Post trauma growth and strengthening is a key part of the healing process. With the rise of EMDR as a trauma processing tool, many now believe the only way to heal is to go back. And that is often very necessary. But to what depth do you go back and how challenging does it need to be?
In my experience of being alongside many people’s healing processes, strengthening of our mind and body in a positive growth direction is so very important. For when your nervous system experiences regulation (sometimes for the first time) and your mind gains an understanding of how and why you have been impacted in the way you have, then the journey of “unhooking the trailer” (as one of you says) changes.
Each person’s story, capacities and systems are different and that is why we tailor our approach depending on your needs. Some need to build their scaffolding, some need to repair specific wounds and some need to reframe old beliefs. You can often get stuck in your head and your body can hold the tension, fear or barriers.
When your Window of Tolerance is open you can navigate so much more and even the most difficult of experiences may be seen through a new lens. Allow yourself to experience glimpses, windows and days of a regulated system before diving back into your deepest wounds. As one of my insightful mentors once said to me, “you take you everywhere”, so time exploring self trust, compassion and belief is a step in the right direction.