Educational Series Session II – Body-based memory of trauma and therapeutic strategies to support the regulation and resilience of child survivors

More than two-thirds of youth in the US have experienced one traumatic event during childhood. Children who witness and experience violence in their home may develop ways of coping that allows them to survive and function day to day. Their coping may result in extreme behavioral and emotional dysregulation (oppositional behavior, limit testing, yelling, aggression, overactive silliness, withdrawal, self-isolation, “spacing out”, shutting down/numbing). As children grow, these defenses may actually become counterproductive and eventually interfere with the capacity to live, love, and be loved.

This webinar is a Polyvagal Theory-informed presentation focusing on assisting in developing connection and safety. It has been created to explore the “body-based memories” stored in the nervous system when a child or youth has experienced a traumatic event or series of events. Participants will learn how to track the physiology of embodiment and presence to repair the conditions of dysregulation and fear stored in the body. Throughout the session, Ms. do Valle will include nuances of culture when addressing trauma as participants learn exercises to invite organization and balance to the Autonomic Nervous System, supporting the completion of physiological states that disrupts everyday routines. The session will also cover the basic steps of the “button-up,” body-centered approach for healing trauma and strengthening resilience.

Ana do Valle is a certified Occupational Therapist who has developed her studies in the areas of Anthroposophical Counseling, Somatic Experiencing, and Sensory Integration.  Ana specializes in working with the social nervous system.  Her focus is on addressing the nuances of processing sensory input as we create coherence in the “experiencing” of life.  She works with birth and medical trauma, emotional dysregulation, trauma resultant from cultural fragmentation and other adverse life events.  She has worked in hospitals and school settings for the past 30 years and currently holds a private practice in Boulder CO.  She teaches on the subject of trauma and healing nationally and outside the US. Ms. Do Valle received a degree in Occupational Therapy at the Federal University (Belo Horizonte-UFMG) in Brazil and is approved by the Foundation for Human Enrichment to provide supervision for all levels of Somatic Experiencing Practitioners.

Registration costs:
Individual $30
Student $15
Group of 5 or more $125