Breaking the Silence: A Trauma Therapist's Journey with ACEs and cPTSD

Hey there, God's masterpiece. Welcome back to the Holistic Counselor podcast where I, Diana from Through the Valley Therapy, dive deep into the realms of mental health, healing, and empowerment. Today we're embarking on a profound journey of understanding as we explore the difficult landscapes of complex post-traumatic stress disorder and adverse childhood experiences.

Warning, the following may leave you a bit unsettled or completely understood. If it does, please make sure to seek help from a mental health professional right away. Let's kick things off with a glimpse into my own journey of ACEs and CPTSD. As a tiny little brown female child being raised in a lower socioeconomic area, my journey with CPTSD is deeply intertwined with a childhood marked by emotional neglect and exposure to mature themes far beyond my years.

Growing up in the '70s, I sought comfort and companionship in the world of American television. Think telenovelas, soap operas, and those three main channels on a tiny square box with music icons like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Doors while roaming the streets of Queens, New York.

However, amidst the cultural immersion, I also encountered numerous challenges that no elementary school child should face. From witnessing my father's suicide attempt to his disappearance to encountering unsettling situations of sexual molestation, watching bookies come to my home in search of money owed to the bully that put a knife to my throat just because he thought I was a effing Hindu.

My childhood was marred by experiences that left lasting scars. Smoking cigarettes and other things at just 9 years old became a coping mechanism. By 12 years old, I was smoking marijuana and by 15, I traveled into the world of alcohol and psychedelics. Highlighting the early onset of unhealthy coping strategies to navigate this painful landscape of my upbringing.

With an ACE score of six, my journey with CPTSD was a daunting one marked by emotional turbulence and inner turmoil. Looking back now, I could see sightings of those who gave me hope, courage, acceptance, and love. Through diligent work in therapy and deep exploration of psychology, biology, and theology, rather than avoiding or masking my traumatic experiences, I've transformed into a resilient wounded helper.

Armed with valuable insights, practical tools, and profound wisdom, I'm now equipped to guide others through their uncharted painful trails toward reaching their peaks of personal growth and fulfillment. It is not a perfect trail, but it is my trail, and I would never change the scenery that led me to this moment in time.

Anyway, what is an ACE score? And what is CPTSD? Adverse childhood experiences and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as childhood PTSD, are related yet distinct concepts in the context of psychological health and trauma. Understanding their differences and the link between them is crucial in the fields of mental health and therapeutic practice.

ACEs refer to traumatic events that occurred during childhood from 0 to 17 years old. These events can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, and household dysfunction such as witnessing domestic violence, growing up with family members who have substance use disorders, mental health issues, experiencing parental separation or divorce, and having an incarcerated family member.

The ACE study, a landmark research project, highlighted the strong and graded relationship between the breadth of exposure to ACEs and a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical health, heart disease, diabetes, or hello, autoimmune disease, mental health issues, depression, anxiety, yep, been there and done that, and behavioral problems, substance abuse, violence.

Well, you heard a bit of my story. The higher the ACE score, a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood, the greater the risk of these outcomes. Yikes. This is why I put my oxygen mask on first before trying to put it on others.

CPTSD is a condition that results from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, often over months or years, and typically involves an aspect of captivity, loss of control, or entrapment. This can include long-term abuse, neglect, torture, slavery, and exposure to war zones or concentration camps.

Post-traumatic stress disorder often stems from exposure to a single or brief traumatic event. In contrast, complex post-traumatic stress disorder results from prolonged or repeated trauma, leading to more profound emotional disruption. Individuals with CPTSD may experience a pervasive sense of threat, profound feelings of shame or guilt, and chronic difficulties in managing emotions.

Additionally, CPTSD typically involves complex alterations in self-perception and significant challenges in forming and maintaining relationships. You can think of, if you're in the mental health field, um, dissociative and personality disorders are kind of like that. Or, um, these symptoms extend beyond the usual scope of PTSD, indicating the layered and enduring impact of complex trauma.

The correlation between ACEs and C-PTSD is rooted in the severity and recurrence of early trauma. High ACE scores typically reflect exposure to chronic trauma that may that may culminate in C-PTSD with the destructive childhood environment acting as a fertile ground for this complex psychological condition to develop.

