Table of Contents
How does trauma affect body language?
Trauma memories ignite ANS activation such as sweating, trembling or increased heart rate. The person senses their physical body and becomes aware of implicit physical actions they need to take to protect themselves (Wylie, M. S.). Body signals can be thought of as signposts for feelings. For example, we may not know consciously that we feel unsafe, but our body may be giving us a clear warning sign through a tight tummy, sweaty palms or a beating heart. The trauma-informed approach is guided four assumptions, known as the “Four R’s”: Realization about trauma and how it can affect people and groups, recognizing the signs of trauma, having a system which can respond to trauma, and resisting re-traumatization. Smiling when discussing trauma is a way to minimize the traumatic experience. It communicates the notion that what happened “wasn’t so bad.” This is a common strategy that trauma survivors use in an attempt to maintain a connection to caretakers who were their perpetrators. Trauma-informed teaching strategies foster predictability. They build a sense of stability for students, help cultivate self-worth, and give students opportunities to better regulate their emotions and improve their focus. Trauma Informed Practice is a strengths-based framework which is founded on five core principles – safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment as well as respect for diversity.
How does body language play a role in therapeutic communication?
Body language is the use of physical behaviour, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate non-verbally. Non-verbal behaviours can allow people to be at ease, build trust and connections with others. However, they can also confuse others, generate tension, and even create an uncomfortable environment. Body language is a range of nonverbal signals that you can use to communicate your feelings and intentions. These include your posture, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Your ability to understand and interpret other people’s body language can help you to pick up on unspoken issues or feelings. While body language covers a wide range of human expression, the most crucial aspects are posture, eye contact, and personal space. Awareness of our body language can allow us to send a consistent message. Smiling, making eye contact, using open gestures, and using good posture can bring up our level of self-confidence. Thus it is very important for a counsellor to improve their body language. Therapists may take patients’ nonverbal signs of distress as a cue to change topics, but this may be at the peril of the treatment. Therapists must monitor their own body language so as not to convey discomfort or disinterest, which may keep patients from sharing.
How does body language affect mental health?
Body language can not only influence our physical body and posture, but it can also influence how we are feeling. Having good posture has positive effects on depression, and helps us maintain higher levels of self-esteem and positivity when we are faced with stress. A positive body language is a type of non-verbal communication that puts us in a position of comfort, likeability and dignity. Also known as open body language, it helps us be open and approachable to others—helping them feel at ease during interactions or exchanges. Some of the things psychologists look for are your posture, hands, eye contact, facial expressions, and the position of your arms and legs. Your posture says a lot about your comfort level. Among the behaviors that indicate negative body language are: poor stance, avoiding eye contact, creating barriers, being clumsy with objects, inappropriate spacing, sweating, frowning, and overusing gestures.
What is trauma informed language?
The key in trauma-informed care is to approach each of your clients as if they have experienced trauma. The language that you use with your clients is important. Trauma-informed language includes using words that don’t trigger your clients. In fact, the word “trigger” can be triggering, for lack of a better word. Trauma-informed care seeks to: Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery; Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff; Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and. Trauma Informed Practice is a strengths-based framework which is founded on five core principles – safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment as well as respect for diversity. The trauma-informed approach is guided four assumptions, known as the “Four R’s”: Realization about trauma and how it can affect people and groups, recognizing the signs of trauma, having a system which can respond to trauma, and resisting re-traumatization. Talking about the trauma can be important Suggestions include: Allow the person to talk about what happened, even if they become upset. Just be calm yourself and listen carefully – getting upset too doesn’t help. Don’t insist on talking if the person doesn’t want to. Focus on expressing empathy, concern, and compassion. Don’t ask for specific or excessive details. It’s natural to want to know more and understand the “whys” of a traumatic event. Sometimes asking “why do you think this happened?” can be construed as victim-blaming or doubting their experience.
How do you communicate with trauma?
Use engaging eye contact and positive body language. Ask open-ended questions that answer the who, what, when, where and how of topics being discussed. Avoid interruptions, judgment and trying to fix things. Focus on behaviors and not the person. Awareness of our body language can allow us to send a consistent message. Smiling, making eye contact, using open gestures, and using good posture can bring up our level of self-confidence. Thus it is very important for a counsellor to improve their body language. Pay attention to proximity Proximity is the distance between you and the other person. Pay attention to how close someone stands or sits next to you to determine if they view you favorably. Standing or sitting in close proximity to someone is perhaps one of the best indicators of rapport.