Great video on an introduction to Trauma Informed Care. Please review AIHCP’s numerous behavioral health and healthcare certifications
Author: Mark Moran
Trauma Counseling: Regulating Trauma and Emotion During Counseling
Many times in counseling when discussing trauma, emotions can emerge tied to the unresolved trauma that can de-regulate a client/victim/survivor. Discussing issues of abuse, or loss, or traumatic memories whether current or in the past can cause individuals suffering from unresolved trauma to dissociate from the present, flashback to the past, or enter into states of emotional dysregulation. Licensed counselors who specialize in trauma care and crisis intervention have strong understandings to utilize techniques to help ground and contain negative emotions associated with trauma. Unlicensed mental health professionals in crisis response or even pastoral care may sometimes come across individuals who also need these same techniques due to acute crisis or trauma. It is hence important to understand how to help individuals suffering from PTSD, acute trauma, or unresolved trauma with the appropriate techniques to help victims or survivors find stabilization. This article will focus more on in session counseling and long term trauma care than immediate psychological first aid which is addressed in other blogs. Primarily, we will discuss the therapeutic relationship’s window of tolerance with a victim/survivor, how to expand this window, and review various techniques found in grounding and containment to help others find calm and peace.
Please also review AIHCP’s Trauma Informed Care Program, as well as its Crisis Intervention program and also all of AIHCP’s Healthcare Certifications.
Window of Tolerance
In counseling, individuals can experience emotional dysregulation due to unresolved past trauma. Simple triggers of retelling the story, to similar images in a room, or a familiar scent can reset a person and dissociate, flashback, or cause intense states of hyperarousal or hypoarousal. Compton explains that individuals can experience two types of dysregulation. In hyperarousal, the person becomes angry, anxious, hypervigilant, or impulsive (2024, p. 208). Compton points out that with hypoarousal the opposite occurs when the person experiences withdraw, numbness and lack of emotion even in some cases to a state of dissociation (2024. p. 209). In the fight or flight response, counselors will see anger and anxiety, but during the freeze response, counselors will see the shutdown. These are natural ways the body and brain responds to past trauma. The key is how easily can one’s system return to a state or emotional regulation when dealing with these triggers or reminders that cause emotions to emerge. Individuals in trauma can be stuck in a variety of phases, some may exist in a state where they feel no safety anywhere, others may exist in a state where safety may not be an issue but trust is totally lacking. It is the goal of the counselor through the therapeutic relationship to help victims again find phases of regained power, regained self esteem and eventually the phase where they can again reintegrate with society and form healthy relationships. It is within the Window of Tolerance of a person’s emotional state where this healing can occur.
The Window of Tolerance is term phrased by Ogden, Minton and Pain that refers to the optimal window of time between hyper and hypoarousal states in which a person can experience balance (Compton, 2024, p. 209). Within this period of time, therapeutic counseling can occur where the trauma can be discussed and better ways to cope can learned by the client. During this time as well, the reasoning part of the brain as opposed to the emotional part has more awareness to communicate, reason, learn and grow (Compton, 2024, p. 209). Counselors can help clients learn how to operate and heal within the window but also learn ways to expand this window in real world settings through a variety of skills. Counselors can help clients co-regulate their emotions within the window and expand it through supplying empathy, support, a safe and secure environment and also preventing re-trauma by limiting or eliminating potential triggers.
Counselors during this time through the therapeutic relationship can help with focusing on the needs of the client and being aware of discomfort or physical manifestations associated with mental discomfort. Compton points out that the term “interoception” best describes the ability of a counselor to have this type of awareness of what is happening inside someone based on what the body is displaying or doing in the moment (2024, p. 196). this is why watching for non-verbal cues is key in counseling during the selective attention skill of focusing. During this important window, counselors should engage their clients. By focusing, reflecting and providing context, counselors can help survivors understand their trauma better (2024, p. 197). In addition to engaging, counselors need to help clients process emotion and then help them reflect on it. The biggest part of processing is not only discussing it, understanding it, and reframing it but to also learn how to manage it.
Tracking and Identifying Emotional States
Within trauma counseling, it is important to utilize the window of tolerance but it is also equally important to track the client’s body and behavior for signs of either hyperarousal or hypoarousal. It is also important to track oneself, since sometimes the stories and events relayed can even shock a counselor and cause deregulation within. It is important to note that most individuals exist within a normal operating existence of balance when viewing safety and conditions. The securing of safe environments and the scanning by the brain to ensure safety within a environment is referred to as neuroception. A person in a calm and secure state is not activating the sympathetic nervous system but is existing in normal state where the cognitive functions of the brain are operating. When the sympathetic nervous system strikes it can close down cognitive functioning and increase emotional responses. Fight, flight or freeze, or even fawn can emerge as reactions to this. Interesting enough in cases of hypoarousal, the parasympathetic system, the calming aspect of our nervous system, can deactivate an individual due to the intensity of the trauma or recalling the trauma. When working with survivors or victims, merely recalling traumatic events can cause a hyper or hypoarousal response. This can affect healing and reduce the window time tolerance to discuss the trauma with the cognitive functions operating.
Tracking emotions and signs is hence an important skill for a counselor in any session but even more so when helping individuals in intense grief, loss, crisis or intense trauma. In states of hyperarousal a person will display various physical and also behavioral symptoms. In essence the person cannot calm down. Clients in hyperarousal can display anxiety, irritability, panic or rage. They may have racing thoughts, or an inability to concentrate and may display signs of hypervigilance during the session. Physically they have increased heartrate, muscle tension, clenched jaw, closed fists, display sweating or have a racing heart rate. Behaviorally, they can display an overall restlessness which may be affecting their sleep and impulse control. They may fidget and move and express emotions easily during the session. This can lead outside the counseling room to regular life in feelings of being on edge, easily irritated, over-thinking social interactions, and feeling uneasy in social settings (Mindset Explained, 2025).
When tracking, a counselor also needs to track possible signs of hypoarousal. Hypoarousal can be induced by either the sympathetic or parasympathetic. It is usually tied to parasympathetic functions that relax the body but in these cases it shuts the body down as a self defense mechanism to the trauma or even thought of the past event. A person experiencing hypoarousal will display detachment, numbness and seem withdrawn and lacking motivation. Cognitively, they may be slow to speak and appear confused and lacking details about events. Physically they will seem lethargic and have a slower heart rate, display fatigue, or over relaxed muscle state. During a session, they may zone out or seem distracted. Behaviorally this can lead to intense isolation outside the counseling room. Many may have a hard time getting out of bed, or detach from loved ones, feel powerless and lose interest in things they like to do (Mindset Explained, 2025).
In both cases, counselors need to be aware of these signs but also know when to utilize activation strategies for hypoarousal or settling techniques for hyperarousal. In these cases, settling or activating becomes the choice a counselor needs to make. In states of hypoarousal activities that help the person activate the nervous system include helping the client begin to move, via stretching, or walking around can be a first good start. Other ways to activate include grounding techniques that are tied to touch and sense, such a the feeling of a cold object or ice cube, or the splash of water on the face. Other forms of breathwork, as well as cognitive activation through counting or labeling things in the room can also aid the client. Sometimes music can be helpful, or even the scent of a candle (Mindset Explained, 2025).
With hyperarousal, the concern is to settle, not activate. Hence, breathing exercises, ground techniques such as holding something, or touching something, as well as sensory and cognitive ways to help the person remain in the present. Progressive muscle relation techniques as well as guided meditation and visualization can help a person induce the parasympathetic system as well. We will discuss more types of ground and containment strategies later in this article. What is optimal is a stable state of being. Stable and emotionally regulated states allow the window of tolerance to be utilized in therapeutic sessions. Healthy states permit better focus, cognitive functions, stronger relationships, better sleep and better energy levels to cope with stressors and potential triggers (Mindset Explained, 2025).
One thing to consider and be aware of is that while helping others, counselors can also enter into various states of hyperarousal or hypoarousal. The term reciprocal defense mobilization is the mirroring of emotional states. While ideally the counselor is the co-regulator in a session providing energy, trust and security to the person, sometimes horrible stories or emotional breakdowns can affect the counselor. In fact, past trauma of the counselor can also be triggered in counseling. This type of vicarious trauma can have acute affects on the session but also long term affects and burnout for the counselor. If a counselor is affected via hyper or hypoarousal, the ability to listen, exercise empathy, or help the person heal can be at risk. Hence counselors may sometimes need to activate or settle themselves. It is harder though for a counselor to express these feelings or exhibit certain strategies while counseling and because of this counselors need to be able to subtly activate or settle themselves. In cases of hypoarousal, a counselor may notice one’s own signs of shutting down and look to activate by clenching one’s fist or hand or shifting or tapping one’s foot. A counselor can also discuss both parties standing up and stretching as a ploy to not only help the client but oneself. A break or a pause can be helpful for both client and counselor in these cases. During hyperarousal, a counselor can label, or count, or focus on one’s own breathing.
One should consider basic strategies to manage both hyperarousal and hypoarousal in daily life. In regards to hypo, utilize frequent exercise if possible, alone, if public gyms are unsettling. Utilize breathing and mindfulness, and create and stick to routines that give a sense of accomplishment and work on connecting with others, especially those who are closest. Even if a short phone call or text! For hyperarousal, one will utilize more grounding techniques in daily life which will be discussed below and also employ relaxation and meditation, as well as with creating a calmer environment with music, or scented candles (Echowave, 2025).
Grounding and Containment
A person during counseling who becomes hyperarousal needs various help to manage his or her emotions within the session. These skills and techniques can help not only help them regulate and expand the window of tolerance in session but also be applied later to out of session in the world experiences. The two most common types of skills taught in counseling for individuals with unresolved trauma and PTSD are grounding and containment.
