TRAUMATISED
We are very glad to have Betsy De Thierry joining us for this blog post. Betsy is the founder and Chair of the Trustees of the Trauma Recovery Centres in Bath, Guernsey and Oxford. The TRC was founded in 2011 and grew out of a dream of a building dedicated to helping families who had no one to support them in the aftermath of a traumatic experience. We are very grateful to Betsy for sharing her wisdom and experience on trauma recovery with us.
In my work as a trauma therapist I have seen people’s lives being transformed from the impact of trauma causing pain and turmoil, to a sense of recovery. I believe recovery from trauma is possible.
Betsy De Thierry
Did you know that 1 in 3 diagnosed mental health conditions in adulthood are known to directly relate to adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma? We know that 50% mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% are established by age 24, so it’s worth understanding the impact of trauma so we can be skilled in facilitating recovery in society.
How does trauma impact us?
‘trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering’. Levine & Kline, 2007
Trauma could be defined as an event or repeated experience where the person felt terrified and powerless to defend themselves and were unable to process or make sense of the experience with a non-judgemental, listening adult who offered consistent comfort and reassurance.
There are many reasons why someone may not have had an adult to help them in the midst of a traumatic experience or a traumatic life; the adults around them may have been terrified too, perhaps only just managing to cope themselves, or they were consumed with their own challenges. This is not about shaming or blaming towards those who weren’t emotionally available to help, but it is essential to recognise that the impact of trauma can be reduced when adults are able to offer skilled support in traumatic times.
What can unprocessed childhood trauma lead to?
Adult mental health difficulties, drug use, school failure, anti-social behaviour, neuropsychiatric problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), behaviour challenges, dissociative disorders, possible medical challenges such as asthma and heart disease (Perry & Szalavitz, 2011)
When trauma is processed as a child, the impact is minimised if not altogether transformed into greater resilience, thus changing the trajectory of a child’s life. Although it can take a little longer, trauma can be processed as an adult too, but it requires a caring community and preferably a trauma psychotherapist to guide the recovery process. Our charity, the Trauma Recovery Centre has seen many many children come through it’s doors to begin a journey of healing and recovery and here is one of their stories:
Coming to the TRC
‘When I first came to the TRC I was having quite a lot of melt downs. My sister was really really annoying. School was hard and I was usually outside the classroom doing other stuff to the others. I used to need to have people with me to go to the loo. I didn’t have many friends and I found life made me really angry.
I came for about 2 years and now things are different. At school I am mentoring other children who find things hard. I do still zone out at times and I can still get cross but its much better because I know what to do to get calm again. I choose to draw or read stories. I know how to relax more and I’m not so stressy.
Now I have been feeling so much happier. I have amazing friends and now I can stay and learn in the classroom with the others. I don’t get so angry and I even get on better with my sister.’
TRC user Aged 10
Trauma Informed Thinking
The Trauma Informed movement has gathered pace in the last decade in the UK. Here are some facets of trauma informed thinking:
Relationship
When trauma has taken place in relationships (this may be when relationships haven’t quite been able to meet all the needs of the child or when relationships have caused harm overtly), then recovery needs to happen within relationships too. Relationships that are kind, nurturing, empathetic and compassionate can facilitate healing for both children, young people and adults who have experienced trauma in the past. It’s important to mention that those caring for traumatised people may also experience secondary trauma from behaviour they are exposed to, and they may need support too.
Understanding
Another facet of trauma informed thinking is the understanding that all behaviour communicates something and that underlying fear is the cause of the majority of disruptive or concerning behaviour. A basic understanding of the neuroscience of the psychological response to terror and fear can enable empathy from others rather than frustration, anger or authoritarian approaches. This empathy facilitates the nurturing responses that traumatised individuals need to help them become calm, feel safe and eventually process fear and trauma. The trauma informed movement understands that relationship can be more powerful than medicine (although medicine can be helpful at times), and when people are listened to, understood and validated, it enables vital emotional connection and belonging to take place; then shame is reduced, growth is enabled and healthy communities develop.
Community
People need to find a healthy, inter-generational community of people who share values of kindness, caring for each other and loving others. I would argue that the church is the ideal place for people to experience a community that cares, which can help with recovery from trauma. If the culture of the church is trauma informed, recognises the impact of trauma and desires to facilitate honest and kind relationships, then there will be good foundations to build on. As church we have a great opportunity to show love and facilitate healing for traumatised people.
Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another, by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13: 34-35.
We are all on a journey of learning to love others and none of us have arrived yet! The bible teaches us that a healthy community is built with people who care for each other.
‘Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves’. Romans 12:10
a prophecy
“ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.” Isaiah 61
In the fourth chapter of the gospel of Luke Jesus quotes this beautiful prophecy from the book of Isaiah, saying that he had come to ‘heal the heartbroken, and comfort all who mourn’. One version of the prophecy translates the words as saying “I will give them “bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a heavy spirit!” I believe that Jesus wants the church community to bring this healing to all, as we work alongside professionals who are trained to facilitate trauma recovery and help one another to find healing in prayer and the presence of God.
Contributor: Betsy de Thierry
MA Psychotherapy and Counselling; B.Ed (Hons) Early Years. Post Grad Play Therapy Diploma.
My trauma recovery resources :
Trauma Recovery Centre: www.trc-uk.org
www.betsytraininguk.co.uk for training and other free resources.
https://www.traumainformedchurches.org/
Betsy de Thierry on Youtube
Betsydet on twitter
Betsy de Thierry: Author, Trainer, Trauma Recovery Specialist on Facebook
Books by Betsy de Thierry on trauma:
Teaching The Child on the Trauma Continuum. 2015
The Simple Guide To Child Trauma 2016
The Simple Guide to Sensitive Boys 2017
The Simple Guide to Understanding Shame in Children 2018
The Simple Guide to Attachment Difficulties 2019
The Simple Guide to Complex Trauma and Dissociation 2020
The Simple Guide to Collective Trauma (2021)