While ACEs serve as a measure of traumatic incidences during one's formative years, C-PTSD encapsulates the torturous array of psychological impacts that stem from enduring various traumas, or what I call wounds. In summary, ACEs are specific traumatic events that occur in childhood and have a compounding effect on individuals' lifelong health and well-being.

In contrast, C-PTSD is a diagnosis that describes the complex psychological responses to prolonged and repeated trauma, which can certainly include the traumas identified as ACEs. Understanding the link between ACEs and C-PTSD is critical for effective diagnosis, treatment, and support for those affected by these experiences, especially in the BIPOC community.

If you're listening and do not know what BIPOC is, please go to the episode titled Beyond Politics: A Heartfelt Navigation of BIPOC and Immigrant Mental Health. As a trauma-informed, non-pathologizing therapist with firsthand insights into the healthcare field, the significance of properly understanding ACEs and C-PTSD cannot be overstated when striving for accurate diagnoses and root cause treatment.

If C-PTSD were recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM, it could revolutionize mental healthcare by reducing the prevalence of misdiagnoses and encouraging a more holistic approach to healing. It would acknowledge the profound and varied impacts of prolonged trauma on an individual's mental health, rather than fragmenting their experience into separate, potentially unrelated, painful diagnoses.

This recognition can lead to reduction in the multitude of diagnoses that may actually be manifestations of the complex trauma response. For example, early in my career, I couldn't help but wonder why so many teenagers were being prescribed so many medications. I started working with a young man who was diagnosed with ADHD, antisocial personality disorder, and bipolar.

Instead of following the textbook approach, I decided to do things differently. I treated him with respect, love, and dignity, rather than just focusing on his diagnoses and medication com- compliance. His file was thick with reports and prescriptions, but I chose to listen to him instead.

I wanted to truly understand him, not just manage his medications or focus on his diagnoses, which were many. And as we talked, he opened up to me in a way he hadn't with anyone else. He shared the painful truth of his upbringing, the sexual abuse he endured from the age of seven, growing up in a home plagued by alcoholism and poverty, and getting caught up in a dangerous gang that led to his incarceration.

This experience, among many others, taught me the importance of seeing beyond labels and truly understanding the unique stories and struggles of each individual I work with. I don't just treat symptoms, I strive to understand the person behind them. By the way, after working with him for almost a year, he turned his life around, realized his potential, started taking school seriously, found a girlfriend, and a couple of friends who were trying to do the right thing, too.

Advocating for healing and resilience becomes especially heartbreaking against this backdrop of understanding. amid the challenges, there remains a beacon of hope. By embracing trauma-informed care, we advocate for a system that is attuned to the lived experiences of individuals, acknowledges the prevalence of trauma, and commits to addressing systemic inequalities.

This shift can cultivate resilience and promote healing within communities as we endeavor to transform the narrative surrounding CPTSD. This is not just about managing symptoms, but about nurturing an environment where individuals can move from surviving to thriving. Resources such as Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score dives into the profound effects of trauma on the body and mind and offer insights into recovery.

This book revolutionized my therapy practice. Similarly, Pete Walker's CPTSD: From Surviving to Thriving provides a road map for individuals to navigate the complex journey of healing from complex trauma. Gabor Maté's The Myth of Normal challenges the very notion of normality in health and psychology, arguing for a compassionate and holistic approach to mental health.

These works, along with others that explore ACEs and CPTSD through a trauma-informed lens, are indispensable for therapists committed to fostering true healing and resilience in those they serve. There's also a podcast episode from The Best of You, episode 15, The Pain of Millions Cuts, which I highly recommend listening to if you score high on the ACE assessment or feel you may have CPTSD.

I will link all of this in the show notes. As someone deeply immersed in the journey of healing, I've come to recognize the profound wisdom that arises from overcoming trauma. Embracing a holistic view of mental health has been pivotal in my own growth.

Through years of dedicated effort, I've amassed a toolkit of diverse resources enriched by both formal education and personal experience. Navigating my way through a substantial A score of six and grappling with complex PTSD remains an ongoing process. One that I actively engage in alongside my therapist.

As well as traditional methods, I've embraced practices like biohacking, exercise, whole foods, breathwork, meditation, supplements, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, community, and I draw strength from my faith in Christ. If you're seeking support and guidance, I urge you to seek out a therapist who shares my commitment to a trauma-informed approach.

