Trauma and Attachment-Related Conditions
Including PTSD

Who Seeks Help for Trauma-Related Difficulties?     •     Trauma and Disordered Mood Program
The Approach      •      Intention and Outcome      •     Areas of Focus      •      The Tools and Skills Box      •      Homework

Just as the muscles in the human body strengthen or degenerate based on their use or disuse, the psyche develops, expands, contracts, and scars based on life events and how they are experienced and understood. Traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood threaten one's sense of safety, identity, and wholeness, and undermine our capacity to form trusting and reliable interpersonal connections. Broken hearts and spirits have traumatic experiences and failed attachments at their core. Internalized shame, along with guilt, humiliation, demoralization, degradation and remorse, are the most common emotional results. Individuals cope with trauma and its psychic/emotional effects in unconsciously-driven maladaptive patterns of thinking and behavior. These coping mechanisms were originally invoked as a way to survive. Later in life, they become disruptive and destructive. They commonly include:
  • Rationalizing, intellectualizing, and denying often with obsessive thinking
  • Compulsive behaviors with ritualized aspects as seen in OCD
  • Disconnecting from self and others through disordered eating or substance abuse
  • Gambling, spending, compulsive sexual behavior, and other process addictions
  • Self-harm, isolation, and withdrawal
Individuals and families carry trauma wounds from emotional, physical, or sexually violent and threatening events. Another set of trauma-linked conditions derives from interpersonal experiences of failed attachment or misattunement. In these instances, individuals feel they were "never gotten" by relied upon caregivers even from those who appeared to provide more than adequate resources and attention. Something interfered with the care and understanding offered such that it was inadequately received. Years later these individuals blame themselves for how they feel and own an internalized sense of failure that validates their story of self-loathing and inferiority. Many stuck in this way beat themselves up by maintaining a set of unattainable, self-imposed standards and measures of success. Despite these views causing great psychic pain the underpinnings of trauma and disconnection make them seem unshakable.

Since trauma and attachment disorders involve the brain and manifest with life threatening physical and psychological effects, its treatment by necessity must include biological, psychological, social, interpersonal, and spiritual components. Recovery requires intense effort and diligence on the part of clients and staff in order to identify and then change the maladaptive patterns of thinking, relating, coping, and behaving which plague individuals struggling with trauma.


Who seeks help for trauma-related difficulties?

Individuals seek help for trauma-related disorders as they become aware of the associated disturbing, disruptive, destructive, or life-threatening effects. Among these are:
  • Health complications and illnesses
  • depression, suicidal thinking or attempts, eroding self-esteem
  • Sleep disturbances including insomnia, nightmares, night sweats
  • Agitation and anxiety including mood swings, hypomania, and panic
  • Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, disorganized thinking, and dissociation
  • Interpersonal difficulties and relationship losses
  • Spiritual disconnection and identity disturbances
  • Increased substance use or abuse
  • Disordered eating
  • Process addictions: gambling, internet, spending
  • Sexual compulsivity and sex addiction
  • Encouragement to seek help for any of the above from a professional or family member
Seeking help for trauma-related difficulties is a very personal and individual decision often occurring at a moment of psychic, physical, and emotional/spiritual crisis. People who call Alta Mira, our clients and their family members quickly discover they are not alone and do not have to stay trapped in the spirals of loss and disconnection that accompany unresolved and untreated trauma and attachment disorders.


Trauma and Disordered Mood Program

The Trauma and Disordered Mood program addresses the client at all levels; Mental, Emotional, Physical & Spiritual. Through Integrative & Holistic Psychology we can facilitate Healing at the Level of Causation, Not Just Management and Treatment of Symptoms. Conditions, Symptoms and our life situation develop because of multiple reasons; not just the usual suspects and we need to look at the whole person not just the mind if we want better results!

When we truly decide to change our lives and relationships, to be free of longstanding issues and behavior patterns that limit us by not living authentically, something amazing happens. We become alive again, revealing our true essence and healing to live from a place of wholeness.

