AUTHOR OF MY BLISS BOOK & THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA

Lara Land New Logo 2022

AUTHOR OF MY BLISS BOOK &
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA

Lara Land New Logo 2022
Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care

by | Apr 9, 2023 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, LARA LAND, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

As a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of trauma on individuals and communities.

Trauma can arise from a wide range of experiences, including abuse, neglect, violence, accidents, natural disasters, and more. For people in the healing professions, including healthcare providers, therapists, counselors, and social workers, it is essential to have a deep understanding of trauma and its effects on patients and clients.

Trauma-sensitive care is an approach that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma and seeks to create an environment that promotes healing and safety. Trauma-sensitive care is not just about being aware of trauma; it also involves providing care that is supportive, compassionate, and respectful of the patient’s experiences and needs.

Here are some reasons why folks in the healing professions should have trauma sensitivity training:

  1. Trauma is common: According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime. For people in the healing professions, it is likely that many of their patients or clients have experienced trauma. By having trauma sensitivity training, professionals can better understand the impact of trauma on patients and provide appropriate care.
  2. Trauma can impact physical and mental health: Trauma can have significant impacts on physical and mental health. It can increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Trauma can also lead to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By understanding the impact of trauma on health, healthcare providers can better support patients and provide appropriate care.
  3. Trauma can impact trust: Patients who have experienced trauma may have difficulty trusting healthcare providers. They may feel anxious or fearful about medical procedures or may avoid seeking medical care altogether. By having trauma sensitivity training, healthcare providers can create a safe and supportive environment that helps patients feel more comfortable and trusting.
  4. Trauma sensitivity training can improve patient outcomes: Research shows that trauma-sensitive care can improve patient outcomes. Patients who receive trauma-sensitive care are more likely to stay engaged in treatment, have better physical and mental health outcomes, and report feeling more satisfied with their care.

There are other reasons as well…

  1. Trauma is pervasive: Trauma is a common experience for many people, and it can have a significant impact on their mental health. Mental health professionals need to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, and understand how to provide appropriate treatment.
  2. Trauma can be complex: Trauma is not always straightforward, and it can manifest in a variety of ways. Trauma sensitivity training can help mental health professionals to develop a nuanced understanding of trauma, and to be better equipped to help their clients.
  3. Trauma can be retraumatizing: Mental health professionals who are not trained in trauma sensitivity may inadvertently retraumatize their clients by using language or techniques that are insensitive to their experiences. Trauma sensitivity training can help professionals to avoid this.
  4. Trauma sensitivity is ethical: Providing trauma-informed care is not only beneficial to clients, but it is also an ethical imperative for mental health professionals. Trauma sensitivity training can help professionals to uphold the highest ethical standards in their work.
  5. Trauma sensitivity is effective: Research has shown that trauma-informed care can be more effective than traditional approaches for clients who have experienced trauma. By seeking trauma sensitivity training, mental health professionals can improve their ability to help clients heal and recover.

In conclusion, having trauma sensitivity training is essential for folks in the healing professions. It helps healthcare providers understand the impact of trauma on patients, provides appropriate care, creates a safe and supportive environment, and improves patient outcomes. 

For these reasons and more, I am focusing my Montclair AND Kripalu trauma-informed training on folks in the healing professions including mental health professionals, therapists, psychologists, and others. It is urgent that we are able to heal our own trauma and avoid retraumatizing ourselves and those we seek to help. Learn more about these and my other trainings HERE.

Trauma Sensitive Jiu-Jitsu

Trauma Sensitive Jiu-Jitsu

by | Mar 6, 2023 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, LARA LAND, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

I’ve been leading trainings in trauma-sensitive yoga since 2014 and one thing which I’ve noticed as my content has evolved is how applicable the information is to any field. It has gotten me to believe that all professions, practices, and sports should have trauma sensitivity training for their leadership. It has been gratifying to see that I’m not the only one who has thought this way. Dr. Jamie Marich, the clinical trauma specialist who wrote Transforming Trauma with Jiu Jitsu had this same idea when she wrote that book and continues to feel so.

We speak, in the latest episode of Beyond Trauma, about the need for trauma-sensitivity training in all fields and specifically how the combination of trauma-sensitivity and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu martial art mesh so exceptionally to help trauma survivors. 

Many of the aspects of Jiu-Jitsu are similar to those of yoga. Depending on the instructor, there can be a strong focus on breathwork in Jiu-Jitsu just like in yoga. This concentration on the precious link between our inner and outer worlds can be both triggering and healing and which way that goes largely depends on whether the Jiu-Jitsu or yoga teacher has trauma sensitivity training. 

Similar to yoga, in Jiu-Jitsu, we work with the mind and the body. In each moment there are a variety of choices and positions the practitioner could bring the body into. The act of making a choice can be both empowering and terrifying for a trauma survivor. These different shapes may bring up memories and emotions. In a safe environment, meaning one in which the practitioner feels able to take breaks, make adjustments, and share their experience without it being judged or doubted, both yoga and Jiu-Jitsu present the opportunity for a survivor to be with difficult sensations in a healthy and potentially healing way.

The main difference between the two practices is the closeness with which one works with a partner in Jiu-Jitsu. With the exception of specific yoga styles such as Partner Yoga or Acro Yoga, yoga is usually more of a solitary practice within a group setting. The partner activities central to Jiu-Jitsu make it all the more potentially triggering and sensitive for trauma survivors. This component also provides a place for growth and healing as a survivor gets comfortable letting someone get physically close to them. 

Working in partnership, Jiu-Jitsu practitioners learn that size is not the determining factor in overwhelming one’s component. This is a powerful teaching, especially for trauma survivors who may have experienced helplessness. Learning to defend oneself and feeling confident in one’s ability to do so regardless of an opponent’s size is something that is hardly describable if you’ve been overpowered and why we believe this practice of Jiu-Jitsu so essential. 

Take a listen to this special episode on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts and let me know what you think in your reviews and comments!Â