1. Tell me about what being a trauma specialist means to you?

Becoming a trauma specialist was a natural progression for me after receiving my certification in yoga. Through my yoga journey, I discovered the profound healing potential of trauma-informed yoga practices. What defines me as a specialist is not just my formal education, but my personal experience with trauma. From a young age, writing about my traumatic experiences was cathartic. With degrees in speech, rhetoric, communication, and psychology, I now guide my clients on therapeutic storytelling. My approach isn’t about airing trauma publicly but rather journaling and discussing it with a therapist—essential steps towards healing. Ignoring trauma only amplifies its impact; instead, I empower others to acknowledge their emotions, knowing that it’s okay to feel sadness, happiness, or anger amidst adversity. My role is to provide credible, compassionate support across all realms of trauma, fostering healing and resilience.

2. What exactly do you do?

As a trauma specialist, my work revolves around helping individuals navigate and heal from traumatic experiences. I conduct one on one sessions or small group sessions in which I use trauma-informed yoga practices to facilitate healing, combined with therapeutic writing techniques and psychological insights. I guide clients in exploring their trauma narratives in a safe, supportive environment, empowering them to process emotions and triggers effectively. Through motivational speaking and private consultations, I offer personalized strategies for managing trauma-related challenges and fostering emotional well-being.

3. What does that title mean for you?

For me, being a trauma specialist signifies a profound commitment to healing and resilience. It’s about leveraging my personal journey and academic background to support others in their healing processes. The title represents not just expertise but empathy, a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma and a dedication to empowering individuals to reclaim their narratives and rebuild their lives.

4. What is trauma yoga and how do

you heal people with it?

Trauma yoga integrates gentle, mindful movement with breathwork and meditation techniques specifically designed to address trauma’s physical and emotional impacts. Through trauma yoga, I help individuals reconnect with their bodies, release tension, and cultivate inner peace. The practice promotes self-awareness and resilience, providing a safe space for processing trauma without retraumatization. By fostering a mind-body connection, trauma yoga supports healing on a holistic level, empowering individuals to reclaim a sense of control and strength.

5. Reflecting on your journey, what advice would you give to someone helping a person overcome trauma?

The most crucial advice I can offer is to create a space of unconditional acceptance for the traumatized individual. My own experiences, particularly with my daughter, have taught me the importance of allowing individuals to simply exist in their pain without judgment or pressure to “move on.” Silence and active listening can be immensely healing offering solace and validation without attempting to fix or dictate their healing journey. Recognize that healing from trauma is a nonlinear process; it requires acknowledging and navigating through the pain to ultimately grow and understand personal triggers.

6. How does your psychology degree aid you in assisting people with trauma, particularly in understanding trauma’s impact on cognitive abilities?

When I first embarked on my psychology major, it was driven by a profound personal experience and a realization that intelligence alone wasn’t enough, I needed deeper understanding. Despite waiting until I was educated and established, I found myself making choices that led to a traumatic situation, particularly in my choice of partner and parenthood. Psychology became my avenue for self-reflection, a tool to comprehend my own trauma, and a means to grasp why people make the decisions they do. It also sparked an interest in anthropology, as I felt my previous degrees might have missed crucial elements.

Studying psychology has provided me with a new lens through which to view the world, particularly in understanding how race and socioeconomic status intersect with trauma response. Different racial and financial backgrounds shape how individuals conceptualize and cope with trauma. For example, the experiences and societal teachings of Caucasians versus African Americans profoundly influence their perspectives on trauma. This awareness has reignited my exploration of intersectionality, the recognition that various aspects of identity such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status intersect to shape our experiences and responses to the world around us. It’s a crucial framework that enhances my ability to empathize with and support others on their healing journeys.

About Yoga and Its Healing Impact:

Yoga has been pivotal in my healing journey ever since a car accident prompted me to seek alternatives to conventional treatments. With my upcoming certification in Pilates, which complements my yoga practice, I aim to further enhance my ability to support others on their path to physical and emotional well-being. I’ve dedicated a total of 13 years to practicing both yoga and Pilates.