The impact of trauma and chronic stress on the body
Clinical psychologist Heleen Loubser explains how trauma and chronic stress affect the body, contributing not only to emotional problems but also to physical health conditions. She discusses the fight/flight/freeze response, what happens when a survival response cannot be completed, and which symptoms may follow. Heleen shows how these adverse effects can be addressed by means of body-based therapies such as SE, TRE, EMDR, EMI, BWRT and hypnotherapy.
Sensitive content: rape is mentioned, but not discussed.
Heleen Loubser
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In ep. 38 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Heleen clarifies
the two main types of stress
the route trauma follows from our senses to different parts of the brain, and why it can trigger a “false alarm”, including flashbacks
how the fight/flight response speeds up certain reactions in the body, e.g. breathing
how the freeze response slows down certain reactions in the body, e.g. blood pressure
what happens when a fight/flight or freeze response cannot be completed and the traumatic energy gets trapped in the body
symptoms which can arise when the sympathetic nervous system gets “stuck”, such as an exaggerated startle response, increased abdominal fat or a lowered immune response
symptoms which can arise when the parasympathetic nervous system gets “stuck”, such as chronic fatigue and depression
how the fight/flight/freeze response can lead to muscle contraction and cause inflammation and chronic pain, e.g. neck, shoulder or back pain
how pain can create more pain
therapies that can help the body process trauma, including Somatic Experiencing, Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, Eye Movement Integration, BrainWorking Recursive Therapy and hypnotherapy
how Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) work
a case study showing how SE and TRE can be used as part of a holistic approach
Heleen’s 3 best tips on travelling.
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Books recommended by Heleen:
In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness by Dr. Peter H. Levine
Shake it off naturally: Reduce stress, anxiety and tension with TRE by Dr. David Berceli
The body bears the burden: Trauma, dissociation, and disease by Dr. Robert C. Scaer
The divided mind: The epidemic of mindbody disorders by Dr. John E. Sarno (Heleen mentions this writer in the podcast episode)
The great pain deception: Faulty medical advice is making us worse by Steven Ray Ozanich
Waking the tiger: Healing trauma by Peter A. Levine with Ann Frederick
Heleen in her consulting rooms
Contact details
Heleen Loubser is a clinical psychologist from Durbanville, Cape Town, who has been in private practice for more than 25 years. She uses an integrative approach, focusing on the conscious mind, subconscious mind, and the body. Heleen offers training in TRE.
Telephone number: 021 975 6363/4
Email address: hcloubser@mweb.co.za
Website: www.heleenloubser.co.za
Listen to clinical psychologist Rafiq Lockhat’s introduction to what BrainWorking® Recursive Theraphy is and what it can do.
Lees hier hoe TRE jou help om trauma letterlik af te skud.
The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Player FM and Iono.fm.
Podcast music by Mart-Marie Snyman.
Image: Pexels. Model used.
Photograph of Heleen Loubser: supplied.