CHTA continues community training classes
Holiday coping event to be held Dec. 10, RSVP by Nov. 29
Following its successful August event, the Center for Healing Trauma and Attachment (CHTA) continued its educational community training classes this fall.
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, guests sat for a presentation at CHTA called “The Neurobiology of Betrayal.”
Doreen Hills, the founder and executive director of CHTA, led the event. She connected how betrayal not only affects one’s emotional state, but also causes a literal change in one’s brain chemistry because trauma is held in both the mind and body. Specifically, the limbic part of the brain is affected. Because of this effect, both physiological and psychological healing are needed to recover from betrayal.
Hills outlined multiple forms of betrayal, including but not limited to: lying, gossiping, hiding addiction, disrespecting, divulging confidential information entrusted to you, mental emotional abuse, intimacy betrayal (cheating physically or emotionally), ghosting, gaslighting and poaching (in a corporate setting).
Hills discussed possible stress responses in both the hyper-aroused and dissociative states. In the hyper-aroused state, one chooses between flight, fight, freeze, fawn or flock. In the dissociative state, one submits or numbs oneself as a coping mechanism.
She also discussed how leaving past traumas and betrayal situations unhealed can result in complex grief and loss, posttraumatic stress (PTS) or physical illnesses. Suffering from PTS can cause confusion, impair decisionmaking skills, and/or result in insomnia.
As the class came to a close, guests were able to acknowledge anxiety and
distress in their bodies, learn and practice a few new grounding techniques, and practice a cognitive shift from the triggering event itself to what can be controlled regarding that event.
In addition to her personal recommendation of reading the Bible, Hills provided the following book recommendations for those who wish to understand more about betrayal and its effects:
•“Living and Loving After Betrayal” by Steven Stosny, PhD
•The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) articles by Bruce Perry
•“The Polyvagal Theory” by Stephen Porges
•“Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma” by Janina Fischer, PhD
•works by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD and Robin Shaprio, LCSW
The last of five yoga sessions and stretch and Pilates sessions at CHTA will take place next week.
The final yoga session will be held Monday, Nov. 1, from 6:15 to 7 p.m., and the final stretch and Pilates session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. Each session costs $20.
The final training event of the year, called “Coping with the Hustle and Bustle of the Season,” will help attendees prepare for the stress of the holidays. It will take place on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP to Doreen Hills by Monday, Nov. 29, to secure a spot. The $30 entry fee can be paid at the door.
Events will resume in the new year with the “Connect to Effect” open dialogue event on Jan. 24, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m.
To RSVP for the Dec. 10 holiday coping event, Doreen Hills can be contacted directly by email at doreen_hills@yahoo.com or by phone at 970-3974609.
General questions about CHTA and its programs or about employment opportunities can also be directed to Hills.
Hills is currently looking to hire long-term counselors and is able to help train and assist with CEU (Continuing Education Unit) certification. Visit chtainc.org or stop by the CHTA office in person at 206 Clayton St. in Brush for more information.