Healing Trauma

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Encountering trauma will inevitably impact your learning journey. It's vital to be ready. By gaining deeper self-awareness, we become equipped to guide others through learning from our own experiences. The following serves as a roadmap for navigating the healing process of trauma.

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The Healing Process

1

You Experience
Trauma

Relief

At first, there may be feelings of shock, numbness and disbelief. Those who have experienced trauma may feel overwhelmed and have strong physical reactions.



Be there as they move from shock and disbelief to acceptance that the trauma really did happen.

  • Normal, Natural Reactions

    SOCIAL

    • Withdrawal
    • Lack of interest in other’s activities
    • Unrealistic expectations of self and others
    • Poor judgement about relationships

    EMOTIONAL

    • Numbness, emptiness
    • Not interested in taking part in activities
    • Withdrawn or easily angered (explosive)
    • Needing to review what has happened

    SPIRITUAL

    • Blaming God
    • Lack of meaning or direction

    PHYSICAL

    • Tight chest, quicker heartbeat
    • Shortness of breath, crying, sighing
    • Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
    • Lack of energy, weakness, tightness of muscles
    • Dizziness, shivering, faintness
    • Inability to sit still, sleep patterns change
    • Change in appetite

    THINKING

    • Confusion, dream-like, sense of unreality
    • Poor concentration, difficulty with memory
    • Denial, disbelief
    • Constant thoughts about the trauma

  • Supportive Acts

    • Allow those traumatized to express what happened verbally (or in drawing or writing).
    • Have practical and emotional supports available (if possible), for example, family, friends, help with meal preparation, etc.)
    • Encourage those who have experienced trauma to avoid unnecessary changes; stick to a routine as much as possible.

2

Confronting the Pain

Recovery

When the numbness ends, the emotional pain of grieving begins. It may be very intense, but it will gradually lesson.



Allow those that you are supporting to acknowledge, experience and work through their feelings of loss, hopelessness and/or loss, hopelessness and/or despair.

  • Normal, Natural Reactions

    SOCIAL

    • Continued withdrawal
    • Needing company, but 
    • not initiating
    • Running into new relationships
    • Self-consciousness

    EMOTIONAL

    • Extreme feelings
    • Anger, sadness, despair, guilt
    • Depression, feeling lost, overwhelmed
    • High-anxiety, unrealistic fears about 
    • others or self

    SPIRITUAL

    • Continued blaming God
    • Lack of meaning

    PHYSICAL

    • Tight chest, shortness of breath
    • Diarrhea, constipation
    • Restlessness, aimless activity
    • Sharp pains, gnawing emptiness
    • Nightmares, vivid dreams, hallucinations
    • Change in appetite and sleep patterns

    THINKING

    • Forgetfulness, daydreaming, and confusion 
    • Periodic denial
    • Difficulty concentrating or understanding
    • Considering that they are ‘crazy,’ not in reality

  • Supportive Acts

    • Help those who have been traumatized to identify their emotions
    • Explain the healing process. Normalize it as much as possible (i.e., others are or have experienced the same thing)
    • Encourage them to take physical and emotional care of themselves

3

Adjusting to life again

Development

As the intensity of trauma reactions diminishes, a willingness to reconnect with the world once more will take added energy.

 

Your ‘Support Task’ is to encourage engagement in new activities and relationships as they begin to accept the new post trauma

reality.

  • Normal, Natural Reactions

    SOCIAL

    • More interest in other’s daily affairs
    • Ability to reach out
    • Energy for social relationships
    • Increased desire for independence

    EMOTIONAL

    • Emotions become less extreme
    • Emotions are easier to Control
    • More peace and happiness
    • Some guilt about life continuing

    SPIRITUAL

    • Re-establishment of beliefs
    • Forming meaning about the trauma

    PHYSICAL

    • Dreams and hallucinations decrease
    • Physical symptoms lessen
    • Appetite returns to normal
    • Emptiness is decreased
    • Sleep is more ’settled.’

    THINKING

    • Fewer thoughts about being ‘crazy.’
    • Increased insight into the trauma
    • Ability to remember with less pain
    • Improved concentration
    • Feelings of ‘coming out of the fog.’

  • Supportive Acts

    • Encourage those who have been traumatized to engage in activities and relationships
    • Support them in learning new skills and responsibilities
    • Encourage them to begin to make choices and decisions

Wellness

TEACHERS ARE THE CENTRE OF LEARNING

Wellness is multidimensional. Take the Dimensions of Wellness assessment free for teachers. Dr. Peat's wellness program is intended to strengthen your teaching capacity, increase your productivity, and improve your relationships.

Wellness in Action

Dimensions of Wellness

Teaching is immensely challenging. Live a healthy, happy, successful life as an educator.

Crisis Relief

The Right outcome.

Crisis Relief, From Chaos to Calm Support students affected by trauma. Learn practical, proven strategies to help students, their families, and staff thrive following COVID and other traumatic events.

Power Over Anxiety

Take control.

Power Over Anxiety Online Course. Learn practical, proven strategies to help students, their families, and staff thrive following COVID and other traumatic events. A three-part series.

Built-In Values

Honesty & Integrity

We will be truthful without compromise. We will do the right thing in all situations whether or not anyone is watching. We will not compromise our values for others.

Respect & Dignity

We will conduct ourselves on a day-to-day basis with respect for ourselves and others. We will treat others with dignity in all situations. We will open our minds to the cultural differences that exist to ensure that we our actions are interpreted appropriately.

Equity

Equity is the cornerstone of public education and is pervasive in our approach to achieving our objectives. We will pursue our vision seeking fairness for all parties involved - children, parents, communities, partners, companies, donors and governments.

Honesty & Integrity

We will be truthful without compromise. We will do the right thing in all situations whether or not anyone is watching. We will not compromise our values for others.

Respect & Dignity

We will conduct ourselves on a day-to-day basis with respect for ourselves and others. We will treat others with dignity in all situations. We will open our minds to the cultural differences that exist to ensure that we our actions are interpreted appropriately.

Equity

Equity is the cornerstone of public education and is pervasive in our approach to achieving our objectives. We will pursue our vision seeking fairness for all parties involved - children, parents, communities, partners, companies, donors and governments.