The Healing of Healers
Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious
traumatization
Stress and Trauma are a significant
health problem in the US.
 Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's
experiences, overwhelming events – Paul Boyle, Director
of Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobi
 If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all
attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at
large.
 Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing
with the source
 We must do both
The first five years after Post
Conflict – war in Iraq, Afghanistan
 If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma
must be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehow
 The displacement will go back to the culture
 Spouse
 Child
 Addictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicide
Healing Process
How do we heal the effects
of stress and trauma?
Name It
Claim It
Tame It
 If you don’t deal with trauma …
trauma will deal with you.
 If you don’t manage it …
it will manage you.
 If you don’t control it …
it will control you
 If you don’t sort it out …
it will sort you out
Trauma doesn’t go away like
stress
 It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our
minds, bodies and souls.
 It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships.
 Often in the place that wants to be gratified which
promotes self medication and in turn addictions
 All human beings seek happiness however when
stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only
pleasure that does not fulfil.
There is always a trigger
 Something that will evoke a memory
 Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people,
flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
 The memory remains stored in the brain and comes
alive as if it is happening all over again and again.
Indicators of Stress & Trauma
Stress
Trauma
Severe Trauma
Anger
Sadness
Fear
Distrust
Controlled
Helpless
Rage
Depression
Terror
Paranoia
Manipulated
Hopeless
Homicide
Suicide
Genocide
Serious Mental Illness
Abused
Useless
One traumatized person can
traumatize 100 people
 Stress is momentary, whereas Trauma
 Is a way of life
 Alters the Ego
 Causes a Negative Life change
 Can create permanent emotional, physical and
mental disability.
 Can Lead to PTSD
Two Emergency Responses to Trauma
 Hyper-Arousal = Fight or Flight
 Dissociation = Freeze
Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight
 Fear – Terror
 Adrenal System increases
 Heart/Blood pressure system increase
 Serotonin decreases
 Cognitive Process hyper
 Respiration increases
 Adult male response – aggression
 Potential homicide
Dissociation/Freeze
 Defeat – surrender
 Numbing – dissociation
 Freezing feelings – Compliant
 Fainting
 Heart Rate decreases
 Sensory alterations
 Muscles go numb
 Passive
 Potential suicide
Possible Responses
Healing
Denial
 Trauma remains
unconscious and is subject
to triggers where the
trauma is stored – the place
where the brain wants
stimulations
 Drugs, Sex, Violence
 Reward > addictions
 Begins by reflecting on the
symptoms and the traumatic
event
 A supportive environment that
takes serious the reality of
trauma
 Prayer
 Processing
 Forgiving the past
Process of Trauma (PTSD)
35% of symptoms on regular basis
indicates presence of Trauma
 Shock
 Easily startled
 Numbness
 Low energy/depressing
 Denial/Disconnected
 Constantly busy
 Reoccurring anxiety
 Memory Problems
 Nightmares
 Overly Alert/Agitated
 Changes in appetite
 Unable to focus
 Trouble sleeping
 Resentful
 Shame/Guilt
 Difficulty making decisions
 Being on edge
 Spontaneous crying
 Despair/Hopeless
 Over-protective of loved ones
Healing Process
How do we heal the effects
of stress and trauma?
Name It
Claim It
Tame It
Recommendation
 Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who
are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5
day workshop
 The affected and those infected by stress and trauma
get one on one support to overcome and process the
symptoms of the stress or trauma
 Contact: p.boyle@usa.net
 www.holistictraumahealing.org