The Impact of Trauma — Big ‘ T ’ and Little ‘ t ’— on the Nervous System
How to Help Clients Calm Their Nervous System ( Move Up the Ladder )
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AMHCA ’ S 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE continued from page 19
In addition to these sensitivities , neurosensitives are often empaths — they are not only aware of others ’ emotions or energies from others ’ words , body language , tone , etc ., but they also feel others ’ physical sensations or emotions in their own bodies .
The Impact of Trauma — Big ‘ T ’ and Little ‘ t ’— on the Nervous System
Our nervous system constantly receives input from our five senses , our own emotions , and others ’ emotions . When the limbic system receives cues of danger ( real or perceived ) from our senses , it creates a cascade of physiological responses . Then our body sends cues back to the brain , which is likely to create a story that explains what ’ s happening , or what we can to do to avoid the perceived danger . This story is likely to stimulate additional cues of danger , which retriggers the body , and so on and so on .
The more trauma that an individual has experienced , the more reactive their nervous system . The steady bombardment of neurosensitives ’ sensory input and experiences to their limbic system creates a constant fight / flight / freeze response , creating a probability of emotional and behavioral dysregulation . As a result , even if they never experienced the more common “ big T ” traumas ( assault , abuse , etc .), their nervous system still reacts in a similar fashion .
Once I realized this , I recognized that neurosensitives ’ nervous systems were experiencing consistent “ little t ” traumas , which helped me to understand what these folks are experiencing and enduring daily . In fact , I have read that even sleeping does not provide a respite from their heightened sensory awareness since the amygdala ( the fight / flight center of the brain ) is constantly reviewing sensory input — even during sleep — to be alerted to sounds , smells , or tactile dangers .
The cognitive therapeutic work that we LCMHCs use to teach our clients how to reframe their beliefs can help them to recognize when the cue of danger is truly life-threatening versus when things are merely unfamiliar and frightening . Reframing can also help them to recognize when something is happening now versus in the past or the future , and when a danger is real or imagined ( worry ). A critical skill for our clients is learning to perceive their environment and thoughts with accuracy . This will typically require explicit instruction .
DEEP-DIVE BREAKOUT SESSION Working With ‘ Neurosensitives ’
Additionally , it is imperative that we also teach our clients the many techniques that will help to calm their body ( their nervous system ). In addition to changing thoughts , we can help them to identify those small things that can help to calm the nervous system and move it up the autonomic ladder ( see graphic on page 21 )— from dorsal ’ s shutdown / collapse or from sympathetic ’ s fight / flight — to ventral ’ s calm and connected . Moving up the autonomic ladder is all about practicing the “ next small thing .”
How to Help Clients Calm Their Nervous System ( Move Up the Ladder )
• Seeking “ Glimmers ”: Encourage your client to make a list of various things that bring a smile , happiness , or a calming sensation . A glimmer might be a pet , a loved one , a scene in nature , a place , an experience , a preferential item , etc . Encourage them to think of as many senses as possible when they are remembering that item — how it feels , smells , looks , sounds , tastes . Have them make a list of their “ glimmers ” that they can easily access when they are becoming triggered .
• Moving , Isometrically : In the trauma world , we learn that motion moves emotions . But sometimes your client can ’ t get up and walk around , or maybe you suggested exercising and that is not their “ thing .” Isometric movement can be beneficial at these times : Instruct your client to grasp their opposite forearm gently but firmly and gently pull outward ; or place the right palm against the inner left thigh and the left palm against the inner right thigh , and gently push the palms against the opposite thighs and thighs against the palms .
• Tapping / Havening : Move those emotions as you move the energy along the meridians by gently tapping specific parts of your body . You can teach the full EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique ) protocol , or teach clients the less conspicuous points , such as the side of their hand or the collarbone . These are effective points for moving the big feelings : fear , anger , grief . ( Read more about the EFT protocol at https :// bit . ly / 3PV8Ii6 .) If the client doesn ’ t like tapping , they can try havening : Have them gently stroke their upper arms or thighs downward , or even rub their palms together .
• Grounding : Place the feet firmly on the ground and teach clients to imagine that their legs are like the roots of the
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20 The Advocate Magazine 2023 , Issue # 2 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org