Grounding techniques can be sensory, cognitive or somatic in nature. In sensory grounding, the counselor utilizes the five senses to help a survivor find placement in the present. In regards to the sense of touch, it can be as a simple as feeling the feet on the ground or the soft touch of the couch on the finger tips. A counselor should help the survivor with calming words describing the sensation one feels as the fingers sway across the texture of the couch, or the firm feel of the foot against the hard floor. In some extreme cases, ice in a person’s hand can be used to help a person find the present. In all cases, the sense of touch should be used especially carefully when counselor or client come into contract via a tap on the shoulder or a hug because these things could possibly be a trigger to the prior abuse (Compton, 2024, p. 214). With sight, the counselor can direct the client to note anything in the room they see and what color it may be or details one may not have noticed before. The scent of smell can help calm through oils, incense or candles that can help a person find calm but again be aware of your client’s history and scents that could trigger him or her. With taste, sometimes, one can focus on a piece of candy available and the taste of it, or imagine a particular dessert. The counselor gently inputs into the mind these scenes to help the client find regulation (Compton, 2024, p. 212). From a cognitive approach, a counselor can have a client count from a higher number down to zero to exert awareness of the now or have the client name things within the room to help the person find connection to the present. From a somatic approach, breathing exercises can be employed to help grounding. In fact, breathing exercises are sometimes the first utilized to help a person calm. Deep breathing initiate the parasympathetic nervous system which reverses the affects of the fight or flight response. The deep inhale and exhaling can lower the heart rate and help a person find calmness. Usually the breathing is done with some type of visualization. One common theme is balloon breathing where the client is told to imagine a balloon inside oneself and as one inhales to imagine the balloon inflating and while exhaling to imagine the balloon deflating (Compton, 2024. p. 212). The breathing should be coming from the abdomen and not the chest since chest breathing is usually associated with anxiety. To ensure proper breathing, one can tell the client to put his or her hand on ones chest and stomach and see which part of the body is moving more. One can also utilize touching the shoulders to see if the shoulders are rising which is indicator of chest breathing.
While grounding helps a survivor find the present and remain engaged, containment skills can help clients learn to control uneasy emotions. The tool of containment helps clients break away from traumatic memories and feelings (Compton, 2024, p. 215). Containment tools include visualization and various expressive arts. Most of these tools are also utilized with breathing techniques and can be used in session as well as in the real world. When working with clients expressive arts are similar to play therapy with children. They can help a person find calm when discussing difficult issues. Compton references vertical regulation as way for the survivor to draw lines of different colors up and down a page while deep breathing. Other expressive arts include dance and music to help with hypoarousal to push energy into the person. Liturgical or spiritual music can be utilized if it provides the necessary calm, or secular music that the client enjoys (2024, p. 211). Creative writing is another expressive art used to contain emotion. In expressive writing, one can write a note to oneself, or a parent, or God, or anyone the client freely wishes to write too. The message can be a positive one that employs safety and security (2024, p. 212). Visualization and breathing remain one of the most used containment practices in sessions. With guided breathing and the visual scripts from the counselor, the client can visualize safe and secure places when facing trauma memories or uncontrolled emotions. One classic visualization technique is imagining the a container in which the client can put all the unwanted emotions into and cover with a lid. The counselor guides the client to understand that any intrusive thoughts at any time can be stored in this container, box, or chest when needed (Compton, 2024, p.216). The key is to discover a safe, secure and calm place. Many times counselors will lead a guided visualization of a place the client finds peaceful. Whether a cabin in the mountains, or a spot on the beach, the counselor can take the client back to that place or peaceful place in time. During which the client will close his or her eyes, breath deeply and follow the voice of the counselor describing the calm associated with these places and times. Butterfly hugs are also a tool that can be utilized during visualization in which the client is taught to hug oneself and allow their hands to tap their back in assurance and calmness (Compton, 2024, p. 217).
In all of these exercises, if the person is spiritual or religious, spiritual aspects and words can be utilized on a case by case basis to help the person find calm. For some, spirituality may be beneficial but for others who were exposed to spiritual abuse, it may not be warranted. If spirituality is accepted and desired, sometimes clients can breathe in with a statement about God and breathe out with a statement of safety, such as “God is good” and “I am safe”. In other cases, scriptural references that the client enjoys can be utilized from whatever sacred book he or she adheres to (Compton, 2024, p. 218).
In all cases, help the client be in control. The purpose it to help the client learn to regulate and being in control is key, especially when the survivor is not in session. In such cases, when introducing breathing techniques or new tools, instead of dictating, or saying “do this”, utilize phrases such as “would this be helpful to do this?”. This reduces distress and gives autonomy to the survivor who in many cases, if abused, was told what to do numerous times.
Conclusion
Many situations in counseling trauma victims/survivors require helping them to learn to regulate emotions. These skills are important both in session and out in the real world. In session, it helps extend the window of tolerance which then can be applied to real world situations. Skills in grounding and containment help clients with hyper/hypoarousal and maintain control and learn to deal with the symptoms of trauma in a positive fashion. These tools in counseling also allow for the discussion, reflection and processing of the unresolved trauma. It is important to remember that when treating trauma, it is a marathon not a sprint. These skills take time to implement and the body and mind need time to heal.
Please also review AIHCP’s Trauma Informed Care Program, as well as its many healthcare certifications in crisis intervention, grief counseling, stress management and Christian spiritual counseling. All programs are open to qualified healthcare and mental health professionals seeking four year certifications to utilize within the scope of their practice. The healthcare programs are online and independent study and have mentorship as needed.
Resource
Compton, L & Patterson, T (2024). “Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing
“Hypo-Arousal and Hyper-Arousal: Nervous System Dysregulation”. (2025). Mindset Explained. Access here
“Feeling Hypo or Hyper Aroused How to Spot the Subtle Signs”. (2025). Echowave. Access here
Additional Blogs from AIHCP
PTSD-click here
Counseling Clients through Crisis, Danger and Harm-click
Additional Resources
“13 Grounding Techniques for When You Feel Overwhelmed”. Cleveland Clinic. Access here
Schuldt, W. “Grounding Techniques”. Therapist Aid. Access here
Sutton, J. (2022). “7 Best Grounding Tools and Techniques to Manage Anxiety”. PositivePsychology.com. Access here
Caporuscio, J. (2024). “Step-by-step guide on grounding techniques”. Medical News Today. Access here
Gale, A. (2025). “Hyperarousal vs. Hypoarousal”. Carepatron. Access here
Alpern, P. (2025). “Is the freeze response a form of hyperarousal or hypoarousal?”. The Trauma Journal. Access here
“Feeling Hypo or Hyper Aroused How to Spot the Subtle Signs”.
Counseling Clients Through Crisis, Danger and Harm
In counseling, especially Trauma Informed Care counseling, counselors will not always discuss issues of the past. Trauma from the past can scar emotionally and create many present issues, but many crisis situations exist also in the present. Counselors or social workers or pastoral caregivers may discover clients that are in distress due to day to day threats and dangers. This creates a difficult situation for counselors to discern legal and ethical obligations to protect someone from harm versus situations that while potential dangerous are not imminent and require the empathetic and therapeutic relationship to resolve. New counselors have especially deeper concerns in this murky waters, while more seasoned counselors have a better understanding when and how to report, hospitalize or walk with a person in crisis that is facing danger or harm. In this blog article, we will review various situations and how to deal with them, as well as important concepts in the therapeutic relationship that can help respect the autonomy and dignity of the person while also protecting the person.
Please also review AIHCP’s multiple certification programs in mental and behavioral health, including programs in Crisis Intervention, Grief Counseling, Christian Counseling and Trauma Informed Care.
The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship in Resolving Crisis
Cochran points out that wrong decisions in counseling can have drastic consequences in helping those in crisis. This means that following ethical and legal protocols are key, but assessing imminent danger and potential danger is a key skill. Furthermore, even if as a counselor, one prescribes and writes down a plan for one to follow, there is never guarantee a client will listen. Many refuse to listen, or if feel coerced into doing something, fail to completely fulfill it because they do not believe in the course of action (2021, p. 222). This is where not only discernment and assessment come into play but also understanding the dynamic role of the therapeutic relationship and how it can help a client in potential danger or even in some cases, imminent danger, a way to properly find safety without violating the person’s autonomy. It is far more purposeful to help a person not only escape crisis and danger but understand how to progress and continue to heal and find better ways to to avoid it in the future.
Within the therapeutic relationship, Cochran emphasizes instilling within the client self responsibility that preserves dignity and integrity of the client with less restrictive interventions (2021, p. 222). Why? Simply because this allows the person to own the situation, understand the danger, be proactive in finding safety and share in the decision making process for finding that safety or care. If this means convincing someone who is suicidal to admit oneself to a psych unit at a hospital, or help a person report an abuser, it is also best to guide and help the client make decisions with the counselor so the client can be fully on board. When clients doubt, or question, or feel forced, they many times abandon the course of action and this is why the therapeutic relationship is so critical in helping clients escape danger. Of course, unfortunately, there are cases where the client refuses to listen to reason, or refuses to report a crime, or puts oneself in harms way. This is when a counselor reluctantly must obey legal obligations as a licensed counselor to protect a client. Obviously these situations involve imminent danger, criminal activity, and a client unwilling to work with the counselor in a plan of action. In addition to trying to utilize the counseling relationship to foster the best plans, it is also critical for the counselor to employ unconditional positive regard for the client and not just merely hear the situation, but to accept the person and the feelings behind it. While one may be expressing self harm, or threat of being hurt by others, or hurting others, the counselor needs to employ empathy to help the person not only choose the best option but to also help the person heal. Instead of judging, the counselor needs to hear the pain to better help the person correct the story (Cochran, 2021, p. 223).
