Areas of Expertise

How We Can Help

Trauma

When things happen to us in our lives that are so scary, confusing, or dangerous, our brain creates a “file” in our memory that says – hey you, if anything that even resembles this happens again, go into THREAT mode. For each of us, our threat response varies, but what is constant is that our brains and bodies take over our system to help us survive from the threat. The automatic process of the brain and body is a survival mechanism to keep you safe from danger that still feels imminent (unconsciously). Trauma and trauma triggers happen because of this inherently human feedback loop. Our responses to trauma often leave us feeling, out of control, stuck or shameful - usually because we have misplaced responsibility onto ourselves, have limited emotional understanding of how or why this has happened to us, or we have developed negative beliefs about ourselves because of others harm to us. One job of healing requires us to reflect deeply into the past and help the mind-body see that you made it through, and that the trauma is no longer happening; or, if it is, that we have more choices in the chaos than we can see.

This is where EMDR, Brainspotting, Cognitive Approaches, Somatic Experiencing and other brain-body based approaches to healing lead the way. These approaches will help you to holistically reexamine, re-write and update your brain and nervous system so that you can respond to what is true and real in your life today rather than reacting from difficult traumatic triggers/patterns from your past.

How do we define trauma?

Little T: Life changes, losses and traumas that were out of your control, including accidents, job loss, divorce, grief loss, etc. Even though the trauma is behind you, your brain and body has not been able to metabolize the feelings and memories enough to making meaning and move on from the experience. In turn, this affects our ability to be clear headed, emotionally calm and at ease, productive at work, learn at school, feel safe in relationships, sleep or simply to feel joy, etc. In short, we simply cannot live our lives as we did before the experience. Therapy rooted in trauma-centered approaches can help you process the experience and heal.

Big T: 

Complex T: Long enduring traumas that were experienced over a life span and shaped how we came to know ourselves; including, foster care/adoption, childhood attachment wounding from a caregiver, caregiver emotional unavailability, familial addiction, racial discrimination, social and academic trauma related to neurodiversity and marginalization. The research is clear, complex trauma creates difficulties with establishing healthy relationships, self-confidence, including self-worth deficits, difficulties with relational boundaries, physical health deficits, learning, sleep, addiction, trusting others, and much more.

Each of us have accumulated trauma in our lives and once treated, can free us emotionally, physically and relationally. Reach out to start your healing journey today.

Stress

Stress is something that we all live with and is tolerable in small to medium doses. Stress in large amounts (especially daily) can wreak havoc in our lives, relationships and on our bodies. It can change our thoughts - which it turn changes our feelings - which in turn changes our nervous system responses. An overly active and alert nervous system sets the tone for our internal experiences, including our sleep, self-talk, mood and motivation. And, it hurts our overall physical health. Simply put, high amounts of stress can become a chronic emotional and physical problem until addressed.

Stress Management is essential to overall health. We have listed a few ideas for working with your stress levels at home. If more is needed, we are here to assist you on your stress management journey.

Stress Management/Stress Coping is an active process. A Staged Approach.

1. The first step is understanding what stress is and how your body adapts to it. Read the following link or any definitions from Daniel Siegal vast field of neurobiology work.

2. Work to uncover the areas of stress that cause the most “suffering” in your life. Note: Not all stress is bad, some gives us excitement, joy and motivation in our lives, while other stressors create panic and anxiety. We must become familiar with the types and amounts of stress in our own lives.

3. Categorize and number your “Stress Buckets.” Once you have a clear picture of what stress buckets you have, then categorize those that you can let go of versus ones that you have no choice but to cope with.

4. Explore coping strategies that help you release stress-energy every day. This can include physical movement, singing, talking to a friend, screaming into a pillow, art, crying, journaling - to name a few. The truth is stress release is different for all of us. Find 3 things that give you a release, make a list, keep it handy and visit it often.

5. Stress Recording: Write down the changes that you notice in your life after you have started using your stress release list. Note any mental, physical, emotional or relational changes in your life. Are you calmer, more productive, rested and regulated when doing Stress Management actively? We know from vast experience, yes you are.

Anxiety/Depression:

Attachment/Relational Healing:

At Rootworks Wellness we recognize the toll that mental and emotional suffering can have in our lives. We utilize evidenced-based clinical approaches to help every client learn to understand their stress and triggers, relate to it in different and evolving ways, manage it and release it as our work together intensifies. We have helped many clients reclaim their own sense of balance and are here for you should our approaches feel right for you. To learn more, please feel free to contact our team at Contact Page.

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