Transformation of the body, mind and spirit is a rewarding path to choose. It's choosing to peel back and dissolve the layers of trauma, hurt, and the pain of a lifetime..... "the stuff" that life, other people and we as individuals have piled onto ourselves, burdening us and obscuring the beauty that has always been inside us. It's learning that through healing our body, mind, and spirit by letting go of the past, choosing to moving forward, we will deliver ourselves the life we were meant to live.... Peacefully, joyfully, effortlessly. Through this process we come to understand how happiness starts from within and begin freeing ourselves from our stories that have limited us, labeled and disabled us. That we alone are responsible for our own happiness and it cannot be found outside of ourselves. We begin to see ourselves, relationships and life itself with an entirely new perspective. Life becomes a process of learning to be authentically aware and going with the natural flow of living. The world is seen with an openness and freshness that has not been with us since we were very young. We feel alive and joyful again. We begin to live life from a place of who we truly are, revealing our true essence to ourselves and others.

The Inner Path is a process of transforming ourselves, our lives, and our relationships starting from within.


The Approach

You will have the opportunity to recreate your path through a blending of both conventional and integrative services, including but not limited to the following:
  • Individual one-on-one sessions 2-3 Hours per week with your primary therapist to help you process your experiences, uncover the root cause of your suffering to begin the healing process. Our program director works with clients in a compassionate psychodynamic and cognitive/behavioral way with traditional therapy, while integrating complimentary alternative therapies to allow clients to heal themselves at a cellular level of body, mind and spirit. Believing that when we can recognize and experience who we really are from the level of soul and clear out the cellular memories stored in our bodies that are the root cause of our suffering, we will no longer live from our egos and inauthentic habitual patterns. Many traditional approaches keep people in their stories and pain, bringing awareness without freedom, taking time that just isn't necessary if you follow the Inner Path™. Therapy will also incorporate Total Biology™, The Enneagram, The Work™ and Quantum Biofeedback.
  • Group sessions will encompass group therapy, meditation and relaxed awareness practice, (The new AA ~ Acceptance & Awareness) at least three times per week as well as a variety of educational groups and a number group activities, both on and off campus. You will encounter a number of different professional facilitators with expertise in their particular specialty areas ( i.e. Equine Therapy, Adventure Therapy, Four Agreements, The Work etc). Participation in Experiential Groups where the primary focus will be on intense, personal experiences that will both surprise and enlighten you.
  • Attendance at support group meetings of your choice ( with Staff approval ) at least twice per week and attendance at Community Meetings.
  • Attendance at educational seminars on a wide variety of subjects ( i.e. Nutrition, Sleep Hygiene, Native American Practices; etc. ) related to recovery, growth, healing, and transformation.
  • Optional IV, Oral and Dietary Nutrient Therapy will rebalance brain and body chemistry quickly, so you will be better able to benefit from your work at Alta Mira.
  • Regular Body Work such as Exercise, Yoga, Massage, Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Far Infared Sauna's to help you detoxify, heal, grow and relax.
  • Self directed individual growth experiences through books, self instructional CD's, DVD's and videos. Journaling will be encouraged to record and track your experiences.
  • Working closely with your Program Director and Support Team to develop and implement a program that is appropriate and effective for you...and more.
  • Family Therapy addressing root causes and insight into interpersonal dynamics.


Intention & Outcome

The blending of these conventional and integrated therapies allows the client to get at the root cause of their suffering and attend to themselves from every angle; emotional, physical and spiritual, allowing for a complete and rejuvenating healing experience to transform their life to begin living from a place of wholeness and freedom within themselves and their relationships.
  • Experiencing improved mental and physical energy
  • Experience the freedom of releasing yourself from unhealed trauma, emotional wounds, and baggage that no long serves you
  • Enhanced focus and mental clarity
  • Elevated mood
  • Physical detox, rebalancing and healing.
  • Improved sleep
  • Less triggered, more awareness and ability to handle and choose behaviors that serve you better
  • Ability to identify beliefs, self-sabotaging behaviors and feelings
  • Increased understanding of choice and personal responsibility
  • Develop a basis for connection to the world around you
  • Increased self care capabilities and coping skills
  • Identify and make spiritual connections
  • Discover, connect to and honor your essence, the truth of your soul and life's purpose.


