Dr. Julia A. Andre

16/09/2023

How to support trauma Survivors?

Supporting a trauma survivor can be a crucial part of their healing process. Trauma can manifest in many different ways, and it's essential to approach each survivor with empathy, patience, and sensitivity.

Here are some steps you can take to support a trauma survivor.

01/09/2023

We are here to help. We firmly believe that Healing is Possible, especially with evidence-based, holistic trauma treatment options.

Please reach out if you want to learn more about trauma treatment in an intensive format.

31/08/2023

30/08/2023

Minimizing traumatic experiences" refers to downplaying or reducing the significance and impact of past traumatic events.

This can take various forms and may occur for several reasons:
1.) Coping Mechanism: Some individuals may naturally minimize traumatic experiences to cope with emotional pain. By downplaying the event, they may attempt to avoid or lessen the distress associated with the memory.

2.) Denial: Minimizing trauma can also be a form of denial. People may find it difficult to accept that they have experienced something traumatic, so they may unconsciously or consciously minimize the event as a defence mechanism.

3.) Social Pressure: External factors, such as societal norms or peer pressure, can contribute to minimising trauma. Some cultures or social circles may stigmatize discussing or acknowledging trauma, leading individuals to minimize their experiences to fit in or avoid judgment.

4.) Fear of Vulnerability: Opening up about traumatic experiences can make individuals feel vulnerable, and they may minimize these experiences to protect themselves from potential emotional or social harm.

5.) Memory Distortion: Trauma can also affect memory. Some individuals may genuinely remember traumatic events differently over time, leading to a perception that the event was less traumatic than it actually was.

It's important to note that minimizing traumatic experiences can have short-term and long-term consequences. While it may provide immediate relief from distress, it can also prevent individuals from seeking the help and support they need to process and heal from their trauma. Minimizing trauma can lead to long-term emotional and psychological effects if not addressed.

Recognizing and acknowledging trauma is an essential step in the healing process. Seeking support from mental health professionals or support groups can help individuals healthily process their experiences and develop effective coping strategies.

29/08/2023

After my short post yesterday, I thought about Ommision Trauma in more depth and felt that this topic is worse than a whole blog article.

On countless occasions, my clients are baffled when I talk about omission trauma; they have never heard about it before or even made that connection. This is often a pivotal and eye-opening moment in therapy, pathing the way towards true healing.

Please find my latest blog article on my website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime.

How often do I hear the phrase, “I am not traumatized; nothing terrible has happened to me. My parents never hit me or pressured me in school.” However, they still suffer from chronic anxiety and unrelenting standards and find connecting and relying on people hard, and I don’t know why. This a...

28/08/2023

What is Omission Trauma?

"Omission" generally means leaving something out or not doing something. So, if we combine these terms, "omission trauma" could potentially refer to a situation where trauma arises from something that was omitted or not done rather than from an event that directly occurred.

For instance, someone might experience distress and emotional turmoil due to the absence of something significant in their life, such as emotional support, validation, care, or a sense of belonging. This could be tied to experiences where critical needs or expectations were left unmet, leading to emotional pain and potentially long-term psychological effects.

27/08/2023

This recent Schema Therapy workshop, "Looking at Our Own Stuff': Self-Practice and Self-Reflection for Therapists," presented by "Schema Therapy Training Australia" in Bali, showed me again how vital self-practice is. Self-practice is not just a professional requirement for clinical psychologists; it's a fundamental aspect of personal and professional growth.

Upon reflection, and four weeks later, I can confidently say that this workshop truly enhanced my ability to provide effective and compassionate care while maintaining my own well-being and being aware of my own blind spots.

Interestingly, I admit that I was initially hesitant and a bit scared, but I did not regret a single minute of this workshop. Self-practice and healing in a safe environment are very beneficial.

If you have an opportunity for self-practice, I highly recommend taking it :)

18/08/2023

What are Psychological Defenses?

Jim Knipe’s EMDR Toolbox Book defines psychological defence as any mental action or behaviour that prevents intrusion of posttraumatic disturbing memory material into the functioning of the part that is trying to look and act “normal”. For example, addictive disorders often serve a defensive purpose.

When emotional intrusions from the past happen repeatedly, defences will become stronger because they protect the normal self by putting in place a mental wall to prevent intrusions of posttraumatic disturbances. While defences protect the individual from distress, they may also limit access to unresolved memories.

This concise blog article is useful to understand potentially your own defenses and equally helpful for therapists on how to handle defenses during trauma treatment sessions with clients.

https://www.essentiapsychology.com/trauma-treatment-what-are-psychological-defenses/

17/08/2023

CLUES THAT THERE IS TRAUMA SOMEWHERE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE:
Perfectionism
Drug addiction or alcoholism
Righteousness
Narcissism
Disordered eating or an eating disorder (they’re different)
Anxiety
Depression
Chronic pain
Chronic fatigue
Over-exercising
Panic attacks
Cycling through relationships or not maintaining some degree of friendships
People who have low self-esteem or self-worth
People pleasing to an unreasonable amount, for example, ALL the time
Excessive vanity
Short tempered, easily angered, or easily emotionally injured
Internal conflict that does not go away
In**st and sexual assault
Core negative beliefs

15/08/2023

The concept of how trauma is stored in the body is often associated with somatic experiencing and somatic psychology, suggesting that traumatic experiences can be stored in the mind and the body.

Therapeutic approaches, such as Somatic Experiencing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Body-Mind Psychotherapy, focus on helping individuals release stored trauma from the body. These therapies often involve guiding clients to pay attention to bodily sensations and encouraging the completion of the physiological responses initiated during the traumatic event.

14/08/2023

CLUES THAT THERE IS TRAUMA SOMEWHERE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE:

Perfectionism
Drug addiction or alcoholism
Righteousness
Narcissism
Disordered eating or an eating disorder (they’re different)
Anxiety
Depression
Chronic pain
Chronic fatigue
Over-exercising
Panic attacks
Cycling through relationships or not maintaining some degree of friendships
People who have low self-esteem or self-worth
People pleasing to an unreasonable amount, for example, ALL the time
Excessive vanity
Short tempered, easily angered, or easily emotionally injured
Internal conflict that does not go away
In**st and sexual assault
Core negative beliefs