Cochran points out that these situations of imminent threat to a client are some of the most difficult ones for counselors (2021, p. 249). When dealing with suicidal clients, or domestic abuse victims, leave any counselors, much less new counselors feel a strong stress level when dealing with life and death. Cochran points out that one of the biggest fears is never being 100 percent sure. If a client completes a non-self harm agreement, a counselor can be left with a nervous feeling if the client will keep his or her word and not harm oneself. In addition, Cochran points out that many times, counselors can be preoccupied with liability. Rightfully so, liability is a key concern, and when necessary, legal actions need taken, but to focus solely on liability at the expense of the over-all situation and maintaining focus on the client, then larger errors can occur in the handling of a situation (2021, p. 252). In addition to rookie jitters, lack of self confidence or experience, many new counselors sometimes also fear coordination with other counselors and professionals. They may fear this may broach confidentiality but in many agencies, clients are seen by numerous other professionals and the seal of confidentiality is within the staff. In addition, many times, the discussions of imminent danger can be discussed with family, or other professionals due to legal laws (2021, p. 253-254). If within the therapeutic relationship, family or other professional’s opinions can be inserted into the session without taking control away from the client. These situations since they are so life altering sometimes need other minds and ideas and experiences to help provide the best outcome for the client. When the client is working with the team and following a plan, instead of fighting against it and being forced into something, then these are the best situations. Unfortunately sometimes, not all situations are ideal nor the existence of a therapeutic relationship’s existence.
Situations of Crisis that Can be Potentially or Imminent in Threat or Harm
Most situations of crisis that pose potential to imminent levels of harm include suicidal ideation, domestic violence and sexual abuse. It is always best to utilize a therapeutic relationship in fostering the best play of action as opposed to arbitrary decisions, albeit sometimes when clients refuse to accept themselves, drastic decisions that may not fix the problem long term, but at least protect the client short term must be applied.
In all situations, it is best to help clients make the plan and be part of it. Cochran points out that it may be tempting to take over and make it your plan for the client’s safety, but a counselor wants a client to have personal investment and ownership of a plan (2021, p. 225). In planning, Cochran also calls for these situations to specifics in each plans that looks at all pitfalls or “what ifs” to help a client navigate the dangers of the crisis. In addition, when a clients hint or speculate about things that may seem harmful, it is the duty of the counselor to error on the side of caution to broach the subject when necessary and even more so, say the words of “suicide”, or “abuse” if necessary to bring to the light the situation. If a counselor feels a dangerous situation was implied, it should be saved for the end of the session to counter, but within the next few minutes to redirect to what was said to have a clear understanding of the danger the client is facing (2021, p. 226).
The Situation of Suicidal Threats
Suicide is nothing to ignore. Many times, individuals dismiss these threats as attention seeking, or merely a state of momentary sadness. While sometimes they may be benign statements, counselors, nor anyone should ever under estimate a possible suicidal threat. Instead each needs to be taken seriously and with compassion and without judgement. Each statement needs confronted and completely understood to see if it is merely a statement, or a wish that has potential or imminent harm intended. Suicide assessment charts are common place in any counseling office. These guides help counselors assess and discern situations but also help counselors better work with those who feel this way.
Counselors when broaching the subject of suicide, need to identify a plan of the person. This plan entails why, when and how a person would kill oneself. By discussing the details of each plan, counselors and trauma informed care specialists can better ascertain if the risk is minimal and requires therapeutic counseling or if it does pose a true and valid threat. If it is a legitimate threat or desire, counselors need to determine the lethality of the plan. The how of one wishes to kill oneself can be very revealing. If one merely hopes to crash into a tree, or punch oneself, as opposed to shooting oneself, overdosing, or leaving a car running in a garage, then plans that involve less likely hood of death can be categorized as a lower risk level. However, if more lethal methods are described, then the plan needs to be taken far more seriously. Compounding the seriousness and lethality of the threat, counselors need to address if the means to carry out a plan is possible. If a client owns a gun, or has a script that he or she could overdose on, then the level of imminent threat becomes a reality.
Counselors, however, can look for other clues to see the mindset of a client. Clients may casually state I would like to kill myself, but it may hurt my family too much (Cochran, 2021, 229), or may state what would my baby do at home? These types of clues are good ways to open the mind of the client to the counselor to better assess and determine. In addition to preventative factors, counselors should look for future orientation (Cochran, 2021, p. 229). If a client speaks of chores, events, or work schedules in the next coming weeks, then it is a good sign of no imminent threat, but if clients dismiss schedules, or events, or show no care these things, then a more imminent harm conclusion is warranted. Another closely related clue to imminent threat is switch or sudden change in emotion about life. If a client suddenly cares nothing about family, hobbies, or sports, or whatever interest that anchored to his or her reality, then this is a sign of danger that a counselor should take seriously (Cochran, 2021, p. 229). In addition, a counselor should question the client on previous attempts of suicide. Those with previous attempts pose a more serious threat to themselves. Also, a counselor should discuss drug and alcohol abuse and the role it plays on inhibitions in regards to a person questioning life and whether to take it or not.
Through therapeutic counseling, the relationship in these conversations needs to end with some type of non-self harm contract. The contract should include a time table of security, as well as persons to call if one feels sad or depressed or intrusive thoughts of harming oneself appear. With this contract is safety planning, where the counselor attempts to receive from the client a promise of no self harm at least between sessions, as well as a call list of individuals that can help, as well as a promise to avoid substances that can limit inhibitions to prevent suicide (Cochran, 2021, p. 231). One of the most important aspects of a plan is also removing any means that may exist. If a person has access to a gun, then their is a promise to remove it, and if necessary facilitated through a family member. If prescription medications are available, then the scripts are removed from the home or access of the person.
Some plans may not be able to be completed merely between the word of a counselor and client. Some plans may need temporary hospitalization, or family intervention. It is best that these plans are accepted by the client. Hospitalization is important for individuals who cannot promise their own safety or commit to a plan. It is good during this plan to discuss how the process will occur and the potential costs. It may be helpful to to guide a client to the best facility to meet his or her needs. It is also best to include family in this decision but also to not be afraid to ask for professional peer advice. If a client is a threat to him or herself and refuses these measures, then unfortunately, the short term safety of the patient outweighs the therapeutic alliance (Cochran, 2021, p. 237). It is always the best to have a client on board. Good counseling and good relationships foster the trust for a client to follow the suggestion of a counselor he or she perceives as genuine and trustworthy. Unfortunately, many in mental health may only see a client once or twice or in an emergency situation and may be forced making the tough but right decision on the spot. It is however important to at least try to work with the client and empathetically guide them instead of stripping the person of all autonomy without conversation and empathy and respect.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse
A client who discloses sexual abuse or domestic violence poses a real ethical issue for some counselors. A counselor is ordered to report crimes of physical or sexual abuse. How it is reported is another thing. When joined together with the client in reporting physical abuse or sexual assault, a victim can retain autonomy and healing. A victim may have a difficult time reporting in confidence this horrific trauma and may have conflicting feelings for the perpetrator, or remain in intense fear, or have shame about the story becoming public. It is imperative to reflect these concerns with empathy and non-judgement but also reflect the imminent danger and legal responsibilities of the situation. In previous blogs, we have discussed the importance of safety, security and trust in trauma informed care and this is especially important here.
Situations that do not denote reporting that lack physical violence or sexual assault can be more tricky. There is definitely potential for harm and it may be imminent but has yet occurred. In cases of emotional and verbal abuse, a very careful plan must be construed that utilizes the strengths of the therapeutic relationship. Cochran points out that many relationships in crisis that carry emotional and verbal dysfunction may be unhappy but not necessarily imminent to harm (2021, p. 248). It is important for counselors to understand the underlying causes for the dysfunction, approach ways to reduce triggers by both parties, as well as ways to help them manage emotions. Counselors should also seek to understand the past history of violence, if any physical violence occurred in the past to help ascertain the situation and its lethality. Counselors may also suggest avoidance of high risk activities that lower inhibitions. The use of drugs and drinking can correlate with violence. Finally, whether, verbal or physical, anger in the home can be detrimental to children. Special considerations need to be discussed regarding what children hear and what they feel regarding the uneasy tension (Cochran, 2021, p. 249).
If a situation does not warrant reporting yet has potential or imminent possible harm scenarios, a plan needs developed that guarantees the safety of the client. Discussions on how to remove oneself from the situation, de-escalate, who to call, or where to possibly stay should all be highlighted. Counselors are there in the therapeutic relationship to discuss the possible hardships and issues that surround all decisions (Cochran, 2021, p. 249).
In some cases, the counselor may speaking with the offender. This may occur in solo sessions or couple counseling-The offender who admits to verbal or emotional abuse or to past incidents. In this therapeutic setting, the counselor is to display unconditional positive regard despite any disgust or disapproval. The point is this client or person has come for help. They may at first make excuses but through empathy and good counseling skills, a person can start to see what he or she is doing is wrong in the situation. This involves patience and no judgement to help facilitate the change necessary internally for the person to seek reform instead of being told to do something. The counselor can help these individuals identify their own triggers, as well as circumstances, or situations that affect them. The counselor can also identify if the client had been abused in the past and how to help the person heal and not pass on the same abuse. Plans can involve identifying triggers, avoiding substances, and seeking the necessary help that may be beyond individual counseling sessions (Cochran, 2021, p. 243).
