"As a trauma-trained teacher and therapist I honor you and your body as your greatest source of wisdom and healing. I believe there is a deep wisdom in trauma and by paying attention and listening to our body's messages, our bodies will show us the path to healing. I encourage you to be curious, and let your experience be yours - I am not here to judge or mark you...you are always the expert in you!"
Trauma-informed mindfulness is a specialised approach to mindfulness practice that is designed to be gentle, compassionate, and nurturing for individuals who have experienced trauma. As David Treleaven, a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher and trainer, notes, "Anywhere mindfulness is being practiced, someone in the room will likely be struggling with trauma." This means that it is essential for mindfulness teachers and practitioners to be informed and sensitive to the ways that trauma can affect the mind, body, and nervous system, and to adapt mindfulness practices accordingly.
I am passionate about creating a space where individuals who have experienced trauma can feel safe, supported, and empowered to take control of their own healing journey. I truly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to cultivate a deeper sense of calm, clarity, and connection, no matter what they may have experienced in the past. As a teacher of group programmes and classes, I often don't know if someone in the group may have experienced trauma, and so I approach every session with a sensitivity to this and a commitment to ensuring safety and accessibility to all.
The trauma-informed mindfulness principles which guide my teaching and practice:
Safety: Trauma occurs due to a lack of the felt sense of safety, and so it is my priority to ensure you feel safe practicing mindfulness with me. Mindfulness can be triggering to someone who has experienced trauma - a good example is being told to lie still in the body scan meditation. If someone has had a past experience of feeling trapped, helpless or unable to move, this could be re-traumatising. I am committed to creating a sense of safety through choice and empowerment (e.g. I will always say 'you do not need to stay still in this practice - you may move your body at any point) to ensure practices are not triggering. This also means creating a space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported, and where they know that they will not be judged or shamed for their experiences by myself or other participants in the group.
Empowerment though choice + Agency: One of the most important adaptations in trauma-informed mindfulness is the emphasis on choice and agency. Trauma by its very nature takes away our choice; so encouraging choice and agency empowers you to take control of your own healing process by supporting a sense of safety and trust. In my practice, everything is an invitation, rather than a mandate. I always encourage individuals to participate at their own pace, and I never force anyone to sit completely still or focus on the breath if it could be triggering.
Resourcing: I am passionate about helping people discover their recources for healing and growth. By developing a mindful awareness of thoughts, emotions, and sensations, trauma survivors can learn to regulate their nervous system, develop a greater sense of self-awareness and build a toolbox of practices for greater resilience. Prior to exploring any challenging thoughts, feelings and emotions I will always invite you to find a 'resource' inside your body - this is a place in your body where you feel safety, comfort, or even just OK. Once your resource is established you will always have a safe place to return to any time you need to. I encourage you to stay within your window of tolerance (feeling safe and comfortable), by returning to your resource at any time - this technique is called 'pendulation' and provides a safety net to ensure mindfulness is not re-traumatising for you.
Grounding: One way that I create a safe space is by providing grounding exercises that can help you feel more present and connected to your environment. These might include simple movements, such as stretching or gentle yoga poses, or sensory exercises, such as focusing on the sensations of touch, smell, or taste. By learning simple tools to help you feel more grounded and centered, these practices can support a sense of safety and resilience.
You and your body are the greatest source of wisdom and healing: As a trauma-trained teacher and therapist I honor you and your body as your greatest source of wisdom and healing. I believe there is a deep wisdom in trauma and by paying attention and listening to our body's messages, our bodies will show us the path to healing. I encourage you to be curious, and let your experience be yours - I am not here to judge or mark you...you are always the expert in you! I am here to hold you as your guide and supportive witness, but you are ultimately your healer.
Is trauma-informed mindfulness useful for someone with a diagnosis of C-PTSD or PTSD?
According to Judith Herman's three stages of trauma recovery, the first stage is safety and stability, which involves establishing a sense of safety and security in one's environment, relationships, and body. Mindfulness can be a helpful tool in this stage by helping trauma survivors regulate their nervous system, develop a sense of safety, + gently explore becoming more present and aware of their internal experiences, such as bodily sensations and emotions. These are all essential for moving towards the next stages of healing and recovery.
Working with a trauma informed mindfulness teacher on a 1-2-1 basis is highly recommended if you have a diagnosis of PTSD or C-PTSD to help you build trust, develop a sense of empowerment, and cultivate mindfulness practices that support your nervous system regulation, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. Working with a teacher who is sensitive to the effects of trauma on the mind & body as well as adept at regulating their own nervous system so that they can provide a safe container for your healing is essential.
Trauma-informed mindfulness with Claire
Trauma-informed mindfulness is about creating a space where individuals feel safe, supported, and empowered to take control of their own healing journey. By adapting mindfulness practices to be more trauma-sensitive, we can make mindfulness more accessible and help trauma survivors cultivate the sense of safety and stability they need to support them in moving towards a more joyful and fulfilling life. So, let's commit to practicing mindfulness in a way that is safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. I am here to support you on your journey towards healing, and I invite you to join me on this path towards greater well-being and resilience.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in trauma-informed mindfulness to help with your own healing journey, please book a free 20 minute consulation with me. I offer Mindfulness Based Therapy both in-person in Salisbury city centre and also online via zoom (click to find out more) and will be delighted to hear from you to help you tune in to the miraculous healing potential within your own body.
References and resources:
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. By Judith Hermann
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing. By David Treleaven
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