A Timeline of Trauma-Informed Therapy That helped Me Heal from C-PTSD

Timeline of Main Events & Concepts

This timeline is not strictly chronological in the sense of specific dates, but rather a sequence of key developments and ideas presented in the documents, placed in a logical order.

Early Research & Recognition of Childhood Trauma

• Mid-20th Century & Before:

• Recognition of the damaging effects of physical and sexual abuse in children begins to emerge. Work by researchers such as Finkelhor and Browne (1985), Beitchman et al. (1992), Hibbard, Ingersoll, & Orr (1990), and Nagy et al. (1994) begin to document these effects.

• Studies on the long term effects of child sexual abuse (Finkelhor & Browne, 1985; Beitchman, 1992).

• Studies on behavioral risk and child abuse among adolescents (Hibbard, Ingersoll, & Orr, 1990).

• Comparison of risky health behaviors of sexually active, sexually abused, and abstaining adolescents (Nagy, 1994).

• Theories of person centered therapy develop, by Carl Rogers, emphasizing empathy and understanding the client's perspective.

• Heinz Kohut defines empathy as vicarious introspection, highlighting the importance of understanding the client's inner life.

• Early research explores the link between alcohol abuse in parents and childhood issues (Zeitlen, 1994).

• Studies on identifying substance abuse in maltreating families (Dore, Doris, & Wright, 1995).

• Research into childhood adversity, parental stress, and depression in negligent mothers (Ethier, Lacharite, & Couture, 1995).

• Studies on family violence and mental health (McCloskey, Figueredo, & Koss, 1995)

• Studies on the association between family violence and violent offending among incarcerated boys (Spaccarelli, Coatsworth, & Bowden, 1995).

• Research into familial risk factors for adolescent suicide (Brent et al., 1994).

• Studies on the effect of sexual abuse and physical punishment on suicidality in college women (Bryant, Range, 1995).

• 1990's:The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study was first conducted in the early 1970's by Felitti et al., establishing a strong correlation between childhood trauma and later health problems; however, it began to get more attention in the late 1990's as additional studies were conducted. This includes various forms of abuse, household dysfunction, and neglect. This shows clear statistical links between adverse childhood experiences and chronic health problems. The percentages of people reporting each category of ACE and how they overlap with each other, is documented. Links between an elevated ACE score and various health risks are identified, including obesity, lack of physical activity, depression, suicide, alcohol/drug abuse, STDs, heart problems, stroke, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, skeletal fractures, hepatitis, and poor self-rated health are noted.

• Studies like NHANES (1996) begin to be used in research, including the ACE study.

• Statistical analysis methods (such as those used in SAS Procedures Guide (1990) become standard practice in research.

Development of Trauma-Informed Approaches

Early 2000s & Beyond:

• Dr. Peter Levine's work on Somatic Experiencing and titration emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma through the body's nervous system, introducing the concept of regulating the nervous system with titrated exposures. He focuses on how small doses of sensory experience can reorganize the nervous system.

• Research on forgiveness and the impact of withholding grudges is further investigated (Witvliet, Ludwig, & Vander Laan, 2001; Witvliet et al., 2007).

• Development of Forgiveness Therapy as a clinical intervention, showing a positive impact in cases of physical and sexual abuse. Enright Forgiveness Inventory for Children is created.

• Further understanding of polyvagal theory comes from Stephen Porges, exploring how the vagus nerve influences the autonomic nervous system. He notes the value of deep breathing in down-regulating the nervous system, and the effect of co-regulation.

  
  

  Mid-2000s & Onward:

• Richard Schwartz develops the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, viewing the psyche as composed of various "parts" with unique roles, and that there is a core "Self" with healing qualities. He uses mindful dialogs with inner parts to facilitate healing and change.

• Focus on "unblending" from parts, gaining perspective.

  
  

  Late 2010's & Onward:

• Increased focus on memory reconsolidation techniques is explored.

• The concept of the brain as a "meaning-making machine" is emphasized in this process, as is the importance of connecting a person's body memory to the present.

• Emphasis on being an objective observer of oneself in order to construct "new body memories".

• Trauma is increasingly understood to cause permanent changes in brain structure and functioning, comparable to traumatic brain injury (as discussed by Bobbi L. Parish).

