financial stress, a single traumatic event, or ongoing childhood neglect. It can also stem from a lack of emotional or psychological safety, betrayal, abandonment, or unmet needs.
Generational Trauma or Secondary Traumatisation
One aspect of trauma that's often overlooked is how it can be passed down through generations. This inherited trauma can shape our relationships and behaviours, affecting us for up to seven to fourteen generations. Understanding and breaking this cycle is crucial for our lives, our families, and future generations.
Collective trauma
Collective trauma occurs when shared traumatic events affect entire communities, societies, or populations. Examples include the pandemic, natural disasters, wars, terrorist attacks, or systemic oppression
Subtle Trauma usually isn’t considered Traumatic
Subtle trauma often goes unnoticed because it doesn't lead to obvious symptoms. These experiences might not seem traumatic, but they can still affect our bodies, emotions, and actions. As a result, people often carry on with their lives, unaware of the impact on their well-being.
However, the symptoms of subtle trauma can manifest in unexpected ways later in life, such as unwanted habits, addictions, low self-worth, and unhealthy relationships.
Trauma is a fundamental part of our lives, shaping our beliefs, behaviours, and emotional responses. It affects the people who matter most to us.
We can’t talk our way out of Trauma
A key principle of trauma-informed coaching is recognising that trauma lives in both our bodies and our unconscious minds. We can't just think our way out of it; we need to address the underlying patterns stored in our bodies, nervous systems, and unconscious minds.
Even if we consciously feel safe, our bodies may remain on high alert, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
The nervous system can't differentiate between a severe, one-time traumatic event and persistent, long-term stress. Its sole purpose is to keep us safe, and perceived or real traumatic events can overwhelm the nervous system- if it’s “too much, too fast,” or “too much, too soon.” “too much for too long or too little”
Many of us live our lives in a state of fear, trauma, or stress response without realising it. This can be triggered by environments like highly pressured workplaces, emotionally abusive relationships, or growing up in a family with little love. These experiences can be just as damaging to our nervous systems as a serious accident or a war.
Another way to think about Trauma is that it's a long-lasting injury to your nervous system.
When you've experience something traumatic, telling yourself everything will be okay might not be enough. This is because your anxiety or inner critic is often rooted in unconscious memories and bodily sensations that you're not even aware of.
Your body has a natural response to stress and trauma, which can kick in before you even realize what's happening. This means that by the time you start feeling anxious or overwhelmed, your body has already sent a signal that it's not safe. Many of us are disconnected from our bodies and emotions, so we might not even notice this is happening.
Trauma is more about how our bodies and unconscious minds respond to it rather than what caused it in the first place. It's about finding ways to help our bodies feel safe again.
How is it different to Traditional Coaching or Therapy?
Traditional coaching and talk therapy often focus on changing our thoughts and behaviours using logic and reasoning. These methods can be very helpful, depending on where you are in your personal growth journey.
It's worth noting that it may take some time to see progress with these methods, and it's a personal choice. Research has shown that...
Psychotherapy results in 38% recovery rate after 600 sessions. ( Conscious mind)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy results in 72% recovery rate after 22 sessions (conscious mind)
Hypnotherapy has a 93% recovery rate after 6 sessions ( unconscious mind)
- Source: Barrios, Alfred A. “Hypnotherapy: A Reappraisal,” Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice ( 1970)
Interestingly in some instances just talking about your trauma can actually be more harmful than helpful. In the early 2000 research started to suggest that Recall Therapy (recalling or talking about past trauma) did 3 things:
Drastically activated the amygdala (the fear/threat centre in the brain)
Decreased activity in the Prefrontal Cortex (the "talking and thinking" part of the brain)
Exasperated symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
Trauma resides in the body and the unconscious mind, which makes up 95% of our mind. Trauma-informed coaching and hypnotherapy use somatic techniques and nervous system regulation to tap into the body's wisdom and the unconscious mind, leading to deeper transformations and quicker growth from within.
Some methods that go beyond the conscious analytical mind are:
Hypnotherapy (RTT Hypnotherapy)
Yoga therapy
Somatic therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing)
Brainspotting
Both approaches have their advantages, but neglecting the emotions stored in the unconscious mind and body can prolong the healing process.
In my client work, I blend Rapid Transformational hypnotherapy, somatic tools, the Blast Technique inspired by EMDR therapy, and tailored coaching to integrate mind, body, and emotions for optimal results.
How can working with a Trauma-Informed Coach help you?
