In a recent interview with Lauren Auer featured on MysticMag, a renowned platform for exploring diverse perspectives on healing and spirituality, she shared the transformative journey that led her to specialize in traumatic abuse therapy.
Lauren’s passion ignited during her undergraduate internship at a juvenile detention center, where she witnessed the profound, unaddressed trauma experienced by many young individuals. This revelation fueled her pursuit of a master’s degree in clinical counseling, and her subsequent diverse experiences at a domestic violence shelter and rape crisis agency provided a comprehensive understanding of trauma’s impact across different life stages.
In this blog post, we delve into Lauren’s therapeutic approach, prioritization of safety and trust, insights into common challenges faced by survivors, and the specific modalities she finds beneficial in aiding the recovery from traumatic abuse.
Join us as we explore the depth of Lauren Auer’s expertise in navigating the complex landscape of trauma healing through the lens of her MysticMag interview.
How did you develop an interest in specializing as a traumatic abuse therapist?
During my undergraduate program as a criminal justice major, I interned at a juvenile detention center. The experience was eye-opening as I witnessed the profound trauma many of these kids had endured, often left unaddressed. This realization fueled my passion for trauma work. I pursued a master’s degree in clinical counseling and began my journey at an agency providing trauma therapy for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. I also worked at a women’s domestic violence shelter and later at a rape crisis agency. These diverse experiences offered a comprehensive understanding of how trauma affects people across different life stages and magnitudes.
Can you briefly describe your approach to helping survivors of traumatic abuse in your therapy sessions?
Understanding the brain’s function during traumatic events is pivotal to my approach. I view all trauma work through the lens of this foundational understanding. Traumatic events shift our brains into survival and emotional response modes, bypassing the logical prefrontal cortex. Talk therapy, which engages those logical parts, may not be sufficient. In my sessions, I emphasize somatic healing, educate clients about their brain and nervous system, and help them connect with the deeper impact of trauma. Building safety in the body is a crucial aspect of the healing process.
How do you prioritize creating a safe and trusting environment for clients during therapy sessions?
Safety and trust form the bedrock of my therapeutic relationships. I prioritize giving clients full control over the direction of our sessions, what they want to discuss, and what they prefer not to address. Establishing and maintaining this safety involves open communication, regularly discussing what clients desire more or less in therapy, and being receptive to any concerns or needs they express.
In your experience, what are common challenges that survivors of traumatic abuse face, and how do you address them in therapy?
Addressing the challenges faced by survivors of traumatic abuse isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Each individual’s experience and responses are unique. It’s crucial to help clients recognize the specific ways trauma manifests in their lives. Whether it’s apparent in outward success or challenges, understanding the individuality of their experience is key. Embracing all emotions and experiences without judgment allows clients to truly know themselves and embark on the path to healing.
Are there specific therapeutic modalities or interventions that you find particularly beneficial for clients recovering from traumatic abuse?
I incorporate EMDR therapy and brain spotting, both somatic-based techniques rooted in the neuroscience of trauma. These methods target the brain regions storing trauma, providing a transformative alternative to traditional talk therapy. Additionally, I use polyvagal therapy to help clients connect with their own sense of safety and understand how their body responds in various scenarios. Internal Family Systems Therapy is another modality I often employ, offering a lens to explore and accept different parts of oneself, fostering judgment-free understanding and facilitating true healing.
Find out more at: www.steadfastcounseling.com