Areas of Focus

Utilizing the methods previously mentioned we will address issues in different realms to help you achieve the desired Outcomes. We will bring focus to the following areas (and probably more) :

A. Uncovering and Healing The Root Cause/Trauma
  • Charting Memorized Cellular Biological Cycles
  • Uncovering and releasing cellular memory/trauma memory driving behavior, emotions, and illness
B. Addressing and Rebalancing Stress in The Body, Mind and Spirit
  • Identifying where we hold our stress and the source; physical, emotional/mental, life style, energetic, or spiritual
  • Correcting Stress/energetic imbalances, learning self-regulation, connecting mind/body/emotions/spirit
  • Regulation and Awareness
C. Correcting brain chemistry and physical imbalances
  • Complete diagnostic testing
  • Blood Sugar, Thyroid, Adrenal and organ function and balancing
  • Neurotransmitter Assessment and Balancing (optional)
  • Overcoming Addictions and cravings of certain foods, substances, and emotions
  • Fixing fatty acid deficiency
  • Detoxification to eliminate toxins and drug residues
  • Vitamin Deficiency Assessment and Balancing
D. Identifying Ego Fixation and Sabotaging Behaviors
  • What early wounding drive your choices, behaviors and emotions
  • How do you manipulate to get your needs met?
  • How do you betray yourself to get love, acceptance and approval?
  • What do you think, feel or do that takes you farther away from your true nature, your essence?
E. Heightening Awareness
  • Uncovering "your story"
  • How do you defend and maintain you story (Cognitive ): *ego/image
    *illusion of control/power
    *tolerance for insanity ( yours /others )
    *grandiosity/self centeredness
    *alienation/detachment
    * beliefs/judgments
    * fears
  • How do you distract yourself from the "truth" ( Behavioral ) *addictions
    *attachments
    *drama
    *work/play
    *"stuff"
F. Increasing Clarity
  • What do you say you want
    *values
    *actions
  • What are you attached to
  • What can you "let go" of
G. Learning Free Choice and Personal Responsibility
  • What do you really want
  • What are you willing to do and not do
  • What are you committed to
  • What truth will you live
  • Who are you?


The Tools & Skills Box

The aforementioned questions help to point out the direction for a new path, the tools help to clear the new path, and your level of willingness to be responsible for new and different choices determines the depth and applicability of your discoveries. Some of the tools you will use to assist you in learning to be responsible for yourself and to others are:
  • Individual reflection and addressing superficial levels of behaviors (Disordered Eating, Substance Abuse, depression, Anxiety, Sexual Compulsivity, others)
  • Active and honest feedback from staff and peers
  • Emotional Awareness and Regulation
  • Increase awareness and identify Core Beliefs that unconsciously drive behaviors
  • Identifying true passion and bliss and what you want for your life
  • The Four Agreements
  • Cognitive and Perceptual Awareness ~ The Work™ ~ The Four Questions and Who's Business am I in?
  • Meditation ~ Mindfulness ~ Relaxed Awareness
  • Journaling
  • Nutraceutical support
  • Health Eating
  • Body Movement
  • Body and energy work increasing awareness of body sensations associated with emotions and blockages in the flow of our energetic and emotional network
  • Healthy Eating
  • Self care and coping skills
  • Body and energy work increasing awareness of body sensations associated with emotions
  • Body Image and Awareness
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Participation (showing up)
  • Honesty


Homework

  • Enneagram Assessment Test
  • Four Questions Worksheets
  • The Four Agreements
  • Total Biology Intake Forms of Family, Conception, Birth and Childhood History. Also, birth order of self, parents, and grandparents.
  • Trigger Assessment
  • Journaling and Relaxed Awareness Observations
  • Intentions & Goals Worksheet