Well, it all begins with acknowledging and valuing your experiences, no matter their scale. The distinction between big "T" and little "T" trauma, in my view, downplays the trauma experience
Some people seem to believe that when it comes to trauma, size matters. We even have terminology that allows us to talk as if some types of trauma are less damaging, less serious, or matter less than others. A person who has felt impacted by trauma shouldn’t feel minimized because their trauma seems “smaller” to others than other kinds...It is not up to us to judge, quantify or size up the impact of someone’s trauma. The only person who can do that is the person who feels it.
Robyn E. Brickel- FAMT/ Trauma Therapist
In my coaching and hypnotherapy sessions, my trauma-informed approach creates a secure environment for you to comprehend, heal, and evolve, even if past traumas are not fully recognised.
Even if you believe you are trauma-free or prefer not to discuss it, trauma can surface unexpectedly and subtly during our sessions. Being trauma-informed enables me to be attentive to these cues and offer you the best support wherever you are in your journey.
If trauma emerges during our sessions, you can feel secure, heard, and assisted as you naturally navigate through understanding, healing, and growth.
By grasping the impact of trauma on the brain and body, we can tailor your sessions to suit your individual needs, enabling you to concentrate on your goals and take proactive steps forward.
Additional direct and indirect benefits include:
Fostering Compassion: By reducing shame and judgment, you can nurture compassion and kindness towards yourself, your loved ones, your community, and the world at large.
Genuine Confidence and Connection: Embracing your authentic self empowers you to live in alignment with your true identity and create a satisfying life that reflects your inherent potential.
Shifting Past Perspectives: By reshaping past narratives, you can liberate yourself from restrictive beliefs that impede your ability to seize present opportunities.
Cultivating Inner Peace: Developing techniques to calm your nervous system aids in managing stress and preventing burnout, while effectively handling moments of heightened stress.
Knowledge Empowerment: Equipping yourself with tools, techniques, and psychological insights boosts self-awareness, enhances well-being, and instils a sense of empowerment.
Harmonising Goals with Values: Ensuring your goals align with your core values and genuine desires, rather than being solely driven by survival mechanisms during stress, promotes authentic fulfilment.
Trauma-Informed Coaches/ Hypnotherapists Verses Uninformed
You might be surprised to learn that some doctors, therapists, and educators aren't fully aware of trauma's impact.
Most coaches want to help, but without proper training, they might unintentionally cause harm to people with known or unknown trauma. Here's how:
Negative Impact of Toxic Positivity
When you're pressured to be positive even when you're struggling, you might feel guilty or ashamed for not being positive enough. You might also feel misunderstood if your experiences are met with superficial positivity instead of empathy.
Avoiding Re-Traumatisation
Trained coaches know how to avoid pushing you too far out of your comfort zone, which can be overwhelming.
Validation Matters
We believe it's essential to understand and validate your experiences, feelings, and reactions. Downplaying or dismissing them can be hurtful, especially for those who have experienced trauma.
Respecting Boundaries
Trained coaches respect your boundaries and never push you to share more than you're ready to.
** Gentle Guidance**
We use techniques that respect your coping capacity and adaptability, avoiding overwhelming goal-setting.
Understanding Trauma Symptoms
We acknowledge the impact of trauma symptoms on your life, recognising that avoidance behaviours or emotional struggles are coping mechanisms, not laziness or lack of motivation.
Creating a Safe Space
We strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences.
Empowering Positive Beliefs
We help you recognise and challenge negative beliefs, promoting positive self-awareness and self-worth.
Working with a trained trauma-informed coach eliminates uncertainty and helps you grow from the start.
Shame needs three things to grow: secrecy, silence, and judgment.
-Brene Brown
Whatever your background or emotional state, it's essential to remember that keeping negative thoughts and feelings to yourself can harm your long-term well-being and health. Practising self-compassion is essential to overcoming negative emotions.
Sharing your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or partner is a brave first step towards lifting the emotional burden you may be carrying. Next, consider seeking professional help, whether it's talk therapy or alternative approaches. Even the strongest individuals need support sometimes.
My trauma-informed coaching and RTT Hypnotherapy services focus on understanding how past experiences may be affecting your present. They provide personalised tools and support to help you work towards a brighter future. I don't dwell on past traumas but rather help you move forward.
Through Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy, I help clients resolve unhealed emotional wounds and replace negative self-beliefs with empowering ones. I also offer a combined programme of somatic trauma-informed Confidence and transformation coaching and hypnotherapy for deeper personal growth.
The key is to find a coach who makes you feel safe and understood, supporting your unique growth journey.
If you're interested in breaking free from self-sabotaging patterns and transforming your confidence, I invite you to schedule an introductory call to learn more about how I can help. here
