Soul Matters... October 2008

Freeing Adults from Childhood Trauma

Adults who endured childhood trauma often continue to suffer distressing effects from their experiences that differ from the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly associated with war veterans and disaster survivors. Physically and sexually abused children, as well as women exposed to prolonged interpersonal violence, have a complex set of reactions referred to as "complex post-traumatic stress disorder" (CPTSD) that is distinct from PTSD. In basic terms, the criteria for PTSD is event-focused, whereas CPTSD is impact-focused, and these differences have significant treatment implications.

While PTSD treatment focuses on the specific past events and the processing of related traumatic memories, clients with CPTSD often require treatment for emotional regulation, dissociation, and interpersonal problems. Helping clients regulate emotions is the foundation of CPTSD treatment because affect dysregulation, or the inability to adaptively manage or tolerate intense emotions, is pervasive among adults with histories of early and chronic childhood trauma, especially childhood sexual abuse. Early and prolonged interpersonal trauma impedes the ability to regulate affective states such as anger, anxiety, and sexuality, and can lead to destructive attempts at self-regulation through self-mutilation, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Those with CPTSD often feel out of control or powerless over their response to people and events. They say things like "It just happens" or "I can't control it; it just builds up and I explode."

Recent trauma research shows that childhood abuse persists in the body and that the physical processing of the emotional stimuli is an important component of effective trauma therapy, especially with CPTSD clients who often ignore, reject, or harm their bodies. Core Energetics, a spiritually-integrated body psychotherapy, helps clients get in touch with their bodies, heal the mind-body split, and regulate affect. Core Energetics therapists help clients achieve a physical sense of control by setting boundaries, managing physiological arousal, and regaining a physical sense of self-protection.

Although learning to regulate affect is considered the most important self-regulatory skill for CPTSD sufferers, these clients also benefit from psycho-spiritual interventions to address the frequent feeling of desertion by God and man. Core Energetics integrates spirituality into the mind-body healing process, helping CPTSD clients achieve affect regulation and move beyond the trauma to secure loving, creative lives. The process can free adults from childhood trauma and may even lead to genuine emotional and spiritual transformation.

Kathleen E. Scheg practices Core Energetics body psychotherapy and pastoral counseling at PC&CC. She may be reached at 202-449-3789 x710.

THERAPISTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

-In November, PC&CC's Nathan Gehlert will take part in a professional training seminar on the development and clinical applications of the NEO-PI-R personality inventory.

-This month Robert Gordon will be addressing the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Annual Autism conference in Towson, Md. His presentation is titled, "Mind, Body, Spirit" and participants will include physicians, researchers, parents, and educators.

-Beret Moyer is taking part in Susan Johnson's telecourse, "Bringing the New Science of Love into Everyday Life." The four-day program will explore "Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapym" including the science of bonding, attachment, and disconnection.

-Rebecca Sears returns to South Africa to continue training new Imago therapists from Oct. 1-15. She also will present an advanced training, "From Attachment to Attunement: Moving into Competence" in Pretoria. In November, Sears will co-present the clinical update to the Imago International Conference in Portland, Ore.

-Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin recently published his book, "The Jewish Marriage Book: Improving Your Marriage One Jewish Holiday at a Time," available here. He also co-authored and edited a Jewish version of the popular Couplehood as a Spiritual Path program available next month.

REFERRAL CORNER: Dealing with Panic Attacks

While many people understand the concept of panic - a sensation of seemingly uncontrollable fear spreading throughout the body - there are varying degrees to which people may be affected by the phenomenon. A true panic attack is a "sudden surge of mounting physiological arousal," according to Edmund Bourne's "Anxiety & Phobia Workbook."

The physical symptoms of a panic attack may include shortness of breath, tightening of muscles, dizziness, fainting, sweating, and trembling. Meanwhile, there may be psychological symptoms accompanying the attack, such as feeling outside one's body, an urge to run, and fears of losing one's mind or dying. For many, the first panic attack creates what Bourne names as "anticipatory anxiety" regarding the potential for another attack.

There are many strategies for coping with panic attacks which may help sufferers reduce their impact and frequency, Bourne explains. Lifestyle changes such as developing a regular relaxation practice and making a commitment to exercise have been helpful. Bourne adds that those able to eliminate stimulants, acknowledge and express feelings, and adopt healthy core beliefs, have a better chance of working through their panic attacks.

In the moment, Bourne suggests that resisting or fighting early panic symptoms may exacerbate them. Rather, those who accept what is happening and "float with the wave of a panic attack" have a better chance of moving through it more quickly. Because panic attacks are time limited, those who allow time to pass so that their bodies may reabsorb the adrenaline rush associated with the attack often report feeling better faster.

Information culled from Edmund Bourne's "Anxiety & Phobia Workbook."

RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE MONTH: Balancing Marriage and Children

It's inevitable - children change marriage. The way this happens is determined by the priorities couples set consciously and/or unconsciously. Some people marry with the intention of being lifetime partners first, and parents second. Others put parenthood on the front burner and their spouse on the back. Children need parents who are devoted to each other, who can provide a secure base for them, and with whom they feel safe. They need to see that Mommy loves Daddy most, not them. It has been said that the best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other. Children don't "ruin" marriage, unless their parents give them the power to do so.

The child raising-years of marriage are years when couples typically have less time for each other, when they must make time, find time to be together, and create space. Date Night will not happen spontaneously (but is highly recommended, once a week) and an occasional overnight away from the kids will not materialize out of thin air. Spending time together is an active pursuit that takes mutual
energy, commitment, creativity, and planning. Children quickly come to accept, understand, and expect their parents to spend time together if it is introduced to them as a given, and as a family value. It actually helps children feel loved and cared for to know their parents love and care for each other.

- Beret Moyer M.S., NCC

PC&CC EVENT CALENDAR

Our "Getting the Love You Want" workshops for couples can serve as excellent premarital preparation or as a way to supercharge a couple's ongoing marriage counseling. Past attendees have described the experience as powerful, deeply spiritual, inspiring, and fun. The weekend course offers the equivalent of 6 months in couples counseling work. The next Washington, DC workshop will be Nov. 14-16. Click here for more information.