Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Slowing the Mind

So, our therapy session yesterday seemed light--almost useless at the time, but it was not.

TT used Somatic Experience treatment yesterday, which basically entailed DD laying on a table/bed while TT laid his hands under her shoulders and gave her some verbal feedback about twitches and twinges in her body. This is supposedly past trauma meeting "road blocks" in her body. Pretty soon, she became attuned to the twitches as well and they would announce the latest twitch in unison. She slowed her mind and focused on her body and what it was doing without her even knowing. At the end of the hour she was very relaxed and able to think and speak a little more thoughtfully--not quite so hyper and spastic. He was able to quiet her mind a bit and allow her to make more mature decisions in this moment.

OK - so an hour of watching her lay on a table didn't seem like much. We were starting to doze off ourselves, but the effects lasted into the evening. She was able to explain herself, her actions, and her thoughts with a little more ease and we were able to follow along a little better. Homework went a little smoother. The best example--at almost 9:00 PM - bedtime--she came downstairs, grabbed the vacuum and headed back upstairs. Expecting some bizarre, circular, explanation I cautiously asked her what she was doing. Of course her first response was, "I'm going to vacuum my room." So I had to ask the clarifying question of "Why" are you vacuuming at 9:00 PM. She actually told the truth. She stated that she somehow broke her blush (make-up) and that is somehow got all over the place.

Knowing that she destroyed the carpet in her room a long time ago there was no sense of urgency to get it cleaned or to wonder how bad it really was, there was just the opportunity to thank her for her honesty and let her go on her merry way. Which I did. And she did.

May not seem like much, but it showed that she finally felt safe enough to tell me the truth and because of her truth there was no escalation and the night ended peacefully. Hopefully we can continue this trend and hopefully slowing her mind more will allow her to make more good decisions when it comes to telling us the truth.

Small victory with a big impact. :) Oh - and she got all of the blush up from the carpet, too!

10 comments:

Angie Feldman said...

Wow - she took ownership of her make-up, her room, and her actions. Most excellant!!

CK Photo said...

Progress is progress. Wonderful news.

Julianna said...

that is awesome! glad to hear that TT is really getting through to her

hoopy said...

that's great! what a feeling!

Lynette said...

I am amazed at what is going on with the therapy. She may never be "cured", but just being able to live together more easily is amazing.

BTW, you have been tagged, go to my blog for the rules.

Just Me said...

It is wonderful to read your updates on how the changes are happening...step by step!

Unknown said...

That is wonderful news! I just am amazed at the strides the TT is able to get her to take!

Paula said...

That is the best thing I've read in a long time! I hope it continues on the course it's going.

Unknown said...

Cyn - that sounds wonderful!!!!

tigger said...

I'm so happy to read promising things!! Sounds like this is really getting through to her- It's time for an update!