Trauma Responses
What is an example of a trauma response?
You gave an example of a behavior that shows you avoiding, running away, or escaping from a problem/emotion/thought/memory
What is something you always have, can always use, and can always observe when you need to self-regulate?
Your breath/deep breathing
What is one of your therapy goals?
You identified a struggle you wanted to change.
List and/or identify the steps of practicing ACE
You labeled and demonstrated acknowledgement of emotion, connecting to your body, and engaging with your environment
What is one way you can show yourself compassion as you learn how you deal with trauma?
You identified a way to be kind and understanding of how you responded to trauma and how you are doing the best you can with the resources you have.
How do you know when you are going into a fight response?
I am always available, helpful when needed, and should always use practice (even when I'm not needed.) What am I?
A coping skill!
What is something related to therapy that you would like to discuss in group?
You identified a topic that would be helpful for you to go over and learn more about.
Ask the group to practice a guided imagery exercise of your choice
You asked the group to do leaves on a stream, urge surfing, stone flake on a lake, etc...
How can you manage the urge to go into a fight response?
You identified a way to reduce the urge to fight, such as using pros/cons, urge surfing, checking the facts, grounding, deep breathing, etc...
What is the most common way you experience a flight response?
You identified the way you most often avoid, run from, or escape something distressing.
I can run when I need to hide, attack when I am scared, appease when I am lonely, and be unable to move when overwhelmed. What am I?
A trauma response (or fight/flight/freeze/fawn)
What is the best way to make you feel comfortable sharing in therapy? (Besides snacks)
You identified something your therapist could do, say, or something you can do or ask for to feel comfortable.
Demonstrate the 5-4-3-2-1 technique
You identified 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste (or absence of a sense).
What could be a reason that you choose to stay when you feel the unhelpful urge to flee?
You identified something that matters to you, a value, or a reminder for how you are strong enough to manage tough things.
When was a time that you went into a freeze response?
You talked about a time when you shut down or felt paralyzed.
Knowing what I can control + Tolerating the things I can't + Willingly knowing the difference = ________
Acceptance
What is one change you would like to see in yourself at your time of discharge?
You identified a positive change in yourself that aligns with your therapy goals.
What is your favorite mindfulness technique and when did you last practice it?
You said a grounding technique, guided imagery, or sensory awareness method and explained how you work on building mindfulness mastery.
What is a way to work out of a freeze response?
You said something like opposite action, checking the facts, using mindfulness, or a way to help you get back into action after shutting down.
How have you prioritized others over yourself in your healing journey?
You talked about how you put others' needs above your own.
I am uncontrollable. You cannot control me, but you can control how much I do.
I am a way to communicate. You can rely on me to help you know yourself more.
I can cause problems but I can also help you solve them.
What am I?
An emotion!!!
What is currently making it difficult to meet your goals?
You identified something that makes it difficult to see the change you are wanting to make.
Lead a group mindfulness exercise from start to finish (either make one up or read from a script)
you successfully led a mindfulness exercise that encouraged observation, description, participation, being nonjudgmental, focus, and effectiveness for a few minutes
How can you start prioritizing yourself more in your healing journey?
You identified a way to engage in more self-care.