When seeking a therapist, it's crucial to find a clinician who can provide a supportive and comprehensive therapeutic experience. Here's a list of qualities and competencies to consider. Specializing in trauma. Look for a therapist with specialized training and experience in treating trauma, particularly CPTSD.

Knowledge of ACEs. You would be surprised how many in the healthcare field do not know what this is. The therapist should understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences on long-term mental health. Trauma-informed care. Ensure they practice trauma-informed care, which involves recognizing the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledging the role trauma may play in an individual's life.

Therapeutic approaches. Find out if they are proficient in therapeutic modalities proven effectively for trauma, such as EMDR, somatic experiencing, or dialectical behavioral therapy. Empathy and patience. The therapist should demonstrate empathy and patience as healing from CPTSD can be slow and a challenging process.

Non-judgmental stance. They must maintain a non-judgmental stance to create a safe environment where you can share your experiences openly. Cultural competence. This one is super important. Cultural sensitivity is key, especially if your trauma is interlinked with cultural factors or marginalization. Collaborative approach. Look for a therapist who values collaboration and works with you to create personalized treatment goals.

Boundaries and professionalism. Effective therapists should establish and maintain clear boundaries, ensuring professional that fosters trust. Self-care advocacy. They should encourage and assist you in developing self-care routines that supports your healing process. Resourcefulness. A good therapist can provide or direct you to additional resources such as support groups, videos, or reading material that can aid in recovery.

Continuous learning. Choose a therapist dedicated to ongoing education and staying abreast of cutting-edge research and trauma treatment methods, while also actively engaging in their own therapeutic journey to ensure they remain open-minded and adaptable in their approach. Flexibility in treatment. The therapist should be flexible and willing to adjust treatment plans as your needs change throughout the therapy process.

Support system integration. They should understand the importance of a support system and may include family therapy or conjoint sessions when appropriate. Confidentiality. It's essential that the therapist upholds strict confidentiality, creating a trusting space for healing. Availability. Consider their availability for regular sessions and the possibility of support between sessions if needed.

Finding the right therapist may take time, but it's a crucial step towards healing and recovery from CPTSD and the impacts of a high ACE score. I recommend having an initial consultation to gauge the therapist fit for your unique needs. And if you're in Florida, I have a few openings at the moment, so contact me to set up your free 15-minute consultation to see if I'm the right fit for you.

If not, cuz I am not everyone's cup of tea, and that's okay, please go to Psychology Today where you can click on all your needs, your area, and your insurance. But I But I highly recommend you find someone who's truly trauma-informed. Don't just settle.

Do your research because if you don't pay for your wellness, you will be forced to pay for your illness. And aren't you worth it? I think so. In closing, I wanted to share a poem from my Wrath to Riches, Justice to Gems book called Broken World.

The broken world around me, the brokenness inside my soul, memories that are destructive. Oh God, it's taking a toll. Atrocious, disgusting behavior from the beginning of time. Humans hurting humans overwhelmed by painful crime. No utopia built on greed will ever succeed. You say if I believe, I will be free indeed.

Please Lord, free me from captivity. Between favor and judgment, the day of vengeance of our God, wrath and fury, death and destruction. Where is your justice, Lord? In my weakness, you are strong. Glory of God will be shown. The year of the Lord's favor is now.

Don't waste this day. Repent. The year of Jubilee is here. Believe in the one who sent. Divine king, everlasting, the spirit anointed, the Messiah sent. All of your fullness rest on the savior of the world. He brings good news to the poor. He binds up the brokenhearted.

He proclaims liberty to the captives, takes in those who are discarded. Oil of gladness, garment of praise, a perfect future is possible as we claim your name. I claim your name. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Take away the pain. The broken world around me, the brokenness inside my soul, memories that are destructive.

Oh God, it's taken a toll. Atrocious, disgusting behavior from the beginning of time. Humans hurting humans overwhelmed by painful crime. Working out my salvation, keeping my eyes on the cross. Guide me in your purpose, Lord. Use me to help the lost. In my weakness, you are strong.

Glory of God will be shown. Well, thank you for listening and remember, trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind. Bye.