Trauma-Informed Coaching

Trauma is defined by the Canadian Mental Health Association as “the ongoing response of body, mind, and spirit that can result from living through a distressing event.” A distressing event can be, for example: sexual assault, violence, an accident, or long-term, repeated patterns such as childhood neglect and/or abuse.

The consequences of experiencing trauma can last a lifetime. A survivor loses their ability to trust or feel safe, and may experience a loss of personal power, control, and agency. Trauma can also cause a disconnection from ourselves, our bodies, and the earth that results in dissociation, despair, avoidance, over-consumption, and other addictions. This disconnection allows us to perpetuate the violation of the earth and cruelty to other living beings, even as it allows us to perpetuate violence toward ourselves.

We know that when people are connected to themselves, they are more able to extend caring to the planet and other…