Conclusion
Counseling is not always about past trauma or issues that do not pertain to present potential or imminent harm. Counselors need to understand their legal obligations when presented to report crimes or potential harm to a client or others, but they can also employ the therapeutic relationship which understands the pain of the individual and the distress of the entirety of the situation. Sometimes this involves helping the person come to the conclusion that direct help beyond counseling is required, other times it may involve a plan for non imminent or criminal threats to a person’s safety. The counselor in the therapeutic relationship manages the crisis with empathy but also respects the dignity and autonomy of the individual in coming to logical conclusions and safety plans that protect the individual and others. When a client works with a plan instead of being coerced, then healing is more possible. Unfortunately, some clients who are victims of crimes, or are a harm to themselves that refuse to work with a counselor, must be hospitalized, or the situation reported despite the pain it causes. These are difficult times for counselors, especially new counselors. Hence, it is important to employ a health therapeutic relationship when applicable, assess situations, consult with other professional peers and make the best decision for the welfare of the client. It is not an immediate assessment but one that is made with many considerations, facts, and complications considered for the best outcome that respects the law but also safety of a client.
Always remember though
“The American Psychological Association (APA) offers ethical guidance through its “Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.” Under these principles, therapists can disclose information without client consent if deemed necessary to protect the client or others from harm. This authorization for disclosure also extends to situations where the client has given permission, or when required by law, such as when providing professional services, seeking consultation from other professionals, or obtaining payment for services.” (Deibel, 2024).
Trauma Informed Care Specialists, those in crisis counseling, and any licensed mental and behavioral health professional, as well as healthcare professional can face these situations and must have a clear understanding what to do but also have the skills necessary to facilitate health client interaction that leads to joint conclusions when possible.
Please also review AIHCP’s multiple healthcare certifications and see which ones best meet your academic and professional goals.
Resource
Cochran, J & Cochran, N. (2021). “The Heart of Counseling: Practical Counseling Skills Through Therapeutic Relationships” 3rd Ed. Routledge
Additional AIHCP Blogs
Suicide Assessment. Click here
Suicide Lethality. Click here
When Trauma Emerges in Counseling. Click here
Additional Resources
Health Information Privacy. US Department of Health and Human Services. Access here
Barsky, A. (2023). “Duty to Protect and the “Red Flag” Option”. Psychology Today. Access here
“Guidelines for working with clients when there is a risk of serious harm to others” APS. Click here
Diebel, A. (2024). “What is a Therapist’s ‘Duty to Warn’ and Why is it so Important?” Grow Therapy. Click here
Releasing, Reframing and Reconciling with Stress
I. Introduction
The modern landscape of academia presents significant challenges that contribute to increased levels of stress among faculty. As the demands of teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities converge, the mental health of educators becomes precarious. Notably, recent studies have documented a surge in anxiety, burnout, and depression among academics, exacerbated by changes in higher education structures and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (Halat DH et al., 2023). These pressures underscore the need for effective strategies to address stress and promote well-being. Furthermore, understanding how stress manifests within academic settings is crucial for developing interventions that can foster resilience and better work-life balance (Carrard N et al., 2019). By examining the complexities of stress in academia, this paper aims to provide a framework for releasing, reframing, and reconciling with stress, ultimately supporting the mental health and professional longevity of educators in an evolving educational environment.
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program.
A. Definition of stress and its prevalence in modern life
To effectively address the evolving concept of stress, it is essential to define what stress entails in contemporary society. Stress can be broadly understood as a psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats, often exacerbated by the fast-paced nature of modern life. Factors such as technological advancements, workplace demands, and interpersonal expectations can intensify feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. In exploring the complexities of caregiving, it becomes evident that stress is not limited to the individual; it often permeates the lives of caregivers who juggle multiple responsibilities, underscoring the pervasive nature of stress across diverse demographics (Henwood et al., 2017). Additionally, management literature reveals interesting trends related to online panel data and its implications for understanding stress in organizational contexts, suggesting that the environment in which individuals operate significantly influences their stress levels (Cho et al., 2018). Thus, comprehending stress necessitates a multifaceted approach that encompasses both personal and societal dimensions.
B. Importance of addressing stress for mental and physical health
Addressing stress is paramount for both mental and physical health, as chronic stress can lead to a myriad of health complications, including anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. The cumulative effects of prolonged stress disrupt the bodys homeostasis, weakening the immune system and increasing vulnerability to various ailments. A study exploring acculturative stress among higher-level educational migrants in Italy highlighted that this demographic faces diverse stressors, such as bureaucratic obstacles and financial pressures, which can detrimentally impact subjective well-being (SWB) and lead to mental health concerns (OTHAIX A et al., 2024). Similarly, caregivers often experience significant stress that can manifest in poor physical health outcomes, emphasizing the necessity of effective coping mechanisms and support networks (Henwood et al., 2017). Thus, integrating strategies for stress management not only enhances individual resilience but is essential for promoting overall health and well-being, making it a critical component of a balanced lifestyle.
C. Overview of the concepts of releasing, reframing, and reconciling with stress
The concepts of releasing, reframing, and reconciling with stress intertwine to form a comprehensive framework for managing lifes pressures. Releasing involves letting go of unproductive thoughts and feelings that contribute to stress, thereby creating a mental space for positivity and well-being. This process can be further enhanced through reframing, which shifts one’s perspective on stressors, allowing individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Reconciliation with stress entails accepting its presence and recognizing its role in personal development, fostering resilience in the face of adversity. Understanding these relationships is critical, as research indicates that effective management strategies can significantly enhance an individuals coping abilities and overall mental health. Emphasizing the unique experiences associated with stress, such as those outlined in a recent scoping review highlighting the diverse characteristics of caregivers, can deepen our understanding of these resilience strategies (Henwood et al., 2017), (Bartkowiak-Theron I et al.).
II. Releasing Stress
To effectively release stress, individuals must engage in strategies that promote relaxation and emotional well-being. Research indicates that stress has pervasive effects on both mental and physical health, necessitating targeted interventions that enable individuals to reclaim their equilibrium. Practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and exercise serve as powerful tools to mitigate stress levels. These methods foster not only a sense of calm but also enhance resilience against future stressors. Additionally, creating a supportive environment and engaging in open communication can facilitate better management of caregiving responsibilities, thereby alleviating stress associated with caregiving roles (Henwood et al., 2017). The importance of recognizing the unique nature of individual stressors, as highlighted in various studies, underscores the need for tailored approaches to stress management, including fostering capacities for innovation in coping mechanisms (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2009). Ultimately, releasing stress is vital for maintaining overall health and fostering a more balanced life.
A. Techniques for physical release: exercise and relaxation methods
In the context of addressing stress, techniques for physical release such as exercise and relaxation methods play a critical role in fostering well-being and emotional regulation. Engaging in regular physical activity not only promotes cardiovascular health but also serves as a powerful outlet for managing stress and anxiety. A study examining the effects of somatic practices on leadership indicates that integrating daily physical routines can help individuals enhance their focus, establish genuine connections, and reduce tension and stress (Rakoff et al., 2010). Furthermore, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation have been shown to facilitate emotional release, combatting the negative effects of unresolved feelings that can arise from chronic stressors. This aligns with the understanding that unforgiveness and emotional burden, as explored in the context of the African American experience, highlight the necessity of using such methods to cultivate inner peace and enhance interpersonal relationships (Golden et al., 2022). Overall, these techniques provide essential tools for individuals seeking to reconcile with their stress effectively.
B. The role of mindfulness and meditation in stress relief
Mindfulness and meditation play a crucial role in alleviating stress by fostering a deeper awareness of one’s thoughts and emotions. This heightened state of awareness allows individuals to observe stress triggers without immediate reaction, thereby promoting emotional regulation and resilience. Research indicates that culturally accommodating mindfulness practices can effectively aid those dealing with shame, anxiety, and depression, particularly within specific communities such as Christians seeking therapy. (Jones et al., 2019) Furthermore, as trauma experiences become increasingly prevalent in society, the involvement of faith-based organizations in providing mindfulness education can enhance their capacity to support those in distress. These organizations often serve as first responders to crises, allowing them to incorporate mindfulness practices into their pastoral care and spiritual support. (Jones et al., 2020) By integrating mindfulness into therapeutic contexts, individuals can find pathways to release and reframe their stressful experiences, ultimately leading to a holistic process of reconciling with their emotions.
C. Importance of social support and communication in stress release
The role of social support and effective communication in mitigating stress cannot be overstated, providing individuals with essential resources for emotional resilience. This support network can include friends, family, and community groups, offering a sense of belonging and understanding during challenging times. Research indicates that interaction with others helps in reframing stressful situations, allowing individuals to view them from a new perspective, which can significantly reduce anxiety levels. For instance, caregivers often experience heightened stress due to their responsibilities; however, when they engage in open communication and seek support from others, they report improved coping mechanisms and emotional well-being (Henwood et al., 2017). Furthermore, online platforms have emerged as valuable tools for connecting stress-stricken individuals with peer support and resources, emphasizing the importance of accessible communication in managing stress effectively (Cho et al., 2018). Ultimately, fostering social connections is vital to enhancing ones ability to navigate stressors in both personal and professional contexts.
III. Reframing Stress
In the context of stress management, reframing emerges as a vital psychological strategy that transforms negative perceptions of stress into opportunities for growth and resilience. This approach encourages individuals to view stress not merely as a hindrance but as a catalyst for enhanced performance and personal development. By shifting the narrative surrounding stress, individuals can harness its energy to inspire action rather than succumb to paralysis. Research emphasizes the crucial role of institutional frameworks and networks, which support individuals in their reframing efforts, echoing insights from fields as varied as management and agricultural innovation. For instance, the challenges of managing stress can be likened to addressing innovation capacity within organizations, where reframing the problem from a purely informational perspective to one that emphasizes relational and systemic capacities can lead to more effective stress management strategies (Cho et al., 2018), (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2009). Thus, reframing stress not only aids personal well-being but also fosters a healthier organizational culture.
