What is Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and how can we heal from it?
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a category of post-traumatic stress disorder with the addition of emotional dysregulation, negative self-beliefs, and interpersonal difficulties. CPTSD's symptoms can also include prolonged feelings of terror, worthlessness, helplessness, distortions in identity or sense of self, and hypervigilance.
Complex PTSD leaves us with a disorganised and dysregulated nervous system. We are likely to experience high degrees of overwhelm, where our cognitive function shuts down and we may struggle to complete everyday tasks or make even the simplest of decisions. But the impact of Complex PTSD on overall health extends far beyond psychological well-being. Research has shown that individuals with this condition are at increased risk for a variety of physical health problems, including auto-immune disease, chronic pain and sleep disorders.
CPTSD often originates in childhood from causes such as bullying, witnessing domestic violence, being sent to boarding school at a young age, or having a parent who is depressed and/or emotionally unavailable. It can also include a dynamic where you as the child were taking care of one of your parents either physically or emotionally.A coping mechanism, which helped us to survive, is dissociation. This numbing, or freeze response, means that the trapped emotions (our response to the trauma we experienced), are shut down, seemingly inaccessible; but can then pop up and floor us as everyday events trigger them.
Healing from CPTSD requires high levels of safety; (exactly what was lacking at the time), in the form of an empathetic adult, who responds to and validates our emotional responses and understands the coping mechanisms we developed. We will be exploring the landscape of CPTSD together in a small group. A significant aspect of this condition can be a sense of shame that leaves us isolated and struggling to reach out or to honour our needs. Working with others who share similar experiences and in a small group, we can foster the compassion for self and other that is needed to support one another on the journey of healing.
CPTSD is not one, but many events, repeated over time. Likewise the process of healing may require a number of visits, or stages, along the way. But with each step taken, we can experience more of our life force, more authenticity, and more love and care for both ourselves and those we choose to be in relationship with.
However we came into the world, whatever the wounding we received: at every moment we have the possibility to change our relationship to the past and, in doing so, to transform our future.
I am looking forward to sharing the transforming work of Family Constellations with you. Some of you have experienced it already and others are new to this work. Whatever you bring with you adds to the mix. We will be working in a small group with a maximum of five participants.
Early booking is advised.
Testimonials from previous Family Constellations workshops
“I was sceptical before coming and thought there is no chance it’s going to be as good as the Netflix drama (‘Another Self’)……. but it was even better!” Natasha, London
I'm grateful for your amazing intuition, deep understanding of trauma and ability to create a safe space." Viviana (online)
“Thank you for facilitating this amazing experience. I’m sure it will take time to process it all but I immediately feel lighter somehow, as if a heavy burden has begun lifting.” Miranda (online)
"I want to start by saying that in the years of counselling I have done to get to the root of my self-abandonment, self-sabotage, disconnection from my body and never feeling good enough, last Saturday was a real, true breakthrough for me. I felt different almost immediately. I left with hope that I have not had since a teen. I felt a love, and respect for my body. I have been looking after myself and nourishing myself in a new way." Tanya
“Great workshops to explore what is holding us back in life, and release ancestral trauma and energy. Julie is an amazing and loving facilitator.” Daniele (online)
Tickets & Donations
Please note that there is a nominal booking fee to cover costs (mainly hall hire).
You are invited to make a contribution for the work on the day and in cash to honour what you receive and to support this work being offered out to others.
