Trauma informed care, Education & Self-Care
The program plants the seeds of recovery from domestic violence with supportive practices and educational resources that survivors can cultivate while at The Nest and can continue to grow long after they leave the shelter.
After pro-longed or life-long stress of domestic abuse survivors often suffer from chronic stress, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which may prevent them from basic functioning and decision making. These conditions further rob survivors of agency, physical and mental health, and practical resources.
TES created services to help survivors become grounded, to reclaim, and validate their own reality and learn self-soothing techniques to provide them with a foundation for long-term resiliency and self-sufficiency. This trauma informed care was inspired by the seminal work of internationally renowned experts on trauma such as Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Gabor Mate, John Bowlby, and Mary Ainsworth.
In addition, survivors are also offered education and discussion sessions based on groundbreaking work by Dr. Ramani Durvasula to help them identify the very complex dynamics and presentations of toxic relationships and to develop new coping techniques, early detection, and safety strategies.
The TES program is a highly customized approach to each survivor offering the following healing frameworks, resources, and programming. Each survivor’s treatment plan can include any of the following or other approaches.
SOMATIC (body centered) APPROACH TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
- We believe the survivor! We witness their pain and are fully present to listen.
- Guided Medicinal Breathing and Meditation help with trauma processing, releasing, and building resiliency.
Restorative Yoga is used to help release and heal trauma through its positive effects on the nervous system.- Grounding Techniques such as Tapping, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, butterfly and zipper techniques, and breath work teach to manage stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.
- Somatic (body) Sessions utilize medical grade Far-Infrared PEMF Five Therapy Mat, acupressure mat, biofeedback, exercise, and massage aids that aid in grounding and trauma processing.
- Outings and walks to reconnect with nature and society after prolonged isolation.
EDUCATION & DISCUSSION
- Lectures, videos, books, discussions about toxic relationships, attachment, trauma, nutrition, financial abuse, and positive psychology.
- Journaling, salon, and art therapy.