A. Cognitive restructuring: changing negative thought patterns
Cognitive restructuring serves as a pivotal mechanism in transforming negative thought patterns, thereby fostering a healthier psychological state and enhancing resilience in stressful situations. By systematically identifying and challenging maladaptive beliefs, individuals can replace these with more constructive and realistic perspectives. This reframing process not only alleviates psychological distress but also contributes to improved emotional regulation, ultimately leading to better coping strategies. As highlighted in the literature, interventions that support cognitive restructuring can significantly impact ones ability to manage stress effectively, demonstrating the intricate relationship between thought patterns and emotional well-being. Furthermore, understanding the broader implications of cognitive restructuring, including its applications in diverse scenarios such as caregiving, can inform more tailored approaches to mental health support (Henwood et al., 2017). The growing body of evidence suggesting the efficacy of such interventions reinforces the need for continued exploration in various contexts, including adolescents facing emotional challenges (Everding et al., 2010).
B. The benefits of viewing stress as a challenge rather than a threat
It turns out that if you see stress as a challenge, not a threat, you could really boost your resilience and how well you handle things. This way of thinking helps you see stressors as chances to learn and grow, instead of just impossible obstacles. Studies actually show that if you take on this challenge mindset, you’re more likely to fully engage with the world around you, which is good for your mental health and overall well-being. For example, when stress is seen this way, it can make you more motivated and focused, which then leads to better results in what you do. Plus, things like leadership training practices—methods that help you pay better attention and chill out—have looked promising. These methods, as shown in recent studies (Henwood et al., 2017) (Rakoff et al., 2010), can assist people in forming real bonds and stay clear-headed. So, thinking about stress differently like this can be a great way to deal with the everyday curveballs life throws at you.
C. Strategies for cultivating a positive mindset in stressful situations
It’s important for both emotional resilience and our overall well-being to cultivate a positive mindset when things get stressful. A really useful technique? Reframing those negative thought patterns. What this means is figuring out those unhelpful beliefs that pop up when we’re stressed, and then changing them. This mental adjustment doesn’t just lessen that feeling of being powerless. Instead, it helps people see difficulties as chances to learn and improve. Then, showing empathy – both to ourselves and to others – can really boost our emotional intelligence. This can lead to better relationships and ease some of the stress we feel in dealing with other people. Studies show that forgiveness can be a really important thing, *particularly* in helping marginalized communities lessen emotional problems that come with stress. Using things like the Worthington REACH Forgiveness workshop can really help someone develop forgiveness and self-acceptance, which in turn can make those angry or resentful feelings less strong (Golden et al., 2022). When we put these strategies into practice, they create a balanced way to handle stress and boost understanding and caring (Cho et al., 2018).
IV. Reconciling with Stress
Coming to terms with stress means more than just admitting it’s there; it’s about grasping its subtle details and what it really means for you. This complete method pushes people to spot where their stress comes from and to use active ways to handle it, building up their strength to bounce back. Research on caregiving shows that knowing what each caregiver goes through helps create specific plans to lower their stress and help their minds stay healthy (Henwood et al., 2017). Also, using online data in management studies shows how important it is to make help easy to get for everyone when dealing with stress (Cho et al., 2018). Gathering these ideas helps people react better to stress, creating stronger ways to cope that not only help them get by but also grow as people. So, learning to live with stress is a key part of living a full and happy life.
A. Understanding the sources and triggers of personal stress
To really get a handle on personal stress, it’s key to understand where it’s coming from and what sets it off. Unresolved emotional baggage, what society expects of us, and even the cultural stereotypes we’ve absorbed can all play a big role in how stressed we feel. Take forgiveness therapy, for example; studies show it can actually help heal those “inner child” wounds. This suggests that those unresolved psychological issues often bubble up as stressors in our day-to-day lives, ultimately getting in the way of our emotional well-being (Fadilah et al., 2024). Furthermore, when we look at the experiences of marginalized communities, like African American women, we see how societal narratives can pile on extra stress. Harmful stereotypes, such as the “Angry Black Woman” trope, can add immense pressure. This not only hides who someone truly is, but also amplifies stress due to the burden of societal expectations and the risk of having emotions misinterpreted (Golden et al., 2022). So, gaining insight into these various sources of stress is a really critical step toward developing solid plans for stress relief and emotional healing.
B. Developing resilience and coping strategies for future stressors
When we talk about handling stress well, it’s really about building up resilience and finding coping strategies. Think of it as getting ready for whatever life throws your way. Resilience helps us get through tough times by helping us think in a more flexible way. You can build resilience by actively doing things like connecting with others and spending time thinking about your experiences. Research has shown that people dealing with different kinds of stress, like the stress of adjusting to a new culture, often use coping methods like trying to solve problems themselves or turning to friends and family for help (OTHAIX A et al., 2024). Also, when we look at people who are caregivers, it becomes clear that we need to understand that every caregiver is different. This means we need to create personalized support systems to help them cope better (Henwood et al., 2017). By strengthening these approaches, people can arm themselves with what they need to succeed even when stressed. And that contributes to better overall well-being, helping them confidently manage the ups and downs of life.
C. The significance of self-compassion and acceptance in stress management
Incorporating self-compassion and acceptance into how we handle stress can really boost our ability to navigate tough times. When you cultivate self-kindness, you’re better equipped to see your stressors with understanding instead of harsh self-judgment. This, in turn, builds emotional resilience, helping you accept your flaws and tackle your worries without piling on extra pressure. Studies have suggested that interventions focused on forgiveness can lessen the emotional toll of stress by tackling those inner conflicts that bubble up from unresolved issues. It’s like releasing baggage that makes anxiety worse (Fadilah et al., 2024). Plus, engaging in self-compassion practices has been linked to improved psychological well-being, which can lead to lower rates of depression and anxiety – both pretty common reactions to stress (Everding et al., 2010). Essentially, when you nurture self-compassion and acceptance, it creates a supportive space where you can come to terms with your stressors, encouraging healthier reactions and a more emotionally balanced state. In most cases, these practices facilitate the individual in becoming more emotionally resilient.
V. Conclusion
To summarize, tackling stress by releasing, reframing, and reconciling offers a well-rounded way to boost your well-being and bounce back from tough times. Understanding that stress comes in many forms and using methods that help you manage your emotions allows you to change how you see and react to stressful situations, which leads to better health. This idea is similar to what management research is starting to show – that we need new ways to handle problems, much like the debate around using online panel data for studies (Cho et al., 2018). Also, dealing with stress is like working on fodder innovation; you need to know about both the technical and organizational sides to find good solutions (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2009). Taking charge of your stress not only helps you do well but also adds to the conversation about mental health and new ideas in different situations.
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Certification for qualified professionals in the healthcare and mental health and behavioral health fields.
A. Recap of the importance of releasing, reframing, and reconciling with stress
Dealing with stress by releasing, reframing, and reconciling is super important for feeling good and bouncing back from tough times. Letting go of stress means really seeing your feelings and letting yourself ditch the bad ones—this can make your head clearer and give you a sense of emotional freedom. When you reframe stressors, you’re basically changing how you see things. Instead of seeing problems as huge walls, you see them as chances to grow. This way of thinking can help you come up with better ways to handle things and feel more in control when things get rough. Also, when you reconcile with stress, you’re kind of accepting what happened, weaving both the good and bad into your story to help you grow. These kinds of approaches are key to handling the pressures of life, showing how much we need to adapt in our daily grind (Henwood et al., 2017) (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2009). As people get into these processes, they build up resilience, which not only lowers stress but also makes life way more satisfying.
B. Encouragement to adopt these strategies for improved well-being
When dealing with stress, it’s really important for folks to pick up strategies that work for them, especially as the essay “Releasing, Reframing and Reconciling with Stress” points out. Things like building resilience and keeping your emotions in check can really help you handle tough situations in a healthier way, which boosts your overall well-being. Support systems are also key; knowing about caregiving and how it affects people can help you get through your own rough patches (Henwood et al., 2017). Also, it’s vital to see how community and larger organizations can boost creativity and teamwork, helping you use what’s around you to feel better (Bezkorowajnyj et al., 2009). If people get to know these strategies and weave them into their everyday routines, they’ll be more ready to handle stress and feel better mentally, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
C. Final thoughts on the ongoing journey of managing stress in life
Navigating the complexities of stress management, one realizes it’s less about isolated incidents and more about continuous adaptation and personal evolution. Stress, impacting everything from emotional well-being to social connections, can actually prompt more effective coping strategies. Managing it well can mean letting go of negative thinking, finding meaning by reframing tough spots, and accepting stressors as part of life’s rich tapestry. Understanding the caregiver’s path shows many face considerable stress, indicating a need for customized support—support acknowledging different situations and origins (Henwood et al., 2017). New studies also point to how online communities help build resilience, suggesting fresh solutions are crucial for filling holes in regular support systems (Cho et al., 2018). So, managing stress really highlights how important flexibility, reflection, and just plain adapting are to feeling good.
