Unprocessed traumas from the past can remain present for many years. The body signals this to us with stiffness and tension, we are accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as digestive problems, insomnia, chronic pain, we feel helpless, scared or angry, we may develop more serious psychological or behavioural problems and addictions. The consequences of trauma can also manifest at the level of self-image and our relationships with others.

Contemporary research is deepening the understanding of trauma and radically changing the way trauma is treated. The results show that body-oriented therapies are the most effective. In this type of therapy, individuals learn to recognise and regulate their internal states, which leads to changes in how they experience, behave and assess certain situations.

Somatic Experiencing and NeuroAffective Relational Model effectively contribute to the resolution of the physical and psychological symptoms of traumatic experiences.

Presentation of the approach

When we are exposed to a situation that we perceive as threatening, our body switches into "survival mode": it triggers a fight or flight response. In animals in the wild, this process occurs naturally. After a threatening situation, they are able to relax by moving or shaking. In contrast, the fight-flight survival response in humans is often incomplete and the effects of the trauma may remain in the nervous system. The body thus carries unprocessed, "frozen" memories trapped in the body in the form of images, sensory fragments, intense emotions, etc.

With the help of this biopsychological approach, we gradually complete the defensive reactions of fight or flight, thereby reducing the high level of arousal of the nervous system and establishing an inner balance. A person trapped in fears, anxiety, anger or depression can feel safe and peaceful again.

There is no need to talk much about the traumatic event or to relive it intensively. In therapy, we focus on the perceptions of body sensations, emotions, thoughts, possible images and body language that come up in the context of a threatening situation or life situations that we cannot cope with.

The benefits include:

• coping with the trauma associated with a specific adverse situation (shock trauma),

• resolving the consequences of a childhood trauma,

• processing the consequences of prenatal and birth trauma,

• achieving a sense of safety, serenity and spontaneity,

• realising a more vital, fulfilled and joyful life,

• increasing personal strength and building resilience.

Presentation of the approach

We use this comprehensive psychodynamic and body-oriented approach to treat the consequences of adverse experiences from childhood and adolescence. Many emotional and physical symptoms can be traced back to unmet basic developmental needs and associated "survival styles". Survival styles are more or less conscious mental, emotional, physiological and behavioural response patterns that we have developed in situations or circumstances of neglect, abuse, chronic misattunement of parents or caregivers. Today, these patterns are no longer useful to us, but they are still present. Therefore, they make it difficult for us to experience and act and they distance us from others.

The NeuroAffective Relational Model is focused on the present. By recognising how we act on past patterns and beliefs in adulthood, we can more easily let go of defensive strategies that no longer serve us. At the same time, we strengthen our healthy, functional parts. With the help of this approach, we develop personal and interpersonal qualities such as secure attachment, belonging, autonomy, authenticity, setting our own boundaries without guilt, a sense of self-worth that does not depend on appearance or achievements, the connection between sexuality and love, etc.

The approach includes:

• work on limiting beliefs, patterns, identity and relationship problems,

• processing childhood traumas,

• developing one's own ability to cope better with problems and challenges,

• supporting secure attachment and bonding as well as autonomy and authenticity.