Abstract
"What is complex trauma? Part 2: Working with the body" by Michael Guilding
This paper follows directly from my previous article, ‘What is Complex Trauma?’ which outlined a theory of complex trauma as a chronic condition in which the biological fear system is unable to deactivate. This current paper is the first of several in which I reflect on the implications of this theory for clinical practice, starting with what it shows us about our need to work with the body. It looks at 1) bodily regulation as an enabler of therapeutic engagement, 2) releasing chronic physical tension and 3) encouraging the completion of the physical impulses of de-fence to trigger fear system deactivation, and 4) methods of increasing ventral vagal signal in order to strengthen the regulation of fear system responses.
"What is complex trauma?" by Michael Guilding Vol 2 Issue1
"What is complex trauma? Part 2: Working with the body" by Michael Guilding
This paper follows directly from my previous article, ‘What is Complex Trauma?’ which outlined a theory of complex trauma as a chronic condition in which the biological fear system is unable to deactivate. This current paper is the first of several in which I reflect on the implications of this theory for clinical practice, starting with what it shows us about our need to work with the body. It looks at 1) bodily regulation as an enabler of therapeutic engagement, 2) releasing chronic physical tension and 3) encouraging the completion of the physical impulses of de-fence to trigger fear system deactivation, and 4) methods of increasing ventral vagal signal in order to strengthen the regulation of fear system responses.