Additional AIHCP Blogs
Stop Worrying. Click here
Managing Stress. Click here
Additional Resources
Kubala, J. & Jennings, A. (2025). “16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress”. Healthline. Access here
“20 Ways To Relieve Stress”. (2024). Health Essentials. Cleveland Clinic. Access here
Scott, E. (2025). “18 Effective Stress Relief Strategies”. Very Well Mind. Access here
Smith, W. (2021). “How to Relieve Stress: 37 Simple Activities and Games”. PositivePsychology.com. Access here
Autism and Grief in Children Video Blog
Autism manifests grief in different ways. With so much diversity within the spectrum, it is important for Grief Counselors and other caregivers to understand how Autistic children grieve and respond to loss. This video presents a detailed response to helping autistic children with loss and grief
Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Program as well as its Grief Diversity Counseling program
Stress Management and Understanding Panic Attacks
I. Introduction
Panic attacks are indeed a notable mental health worry, marked by abrupt and powerful bursts of fear. Often, these episodes bring along physical symptoms, like a racing heart and breathlessness. This issue has been getting more and more notice in psychology and psychiatry circles, leading to some rethinking of how we classify them. The DSM, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, has traditionally sorted panic disorders using set criteria. However, recent talks suggest it’s time to look at these setups again, aiming to better reflect how intricate panic experiences can be (Bracha et al., 2006). Besides, different models, like the complex network approach, give us helpful looks into how panic attack symptoms link together. They highlight the need to see these episodes as part of a bigger network, not just isolated events (Curtiss et al., 2016). Getting a grip on these dynamics is super important for creating helpful therapeutic methods, with the end goal of boosting mental health results for those dealing with panic attacks.
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.
A. Definition of panic attacks
Sudden, intense fear or discomfort—that’s often how panic attacks show up, bringing along physical stuff like a racing heart, feeling like you can’t breathe, or getting dizzy. Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere; other times, something specific sets them off. This can make people really scared of having more attacks, which we call anticipatory anxiety. You’ll find these episodes classified as anxiety disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and it’s noted how much they can mess with daily life. It seems anger and neurobiological factors play a big role in how panic attacks happen (Barlow et al., 2016). Also, if we get a better handle on the neuroevolutionary side of how our brains process fear, we might understand why people react so differently to different triggers, which would give us a more complete definition of panic attacks (Bracha et al., 2006). Generally speaking, these attacks really impact one’s well-being.
B. Prevalence and significance in mental health
Panic attacks can tell us a lot about the mental well-being of different groups of people. Studies show that people who have panic attacks frequently struggle with other problems, such as anxiety or depression; this highlights how interconnected these conditions can be. It’s worth noting that the role of anger in emotional disorders, such as anxiety, often doesn’t get the attention it deserves in psychology, but it’s really important for understanding mental health in general ((Barlow et al., 2016)). Additionally, how we process emotions and think during traumatic experiences can really change whether someone develops panic attacks, or make existing ones worse, so this gives some useful background for why they matter in discussions about mental health. The creation of tools to track these emotional responses emphasizes that we need to really understand how panic attacks show up and change over time, which is why there’s a big need for more complete research on how they interact with other psychological things ((Grimm et al., 2012)). To improve treatments and intervention plans, we really need to focus on all of these things.
C. Purpose and scope of the essay
This essay seeks to explore panic attacks, aiming to explain what causes them, what they feel like, and how they affect a person’s mental health. In most cases, we’ll look at how panic attacks involve emotions, especially anger, which isn’t always talked about (Barlow et al., 2016). Beyond just listing symptoms, the essay will also consider how well different treatments work and how panic attacks affect a person’s life and relationships. With anxiety disorders becoming more common these days (Butterworth et al., 2010), it’s important to understand and address panic attacks; generally speaking, doing so is essential. This essay hopes to provide a better understanding of panic attacks, with practical advice on how to manage them, connecting what doctors know with what people actually experience.
II. Causes of Panic Attacks
Panic attacks? They usually come from a mix of psychological stuff and what’s going on in your body. You know, big life changes or losing someone can really set things off, turning into a full-blown panic attack. Now, some folks think about it differently; they see it as not just one problem, but more like a bunch of connected things in how you feel and think all tangled up together (Curtiss et al., 2016). It’s important to see how different stresses can play off each other in someone’s life, pushing them to where normal worry turns into serious fear. Take musicians, for example. All that pressure to perform can make anxiety way worse, causing panic attacks that mess with their ability to even play (Lockhart et al., 2019).
A. Biological factors and genetic predisposition
It’s generally understood that both our biology and genetic make-up are key to figuring out what causes panic attacks. Studies have shown that certain brain pathways, especially those involving the amygdala, are really important when it comes to feeling fear and anxiety (Bracha et al., 2006). Our genes might affect how well these pathways work, possibly making some of us more likely to have strong anxiety reactions, which, in turn, could lead to panic attacks. To illustrate, allele-variant polymorphisms potentially developed during the Neolithic era could manifest as symptoms of conversive disorders and even panic-related phenomena in vulnerable individuals today (Bracha et al., 2005). By understanding these biological and genetic factors, we can get a better handle on how to treat and help people, which suggests that treatments could be designed to address both the psychological symptoms *and* the biological factors that contribute to them. This idea highlights why it’s so important to include genetic information in the broader discussion of panic disorders.
B. Psychological triggers and stressors
It’s really important to get a handle on the psychological stuff that kicks off panic attacks, like triggers and stressors, if we want to come up with treatments that actually work. Things like feeling super anxious or stressed, especially when you’ve got pressure to perform, can make those symptoms way worse. Take the Sport Interference Checklist (SIC), for example. It shows how thinking and behavior issues can mess with how well athletes do, pointing out that they often feel anxious because of stressors in their sport environment (Scott et al., 2018). Thinking about mental disorders as a complex web also underlines how connected psychological stressors can play a role in panic attacks starting. Instead of just seeing panic as a symptom of some underlying problem, this way of thinking shines a light on how important it is to understand how symptoms work together and connect. It hints that things can change pretty fast once certain psychological lines are crossed (Curtiss et al., 2016). So, figuring out what sets off each person is key to making treatments that can ease panic symptoms. Ultimately, knowing what those individual triggers and stressors are is critical for developing the right interventions.
C. Environmental influences and lifestyle factors
Panic attacks? Well, it’s really about how your environment and lifestyle kind of mix together, if you think about it. Like, stressors at home or just tough living situations definitely don’t help anxiety, you know? It’s been seen that if you’re always stressed, you might just be more likely to have those panic moments because of how your brain reacts. Plus, things like how much you move around, sleep, and even what you eat seem to play a part in keeping anxiety in check. Not getting enough exercise or eating poorly? That can make anxiety worse and almost set you up for panic attacks. And, interestingly enough, it looks like anxiety and panic can affect cardiac patients as well, which makes it important to deal with these issues when we’re taking care of medical stuff (Abrignani et al., 2014). Acknowledging all these lifestyle pieces is really important if we are going to figure out what starts panic attacks and how to approach them effectively (Bracha et al., 2006).
III. Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Panic attacks present with a range of symptoms and, it’s fair to say, can seriously impact daily routines. Often marked by a sudden, intense wave of fear, these attacks frequently involve physical reactions like a racing heart, breathlessness, and profuse sweating – all contributing to a feeling of intense dread or, perhaps, an impending sense of doom. Spotting these symptoms is really important, especially since repeated attacks can sometimes lead to agoraphobia, where people may start avoiding situations that could set off another attack (Federici et al., 2014). The connection between these physical symptoms and the psychological distress they cause can make diagnosing and treating panic disorder quite complex. Newer research has really highlighted the need to understand these symptoms more broadly, connecting them to potential biological causes and other triggers that might worsen the condition (Scott et al., 2018). Ultimately, having a solid understanding of panic attack symptoms is vital for creating effective ways to help and support those who experience them.
A. Physical symptoms and bodily sensations
Understanding panic attacks hinges significantly on how individuals experience physical symptoms and bodily sensations, which can amplify feelings of fear and a sense of being out of control. Many who deal with panic disorder often mention increased anxiety levels related to how their body works, especially worrying about their bowel and bladder control; this, in most cases, can really affect their day-to-day lives. Studies suggest that around 78% of those dealing with these worries also have panic attacks, and a lot of them worry about losing control of their bladder during these times. This creates a worrying cycle where physical sensations affect mental well-being ((Chevalier et al., 2013)). We also can’t ignore the family environment because parental actions, particularly those showing sensitivity to anxiety, might strengthen worries about physical arousal during teenage years. This kind of sick role reinforcement can create a negative cycle, potentially making someone more likely to experience panic symptoms and complicating how they understand their body’s signals ((Bilsky et al., 2016)). Therefore, addressing both the physical and mental aspects of panic attacks requires focused treatment strategies.
B. Emotional and psychological symptoms
Panic attacks bring on some serious emotional and mental stuff that can really mess with your life. You’re talking about intense anxiety, a sense of impending doom, and just feeling totally out of it – and it often hits you out of nowhere. Studies have shown that big, scary events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can make these issues even worse. For example, research pointed to about 31.9% of people dealing with anxiety and 33.7% struggling with depression as a result of all the trauma (Salari N et al., 2020). What’s more, there’s a clear link between having panic attacks and feeling super emotionally stressed, which means we really need to focus on providing good mental health support, especially for those who are already struggling (Hossain MM et al., 2020). Knowing what these symptoms look like can help us spot people who might need help. It also drives home how important it is to come up with specific ways to help people cope with the distress that comes with panic attacks and to boost their overall mental health.
C. Duration and frequency of panic attacks
Panic attacks present quite differently from person to person; both how long they last and how often they occur can really shape the intensity of the symptoms as well as the overall anxiety disorder experience. You see, a panic attack usually hits its highest point pretty quickly, generally within minutes. While the worst might only last around 10 to 30 minutes, some folks might feel that anxiousness lingering for hours, which is something to keep in mind. This timing is really important, particularly because frequent, repeated attacks might cause anticipatory anxiety—this is where someone starts fearing they’ll have another attack. Consequently, they might start avoiding things, which can complicate their lives even more. Now, anger is often missed when looking at emotional disorders, but studies (Barlow et al., 2016) suggest it can actually worsen panic attacks and even make treatments less effective, showing just how complex panic experiences can be. Because of this, truly grasping how long these episodes last and how frequently they happen is vital for putting together solid treatment plans and ultimately helping folks better manage their panic disorders (Yao et al., 2019).
