Today, we know so much more about trauma therapy and the proper way to provide it than we ever have before. For instance, it was once assumed that trauma victims would have the words they needed to explain the traumatic event they endured. They simply lacked the chance to express them. But research shown us this is not the case at all.
In her book, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, Janina Fisher describes how traumatic memories can lead to a state of “speechless terror” and having experiences for which there are no words. Trauma memory is very real, but the right therapist can help a victim make the transition into trauma logic, which is a sign that healing is taking place.
What is Trauma Memory?
Trauma memory occurs when the prefontal cortex of the brain cuts the victim off from being able to express events into words. They essentially have no access to language in that moment, which means that they cannot verbally express what they have experienced. This has been proven in brain scan studies by some of the top researchers in the field of trauma therapy.
Once the event is over, trauma victims have a difficult time putting into words what happened. They are usually able to express how what happened made them feel, but the actual events are lost.
Trauma memory can be frustrating for victims because they either cannot remember anything of the event at all, or they only remember fragments of it, which may not even feel real to them. All they really know is that they feel crazy or damaged because of the emotions that attempting to remember evoke in them.
What is Trauma Logic?
It is the therapist’s job to move the victim from a state of trauma memory to trauma logic. In a sense, it is a method of reframing the person’s emotional responses to the event and putting together exactly what happened for them. This method of therapy gives meaning to what the trauma victim is feeling, and it can help them understand their triggers, defenses and actions.
Janina Fisher shares a story about a 70-year-old woman who appeared to have been traumatized in order to illustrate this transition. The woman grew up in an abusive home and when she was a young adult, she became a pediatrician who helped children all over the world. When her work was done and she returned home, she was alone in her house all day long. Suddenly, she began feeling afraid, lonely and useless. But she had no idea why and she could not make the feelings stop.
Janina was able to tell the woman her story and explained that the woman had been traumatized years ago, but that those feelings were ignored up until recently. The part of the woman that was scared was actually the child within her who never felt safe.
With some help, the woman was able to converse with the child within her Self and give her reassurance. It was the first step in her healing process.
The right therapist can help you reframe your feelings, understand them, and move from a place of trauma memory to trauma logic. I can help you. Please contact me today for an appointment.
