Bodies, Brains, Touch, and Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk’s seminal work on trauma, “The Body Keeps the Score”, was the source of our reading pod discussion this week. Specifically, we read chapter 13, titled “Healing from Trauma: Owning Your Self”. Our group, who this term is reading Central and South American Liberation Theology along with van der Kolk’s work, found plenty to discuss in this chapter. (Admittedly, we were hard pressed to find connections between our theological emphasis this term and van der Kolk’s chapter. Maybe next time?)
Of particular interest to us was van der Kolk’s discussion of how touch and body-based therapies seem to serve trauma survivors in the process of healing. Van der Kolk asserts that he believes all trauma patients should engage in some sort of practice that involves touch (i.e. massage, craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais). These therapeutic techniques are collectively referred to as bodywork, and can help trauma survivors to begin opening themselves to releasing physical tension, leading to a release of emotion. Body-based therapies such as sensorimotor therapy and somatic experiencing are highlighted by van der Kolk as serving to help patients understand the “location and shape of the imprints of past trauma on the body”.
Our group seemed to be captivated by the promise of these therapies, and we discussed how we might begin to learn more. I mentioned an approach I had familiarity with: CIMBS, Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems. I have a friend (and TSS alum) who has been trained in the approach, and my own therapist has been trained in CIMBS techniques. (She uses a refrain of “Good noticing!” on me, and although at first I found it a little funny, now I hear it in my head when I’m paying attention to my body in the midst of stress, shame, or anxiety.)
The CIMBS approach, as I have experienced it, seeks to connect what is happening with the body and bring it to conscious attention. CIMBS focuses on six main “brain systems”: the Core Consciousness, Motivational, Relational, Belonging, Physical Safety, and Emotion/Somatic Self Awareness Brain Systems, and seeks to help patients to differentiate and integrate them. Therapists practicing CIMBS pay close attention to body-based signs that point to unconscious activity in the various brain systems. The therapeutic connection and relationship is deepened in the process.
If this type of work interests you, as it has our group, you can find more information here: http://www.complexintegrationmbs.com/. And lucky for us here in Seattle, there are multiple weekend trainings available in our area. One of the most appealing things for me about the prospect of working in the field of counseling is that I will continually be learning new things; from my clients, from continuing education, and from my peers. Having multiple approaches at the ready will only help as we work with trauma survivors; as van der Kolk says, “There is no one ‘treatment of choice’ for trauma, and any therapist who believes that his or her particular method is the only answer to your problems is suspect of being an ideologue rather than somebody who is interested in making sure that you get well.” I pray that we will constantly be looking for wellness and freedom for those we encounter, and for ourselves.
