Understanding Your Nervous System and the Importance of a Trauma-Informed Treatment Team
In recent years, neuroscience has made significant strides in understanding how trauma impacts the nervous system. This understanding has highlighted the importance of having a trauma-informed treatment team as an important component of the healing journey.
At our practice, we are deeply committed to being trauma-informed in every aspect of our care. We utilize a wide range of approach treatments such as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) in order to offer a holistic healing approach that addresses the root causes of trauma.
The Impact of Trauma on the Nervous System
Trauma disrupts and rewires a person's neurophysiology, leading to long-term dysregulation, particularly within the autonomic nervous system. This system, which includes the fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses, is essential for survival. When trauma remains unprocessed, it can cause chronic dysregulation and may lead to mood disorders such as depression and generalized anxiety. This dysregulation often results in the development of coping strategies that provide short-term relief but hinder personal growth.
The Role of Trauma in Survival
Resmaa Menakem, a trauma therapist and somatic practitioner, explains that trauma is not a shortcoming but a protective response to perceived danger. He states, “Trauma is not a flaw or a weakness. It is a highly effective tool of safety and survival. Trauma is also not an event. Trauma is the body’s protective response to an event—or a series of events—that it perceives as potentially dangerous.” Understanding this perspective helps reframe trauma as a survival mechanism rather than a personal failing.
The Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Treatment
The emergence of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) represents a paradigm shift in mental health treatment. Unlike the traditional biomedical approach, which focuses on medications for symptom suppression, KAP is a synergistic approach that integrates the therapeutic effects of ketamine with psychotherapy. This combination not only addresses symptoms but also facilitates deeper psychological and emotional healing.
Innovative Interventions for Trauma
With our growing understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system, experts are developing interventions to address these issues. Dr. Peter Levine, the creator of Somatic Experiencing therapy, highlights the innate capacity of the human nervous system to restore equilibrium. He asserts, "Nature has instilled in animals, including humans, a nervous system capable of restoring equilibrium." This inherent biological capacity can be harnessed through trauma-informed therapies, promoting healing and resilience.
At New York Integrative Psychiatry, addressing the root causes of presenting symptoms and fostering safe, supportive environments is foundational to our work.
Our primary goal is to help individuals continue on their journey of personal growth through deepening insights, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and increasing resilience to the inevitable ups and downs of life.
If you're seeking a compassionate approach that honors your unique experiences, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a session today, and take the first step toward healing with a team that truly understands the complexities of trauma.