• The effects of prolonged trauma on the brain, including changes in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus are further understood.

• Hypnotherapy methods are further refined, focusing on subconscious work to address root causes.

• This involves befriending inner parts, accepting them, and updating them from the past.

• Growing awareness of the importance of empathy in healing, and the process of creating a space of safety and trust.

• Emphasis on avoiding "spiritual bypassing", or avoiding the emotional work necessary for healing.

• Focus on "reframing beliefs" and "reconsolidating memories" for improved well being.

• Emphasis on recognizing where "core wounds" come from, and how to heal the wounds.

• The concepts of self-forgiveness and self-responsibility without judgment or blame are recognized as important components of healing.

Present (around 2020) Ongoing:

• Integration of multiple approaches (hypnosis, IFS, Quantum healing) in therapeutic practices (as shown in Christine Knight's work).

• Development of online programs to reach wider audiences, building communities, and providing accessible tools and support.

• Focus on shifting mindsets, identifying limiting beliefs, and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their healing.

• Recognition that we are injured in relationship, and also heal in relationship.

• Emphasis on recognizing triggers as a "trailhead" to deeper understanding.

• Exploring how concepts such as forgiveness and gratitude can affect our DNA and healing.

• Developing communication tools and practices to improve relationships, both inner and outer.

• Continuing exploration of boundary work, and how to create "safe containers" for healing.

• Developing skills and exercises to calm the nervous system through practices such as breathwork.

• Use of compassionate witnessing as a way to co-regulate individuals.

• Recognition of the importance of "circling", or deep witnessing, to uncover blind spots and deepen understanding.

• Realization that accountability is not blame.

• Emphasis on the need for muscle memory and consistency in healing.

  
  

Cast of Characters

Here's a list of the main people mentioned, with brief biographies derived from the sources:

• Carl Rogers: A psychologist known for developing person-centered therapy, which emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and understanding the client's subjective experience. He was also known to use physical touch to show his empathy for clients.

  
  

• Heinz Kohut: A psychoanalyst who explored the concept of empathy in therapy, defining it as "vicarious introspection". He differed from Rogers by emphasizing the need to maintain an objective stance and was conflicted about the value of physical touch in therapy.

  
  

• Dr. Felitti: A researcher involved in the original ACE Study. He sent an email in Spring 2018 that is cited in the documents.

  
  

• Dr. Robert Scaer: A neurologist and traumatologist whose work suggests any traumatic life event can cause neurophysiological changes in the brain, similar to those caused by chronic abuse.

  
  

• Bobbi L. Parish, MA, CTRC-S: An expert in trauma recovery coaching, who emphasizes that trauma causes brain damage, creating changes in areas such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus.

  
  

• Dr. Peter Levine: A stress consultant who developed the concept of Somatic Experiencing and titration to heal trauma by addressing the body's nervous system and its response to threat.

  
  

• Stephen Porges: A researcher who developed polyvagal theory, emphasizing the role of the vagus nerve in regulating the autonomic nervous system and social engagement. He highlights the importance of deep breathing in down-regulating the nervous system, and the effect of co-regulation.

  
  

• Richard Schwartz, PhD: A therapist who developed the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, viewing the psyche as composed of various "parts" with unique roles, and that there is a core "Self" with healing qualities. He promotes dialog with parts to facilitate healing.

  
  

• Ruth Buczynski, PhD: A professional who combines a commitment to mind/body medicine with a savvy business sense. She often interviews Richard Schwartz in the documents provided.

  
  

• Christine Knight, MA, CTHT, IFS: I now integrate the most helpful techniques for me: hypnotherapy, IFS, and nervous system regulation and bring this mix to my clients. I am now so grateful for my (very long) journey testing out all different kinds of techniques, because I can meet my client right where they are and give the best recommendations to guide them to next steps on their journey. I'm uniquely the one to help you heal because my trauma and pain has spanned so many different areas of life (childhood and adulthood) that there's nothing that you can tell me that would surprise me nor cause me to judge you. I have walked this path. It's not easy - but it is worth it. I am living proof that healing your core wounds and buried hidden beliefs will impact every single area of your life in a positive way.

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