ACIM Conference “The Healing

Consciousness”June 20-21, 2014

Lin Morel, MA, DSSwww.linmorel.com

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of

disease or infirmity.”

World Health Organization, unchanged since 1948

Trauma• “Direct personal experience of an event

that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury or other threat to one’s physical integrity; or

• a threat to the physical integrity of another person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm or threat of death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate.” From DSM IV TR

“Brain, body and mind are inextricably linked.

Alterations to one of these three will

intimately affect the other two.”

Van der Kolk, B. (1996) The body keeps the score: Approaches to the Psychobiology of PTSD. B van der Kolk, AC McFarlane, and L. Weisaeth, Eds. New York City: Guilford Press

Psychoneuroimmunology

“An individual’s body expresses what cannot be said

or verbalized. And so, traumatic memories are often

transformed into physical outcomes.”

Van der Kolb, B.A. (1996b) In Traumatic Stress: The effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body and

Society. B. van der Kolb, AC McFarlane, and L. Weisaeth, Eds. New York City: Guilford Press

Violence as a Public Epidemic

• The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study studied the relationship between traumatic stress and the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and disability in the U.S.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

• Affect health and behavior of adults - increase conventional risk factors such as smoking, excessive drinking, overeating and engaging in risky sex – behaviors that are often used to cope with the pain of the trauma.

• Childhood trauma affects the developing brain and body and causes deregulation of the stress response. Biomedical, behavioral and neuroscience research is now confirming these effects.

8 ACE Trauma Categories

PhysicalEmotional

Sexual abuseViolence

Mental IllnessSubstance abuse

Parental separationIncarceration of a household member

For further information on ACE study, see Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F et al (1998) The relationship of adult health status to childhood abuse and household dysfunction.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14, 245- 258.

Physical / Behavioral Responses to Trauma

Disturbed sleepLack of appetite

Fatigue, inability to restAngry outburstsAches and pains

Nausea, upset stomachChanges in interactions

More frequent illLoss of humor

Fainting, dizziness

Emotional Impact of Trauma

Fear, anxiety, apprehensionGrief, hopelessness

Guilt, shame, mood swingsLack of clarity, Difficulty trusting

Hyper-vigilanceFeeling isolated, difficulty trusting

Increased need for control

Emotional Impact, Con’d.

• Feelings of powerlessness

• Exaggerated startle response

• Re-experiencing of the trauma

• Diminished interest in activities

• Intensified or inappropriate emotions

• Emotional detachment Text

A trauma informed approach views these emotions as normal responses to an abnormal situation.

Cognitive Responses to StressDenial, rationalization, minimization

Confusion, poor attention spanIntrusive thoughts, distressing

dreamsLack of trust, suspiciousnessDisorientation, difficulty with

detailsMental rigidity, memory

problems,impaired problem solving,

nightmares, flashbacks, poor math ability, blaming others

Other Challenges

• Eating Problems

• Substance Abuse

• Problems in Relationships

• Undiagnosed physical problems

• Self-harm

• Sexual difficulties

Body-Mind Interactions

• 2000+ peer-reviewed studies conducted in the last 25 years on body-mind

• Measurable relationships between stressful life events and illness shown

• Placebo improvement indicates expectation/beliefs affect physiological response.

• Spectral analysis & EEG mapping of relaxation response demonstrate that changing mental activity can change CNS activity

Gregg D. Jacobs. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. December 2001, 7 (supplement 1): 83-92. doi:10.1089/107555301753393841.

Reframing Trauma

•“When viewed as a spiritual journey, life becomes a mystery, a paradox and a voyage of discovery.” Lin

Morel

Utilizing Positive Emotions for Healing of Trauma

• Heartfelt positive emotions/attitudes provide a number of benefits that enhance physiological, psychological, and social functioning. 23-25

• Activating positive emotions: love, appreciation, compassion, care,suggests that an increase the coherence/harmony in our energetic systems, the primary drivers of our physiological systems.19

Rollin McCraty, Ph.d., Doc Childre. Biofeedback 2002;30(1): 23-25

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, A Peer-Reviewed Journal, 2010; 16 (4):10-24

Creative Expression & Trauma Release

• “Monster in Me” workshop allowed 7-year old violent child to realize his “earless monster” couldn’t hear how angry he was. Behavior improved significantly.

• Became a mentor and model, encouraging shelter children to express their feelings.

63% of boys, age 11-20, who commit murder, kill the man abusing their mother. National Coalition Against Domestic

Violence and FBI Crime Statistics.

Positive Outlooks in Response to Trauma

• Awaken to the fact you are more than body, emotions and mind.

• Steppingstone to personal power

• Relationship to the Soul (Loving)

• Opportunity to forgive judgments and heal past trauma

• Frames suffering as a “journey”

Transmuting Pain into Positive Emotions

Psychologists Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman charted the effect of terrorist attacks two

months pre-post 9/11/01bombing as part of an ongoing web study.

Prudence, curiosity, bravery, self-control and wisdom did not change significantly.

Six emotional strengths: gratitude, hope, kindness, love, spirituality and teamwork shifted

significantly.

“Christopher Peterson and Martin Segilman, “Character Strengths Before and After September 11,” Psychological Science 14 (2003): 365-76

Methodologies to Access Inner Wisdom

• Spiritual practice - prayer, meditation, therapy

• Self-expression - singing, honoring emotions, writing/journaling, etc.

• Gratitude, forgiveness

• Conscious breathing, yoga, tai chi,

• Art and creative expression

• Movement, nature, hobbies, etc.

ACIM Conference “The Healing Consciousness”

June 20-21, 2014

Lin Morel, MA, DSSwww.linmorel.com