Trauma and Dissociation: Neurological and Spiritual Perspectives

Abstract

The traumatic events of the past decades have touched each of us in either primary or secondary ways. The effects of trauma are experienced physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Many who have been touched by natural disasters or human atrocities view their spiritual distress as the most intense of these responses. While many of the therapeutic models used today all but fail to address this important aspect of humanness, a growing number of psychotherapists are exploring alternate methods of healing in an effort to address the spiritual distress experienced by their traumatized clients. As they being their study of spirituality and spiritual interventions as different from religion and religious models, some of these therapists are revisiting ancient methods of soul healing, including the time- honored teachings and practices of Shamanism. In this discussion article, the relationship between triggers, flashbacks and dissociation are explored from both a neurological perspective and a spiritual (rooted in Shamanic knowledge) perspective. These two worldviews are compared and contrasted. Questions are presented which invite psychotherapists to ponder the need for an increased understanding of spiritual distress and spiritual interventions in order to provide to their trauma clients a more balanced and holistic approach