IV. Treatment and Management Strategies
Dealing with panic attacks often calls for a combined strategy, using both therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is often considered the best approach. It helps people spot and change the thought patterns that make panic worse. Also, exposure therapy, which is part of CBT, lets people slowly face what they fear. This can lead to them becoming less sensitive and less anxious. Medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also help by balancing mood and anxiety. One study pointed out how anger plays a role in emotional issues and how it’s linked to how bad the symptoms are and how well treatment works, which means dealing with anger could help with treating panic disorder (Barlow et al., 2016). Plus, special tools, such as the Sport Interference Checklist, highlight how mental health impacts performance and well-being, which can shape custom treatment plans (Scott et al., 2018).
A. Therapeutic approaches, including CBT and exposure therapy
When it comes to tackling panic attacks, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy really stand out as effective treatments. CBT hones in on spotting and changing those unhelpful thought patterns that fuel panic symptoms, equipping people with useful skills for dealing with their anxiety. Exposure therapy nicely complements CBT by slowly introducing patients to situations or feelings they’re afraid of, which can dial down their anxious reactions. Studies have pointed out that bringing these two approaches together can lead to considerable symptom relief. For example, the Panic Online (PO) program has shown promise, whether it’s used with a therapist or on its own, in easing symptoms of panic disorder and agoraphobia; this highlights how online programs can be a great option for people looking for self-guided help (Austin et al., 2008). Also, a transdiagnostic approach blends these methods, showing how versatile and wide-ranging these treatment strategies can be for different anxiety disorders (Barlow et al., 2017). All in all, these therapeutic methods offer strong options for people struggling with panic attacks.
B. Medication options and their effectiveness
When it comes to handling panic attacks, several medications have become known for how well they ease symptoms and make life better for patients. Often, you’ll see selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and benzodiazepines prescribed, mainly because they start working quickly and are good at lowering anxiety. Yet, there’s a worry about becoming dependent on these drugs, especially benzodiazepines, which are usually only suggested for a short time. Now, a small study looking at the Panic Online (PO) program showed that doing internet programs on your own might be a good choice for folks dealing with panic disorder (PD), which points to other ways to treat this without drugs (Austin et al., 2008). What’s more, mixing in behavioral therapies seems to really boost how well treatment works, cutting down on how often and how bad panic attacks are, all while lowering the risks that come with taking medicine (Arruda et al., 2016).
C. Lifestyle changes and coping mechanisms
For people dealing with panic attacks, making some lifestyle tweaks and learning good coping skills can really make a difference, helping dial down anxiety and generally boosting how they feel. Take regular exercise, for example. It’s known to lift your spirits and cut down on stress, which is a great way to offset the physical stuff that goes along with panic attacks. Mindfulness stuff, like meditation and those deep-breathing exercises, can help people take charge of their anxiety again, making it easier to handle their emotions when things get tough. Getting involved with groups that offer support can also give you a sense of community, which might help with the loneliness that often hits people with panic disorders. Musicians, for instance, who struggle with Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), often find that figuring out and using coping methods tailored for them leads to better performances and less stress (Lockhart et al., 2019). Additionally, things like The BodyMind Approach (TBMA) give you a whole picture of how your mind and body work together, putting emphasis on how changing your lifestyle can help you deal with panic-related issues (Payne et al., 2015).
V. Conclusion
To truly understand panic attacks, we need to look at things from both a psychological and a brain-based point of view. Research into how our brains evolved to handle fear shows us the deep connections between our fear responses and the things that cause us stress. When doctors understand this better, they can better understand what causes panic disorder. It’s important to think about both the fears we’re born with and the fears we develop over time when figuring out what’s wrong, which can help us create better treatments for each person. As research keeps going, diagnostic tools like the DSM-V will probably need to change, maybe even adding new ways to classify problems that come from stress and fear (Bracha et al., 2006). Programs like the ProCEED study demonstrate that specialized treatments can really help people dealing with panic (Buszewicz et al.). In the end, dealing with panic attacks means using both what we know from experience and what we learn from research, so that we can take good care of the people who are struggling with them.
Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Training Program
A. Summary of key points discussed
To put it briefly, exploring panic attacks uncovers a complex landscape encompassing their essence, catalysts, and therapeutic avenues. A key realization is that panic attacks can stem from a mix of psychological and bodily contributors, for example, anxiety issues or high-stress situations. Signs and symptoms can hit without warning, igniting intense dread that feels crushing. Significantly, we’ve seen talk of useful treatments, spanning cognitive-behavioral therapy and meds, all designed to assist people in managing their experiences. The dialogue really drives home how critical awareness and knowledge are to taking the mystery out of panic attacks, cutting stigma, and growing empathy among those affected as well as society as a whole. Diving into recent research adds much to this area, painting a vivid picture of panic attack intricacies while stressing the need to keep digging for fresh treatment approaches, as detailed in (Romero C, 2014) and (Oates et al., 2008).
B. Importance of understanding and addressing panic attacks
It’s pretty important to get a handle on panic attacks, not just for the sake of those dealing with them directly, but also to build a society that’s more clued-in about mental health generally. As folks wrestling with mental illness and the stigma that comes with it can tell you, panic attacks can be a real emotional weight. As (Bocado et al., 2020) points out, embracing both the emotional and the symptomatic sides of these experiences really drives home the need for understanding and, well, compassion. Plus, when you bring psychoanalytic ideas into the mix for treatment, you can boost therapeutic interventions in ways that really get at the complicated nature of panic attacks in different settings. This kind of approach not only helps with recovery but also underlines how empirical research could potentially bolster mental health policies, helping them tackle these common issues more effectively (Briggs et al., 2010). Bottom line: By truly recognizing – and managing – panic attacks, we stand to create a supportive space that fosters healing and resilience for those going through it.
C. Call to action for awareness and support
It’s pretty important to get the word out about panic attacks and push for more support; this helps everyone understand things better and cuts down on the stigma around mental health. More and more people worldwide are dealing with anxiety disorders, panic attacks included, so it’s kind of a must that we all recognize the struggles people face. If we take a page from those global conferences on human rights and digital safety, initiatives pushing mental health education could really help people spot the signs of panic attacks and know how to react. Healthcare folks, teachers, and even policymakers need to team up to build supportive places where people feel okay asking for help. Advocates can spark real conversations and get people involved in boosting mental health awareness just by sharing what they’ve gone through and using tech to spread info. When it’s all said and done, a group effort will not only give the public a better understanding but also nudge us toward a society that’s more understanding and ready to help those dealing with panic attacks and similar issues.
AIHCP Blogs
Anxiety Disorders- Access here.
Stress and Mental Exhaustion- Access here
Additional Resources
Panic Attacks. Mayo Clinic. Access here
Bence, S. (2023). “What Are the Symptoms of Panic Attacks?”. Very Well Health. Access here
“Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder”. Cleveland Clinic. Access here
Smith, J, (2025). “How can you stop a panic attack?” Access here
Mental Health Medications and Herbal Solutions for Anxiety and Depression
I. Introduction
In recent years, the growing interest in mental health has prompted a significant examination of both herbal and pharmaceutical approaches to managing conditions such as depression and anxiety. This exploration is particularly relevant given the chronic nature of these disorders, where traditional medications may not always yield satisfactory outcomes for patients. With the rise of integrative medicine, there is an increasing recognition of the potential benefits derived from herbal remedies alongside conventional treatments. While herbal options may offer a path less traveled, they are not without risks; interactions between these remedies and pharmaceutical drugs must be carefully considered to ensure patient safety (Aiello et al., 2018). Furthermore, the role of dietary choices, such as the Mediterranean diet, can also contribute positively to mental health, highlighting the intricate relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and well-being (Emerson et al., 2009). This essay will delve into these dimensions, evaluating their efficacy and applicability in treating depression and anxiety.
Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic Nursing Program as well as AIHCP’s numerous mental health certifications in Stress Management, Grief Counseling and Crisis Counseling.
A. Definition of depression and anxiety
Understanding the definitions of depression and anxiety is crucial for comprehending their pervasive impact on mental health. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, affecting daily functioning. Conversely, anxiety manifests as excessive worry or fear, often leading to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, restlessness, and fatigue. Both conditions are deeply intertwined and can exacerbate one another, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Recent research has established the efficacy of certain herbal remedies, like saffron, in alleviating symptoms associated with these mental health disorders. In a study featuring teenagers with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression, saffron extract (affron®) demonstrated significant improvements in internalizing symptoms, suggesting its potential as a complementary treatment option (Drummond et al., 2018). Further exploration into nonpharmacological approaches alongside traditional pharmaceuticals continues to be vital in addressing these prevalent mental health challenges (Swezey et al., 2018).
B. Overview of treatment options
The landscape of treatment options for depression and anxiety encompasses both herbal and pharmaceutical interventions, reflecting a diverse approach to managing these pervasive conditions. Herbal treatments, such as St. Johns Wort and kava, have gained prominence due to their perceived efficacy and fewer side effects compared to traditional pharmaceuticals. Research indicates that these herbal remedies may offer relief by modulating neurotransmitter levels, thereby alleviating symptoms of mood disorders. Conversely, pharmaceutical drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines, are often prescribed for their established effectiveness in treating severe cases. However, concerns regarding potential adverse effects and long-term dependency have prompted interest in complementary therapies. The integration of nutritional supplements, like Pycnogenol, into treatment regimens could further enhance therapeutic outcomes by addressing underlying physiological imbalances (Emerson et al., 2009), (Ceulemans et al., 2017). Ultimately, a comprehensive treatment approach that combines both modalities may provide optimal relief for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.
