Ask the client, “Are you okay with trying to release that trauma today?” Consent is very important. Not everyone is ready for this or comfortable in the moment.
Through conversation, have the client paint a small picture of the trauma. Do not let them tell you the entire story, but rather stop them, let them know about the procedure, and continue.
Explain to them that they will first come up with a safe place to unburden the trauma. This safe place is where the trauma will be released, and they can use any element, such as air, water, fire, earth, wood, etc. or any tool to help release the trauma. The safe place should be full of positive energy and will even recycle the negative energies. Once they established a safe place, we conduct a body scan.
As soon as the body is present and no longer dissociated, we look at the trauma. The way we talk about the trauma and release it is like a film that has one picture at a time. The client starts off with the moment before the trauma, and one by one, they release one episode at a time until there is a resolution to the trauma.
When you begin the scene, ask the client where in their body they feel the stress and what emotions they feel. It is not about thinking but rather about feeling. You may have to bring other people into the session and dialogue with them about unfinished business. The client may want to see his or her life in the future without holding onto the old trauma memories.
Client comes up with a safe place to unburden and release their trauma. Client should use as many descriptions as possible to describe the safe place. Questions to ask:
Do a body scan with the client. “Notice your body on the table.
Breathe in to the count of 4, hold your breath in to the count of 4. Breath out to the count of 6.” Do these three to five times.
Where were you right before your experience?
When did you notice that there is a problem?
“STOP”
Where in your body do you feel this?
What is the emotional feeling that you felt when this happened?
Send the feeling from your body and the emotional feeling to your safe place–describe the safe place again.
Good, now what happened next?
If the client says that they cannot send the feelings to a safe place then tell them to imagine a pie of pizza that has many slices. Take one bite out of the slice. Now, can you release one piece of the trauma and send it to the safe place?
Keep going through the scenes of the trauma until the client reaches a point of closure or safety. (i.e. I was lost and then my mother came and brought me home….)
