Michele Smith
Trauma Practitioner
If you have suffered any of the following life events, you may be suffering from trauma.
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Childhood sexual abuse
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Abuse
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Traumatic loss of a loved one (suicide, homicide, death of a child)
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Natural Disaster
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Betrayal of Trust
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Systemic Abuse
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Community violence (burglary, bullying, mugging, sexual or physical assault, shooting)
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Witnessing of a Traumatic Event
(not a comprehensive list)
My Background
I have had 24 years experience in grief recovery with survivors of the death of a loved one in Victoria, B.C. and surrounding districts. This branched to the study of trauma to better serve not only those that had suffered the traumatic death of a loved one but other traumatic events as well. My qualifications are as follows:
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Level One Certified Trauma Practitioner
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Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner
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Graduate Certification in Complex Trauma (Masters Level)
Justice Institute of B.C.
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Certified Trauma and Resilience Trainer
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Graduate studies in Pastoral Care and Counselling (Island Pastoral Services)
The field of trauma is ever evolving making the need for continued education paramount. I continue my studies in Collective Trauma, Trauma First Aid and Trauma and Loss in children.
The information on this site is general information and not intended as a substitute for therapy.
Michele
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA?
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Loss of sense of safety
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Loss of self
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Re-enactment
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Loss of self worth
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Dissociation
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Loss of Trust
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Shame
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Loss of Intimacy
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Loss of physical connection to the body
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Loss of danger cues
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Hyper-vigilance
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Physical shut down
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Self Harm
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Sleep disturbance
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Difficulty in decision making
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Memory issues
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ADHD like symptoms
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Easy startle response
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Overwhelming fear
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Social Isolation
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Sexual dysfunction
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Emotional numbing
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Guilt
(This is not a comprehensive list of symptoms that may be experienced when suffering from trauma, nor do all symptoms need to be experienced for an individual to be suffering from trauma)
Trauma does not have to be a life sentence. Please contact Michele for an initial consultation.
Also offered are peer groups and educational seminars and online sessions.
Please check back for articles and updated information.
Michele Smith
778-351-0905
What is Trauma?
Trauma can result from an event or series of circumstance that is experienced by an individual as physically and emotionally harmful or threatening and that has lasting adverse affects on the individuals physical, emotional, social, or spiritual well being.
A traumatic event is a life experience that involves actual or perceived threats to ones own safety or the safety of a loved one. Usually categorized by feelings of helplessness and terror, with the individual unable to make sense or come to terms with the event. The circumstance commonly includes abuse of power, betrayal of trust, entrapment, pain, confusion, helplessness, and/or loss.
This can lead to the traumatic experience becoming stuck in the bodies nervous system, unable to complete it's cycle, and holding it's victim in a flight , fight or freeze state. Trauma tends to be subjective, so what may traumatize one person, may not another.
