Case Study: Trauma-Informed Support for Safety and Regulation

Background: Trauma, Addiction, and the Desire for Change

K. had a very troubled past, with mental health hospitalizations and addiction problems going back several years. Through that time she had experienced sexual assault and domestic partner abuse. She returned home after a particularly difficult relationship ended when law enforcement became involved and really wanted to get sober to turn her life around.

Barriers to Traditional Treatment

However, because of the past trauma she did not feel safe going into a 30 day substance use treatment program. She wanted to try to be sober on her own while seeking out patient support living at home, however her parents were setting the boundary that in order to live at home she needed to complete a 30 day program.

Intervention: Post Traumatic Stress Protocol

Her mother was aware that MNRI might be able to help her calm her nervous system in order to go to the program, so K. came in for a 2 hour Post Traumatic Stress Protocol session. In this protocol we use reflex techniques and visualization to bring safety to the nervous system, anchoring survival in positive associations that can be recalled and carried forward to future stressful situations.

Session Experience and Regulation Gains

During the session K. felt calm starting, was able to find positive anchors, and her fear began to lift. By the end of the session she felt completely calm and learned a few reflex exercises she could do by herself, where ever she was to bring back some of the feeling of safety.

Immediate Impact

Later that evening she told her mother that Misti was “a miracle worker, or witch doctor, or some such wondrous being”.