In utilizing these treatments, stress management consultants also can use a variety of calming techniques and therapies to help teach individuals to calm themselves in stressful situations, as well as grief counselors can help utilize other cognitive treatments to help individuals cope with grief.
C. Importance of understanding both herbal and pharmaceutical approaches
Integrating both herbal and pharmaceutical approaches in the treatment of depression and anxiety is essential for a holistic understanding of patient care. The efficacy of traditional herbal remedies often lies not solely in their active constituents but also in the therapeutic experience associated with their use, as underscored by findings that highlight a hedonic placebo effect contributing to high satisfaction levels among users of traditional medicines (Costa-i-Font et al., 2012). Furthermore, advancements in pharmaceutical formulations, such as the development of Bacopa Naturosome, which illustrates the potential for enhancing the bioavailability of herbal extracts, demonstrate that a synergistic approach can lead to improved clinical outcomes (Bobde et al., 2016). Recognizing the complexities of both modalities allows healthcare providers to tailor interventions that resonate more effectively with patients, ultimately enhancing treatment satisfaction and outcomes in managing depression and anxiety. Thus, a comprehensive approach that values both systems is imperative for informed clinical practice.
II. Overview of Pharmaceutical Drugs
An overview of pharmaceutical drugs used in treating depression and anxiety reveals a range of therapeutic options, each with unique mechanisms and effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed due to their efficacy in enhancing neurotransmitter levels, which can alleviate common mood disorders. Furthermore, benzodiazepines and various sedative antidepressants serve as alternatives, particularly for rapid symptom relief. Despite their benefits, these drugs are not without drawbacks, including potential dependence and adverse side effects. Recent guidelines suggest incorporating cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a primary intervention, which may be supplemented with pharmacological options when necessary, especially in cases of treatment-resistant insomnia associated with anxiety and depression (Riemann D et al., 2023). Moreover, evolving research underscores the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of age factors in clinical trials, as studies often overlook older adults, thereby affecting treatment outcomes (Fiona E Lithander et al., 2020).
A. Commonly prescribed medications for depression and anxiety
The landscape of depression and anxiety treatment often prominently features pharmaceutical interventions, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines. SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, are commonly prescribed due to their efficacy in increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can positively influence mood regulation. Common brand names include Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Celaxa. Benzodiazepines, including drugs like diazepam and lorazepam, serve as anxiolytics, providing rapid relief from acute anxiety symptoms; however, their potential for dependence limits their long-term use. Common brand names include Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Recent studies highlight a concerning trend regarding the prescribing patterns of these medications, underscoring significant variances across different regions and patient demographics (Bjornsdottir et al., 2014). Furthermore, the rise of nootropics, aimed at cognitive enhancement, draws attention to the nuanced interplay between mental health and performance in contemporary society, suggesting a shift toward multifaceted approaches in managing depression and anxiety (Bersani et al., 2020). This evolving understanding emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment plans to individual needs and contexts.
B. Mechanisms of action of pharmaceutical drugs
Understanding the mechanisms of action of pharmaceutical drugs is crucial for addressing depression and anxiety effectively. The majority of these drugs target neurotransmitter systems, primarily involving serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine, and dopamine. For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) enhance serotonergic activity by inhibiting the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, thus increasing its availability and improving mood. This approach highlights the significance of neurotransmitter balance in mental health, where disruptions can lead to various mood disorders. However, the pharmacodynamics of these drugs remain complex, as evidenced by the varied responses observed among patients, necessitating ongoing research into more effective and tailored treatments. Moreover, the lack of approved pharmacological options for conditions such as tinnitus exposes the need for novel therapies. As noted, effective relief from symptoms is still a pressing challenge, underscoring the potential of advancements in pharmacotherapy to revolutionize treatment approaches (Bel Aén Elgoyhen et al., 2009), (Overy et al., 2013).
Benzodiazepines increase GABBA in the brain. By reducing Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that helps the efficiency of transmitting messages between neurons, the overall process is slowed through the increase of GABBA hence relaxing the mind. Some of the more common brand names include Xanax, Valium and Ativan. All have addictive qualities and have potential minor side effects. The dose and frequency is determined by a physician or prescribing mental health professional. It is imperative to discuss any herbal supplements with a provider if already taking a prescribed benzodiazepine.
C. Potential side effects and risks associated with pharmaceutical treatments
The growing reliance on pharmaceutical treatments for depression and anxiety raises significant concerns regarding potential side effects and risks associated with these medications. Many prescribed drugs can elicit adverse reactions, ranging from mild symptoms like drowsiness and headaches to more severe effects such as mood changes, anxiety, and substance dependence. For instance, the uncontrolled availability of certain medications has been linked to the induction of psychological symptoms, which may exacerbate existing conditions in vulnerable populations, particularly those with psychiatric disorders (Chillemi E et al., 2014). Furthermore, while complementary and alternative therapies are often sought for their perceived safety, they too can contain active ingredients that pose risks when combined with pharmaceutical treatments; thus, the safety and efficacy of both conventional and alternative options warrant careful evaluation within this context (Ekstein et al., 2014). Consequently, the assessment of side effects must be integral to the discourse on optimal treatment for mental health disorders.
The potential of side effects is always a possibility and that is why prescribers work with their patients starting with lower doses over the first weeks to see if any reactions exist. Sometimes, a different type of SSRI or Benzodiazepine is needed. While closer related, different types of generic names within the family can sometimes work for different individuals. In addition, these same reactions push many individuals to more herbal solutions. This is fine but it must be done with caution and guidance since many prescriptions are important or need to be gradually weaned off of to avoid withdraw. In addition, many other grief and anxiety related therapies and counseling techniques exist to help individuals cope. Whether or not someone needs pharmaceutical or herbal or merely treatment or a combination of all depends on the individual and the guidance of the mental health and primary physician teams.
III. Herbal Remedies for Depression and Anxiety
The exploration of herbal remedies for depression and anxiety has gained significant traction in both clinical settings and popular belief systems. Among these remedies, Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as lavender, has been shown to exhibit promising results. In a study involving patients receiving Citalopram, those who consumed a lavender infusion alongside their medication exhibited a notable decrease in depression scores after both four and eight weeks, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy (Asghari et al., 2013). The implications of such findings position herbal treatments as a viable complement to pharmaceuticals, particularly for individuals seeking holistic approaches to mental health. Additionally, the conversation surrounding nootropics emphasizes the cultural shift towards enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being, revealing an increasing interest in natural substances that may improve quality of life without the adverse effects often associated with conventional medications (Bersani et al., 2020). As research continues to unfold, the integration of herbal remedies into mainstream treatment protocols remains a promising avenue for further investigation.
A. Popular herbal treatments and their uses
The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders has spurred interest in popular herbal treatments, particularly for conditions such as depression and anxiety. Among these treatments, herbs like St. Johns Wort and valerian root have garnered significant attention for their therapeutic potential. St. Johns Wort, for instance, has been extensively studied for its ability to alleviate mild to moderate depression, with some research supporting its efficacy comparable to conventional antidepressants. In addition to St John’s Wort, is lavender, passion flower, chamomile, and other natural serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In regards to anxiety, Valerian root, known for its calming effects, is often utilized as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia, promoting improved sleep quality without the sedative side effects commonly associated with pharmaceutical alternatives. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, suggest a broader role in addressing mood disorders linked to chronic inflammation, making it a compelling candidate for further study in the development of herbal treatments (Peng Y et al., 2021). In addition to valerian root, Understanding the abundance and biodiversity of these medicinal herbs is crucial for sustainable sourcing and effective drug development (Heinrich M et al., 2021)
B. Scientific evidence supporting herbal remedies
There’s a growing buzz around using herbal remedies to ease depression and anxiety. Interestingly, a rising amount of research is trying to back up whether they actually work and are safe to use. For example, lots of studies have looked at how well-known herbs might work, and some have found that particular plants contain active ingredients that can tweak the brain’s mood-regulating chemicals. That said, it’s important to be careful about jumping to conclusions. The research on many herbal treatments isn’t always solid or consistent. It’s really important to put these treatments under a microscope, especially because how the herbs are extracted and how much you use can change things. What’s more, even though some people swear by these remedies based on what they’ve seen, we often don’t have the scientific proof to say for sure that they work. More research is needed to figure out if they truly cause the improvements or if something else is going on (Ghosh et al., 2010), (Elliott et al., 2002). So, it’s best to keep an open mind when thinking about using herbal remedies alongside standard treatments.
C. Safety and efficacy concerns regarding herbal treatments
Herbal treatments for things like depression and anxiety definitely call for some serious thought, especially when it comes to how safe and effective they really are. Sure, there are studies suggesting that certain herbal supplements, saffron, could help with mental health. But the thing is, how consistent are these results, really? Take, for example, a controlled trial where they saw some improvement in young people dealing with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Even there, the researchers pointed out that what the kids said and what their parents noticed didn’t always line up, suggesting it might work differently for different people (Drummond et al., 2018). Then you’ve got a review looking at acupuncture and herbs for premenstrual syndrome. It showed some relief, but the studies themselves weren’t that big, and the methods used weren’t always top-notch, which makes you wonder if the results hold up in the long run, or apply to everyone (Kim DI et al., 2014). So, while herbal treatments might seem like a good option, we need to make sure we really nail down how safe they are, how well they actually work, and that we put them to the test in proper clinical trials.
IV. Comparative Analysis of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Approaches
When exploring treatments for depression and anxiety, it’s useful to compare herbal and pharmaceutical options, focusing on how well they work, how safe they are, and how patients feel about them. Medicines like SSRIs are clinically proven to help, but side effects can push people toward other options. Herbal remedies, like St. John’s Wort, are popular because they seem natural and have fewer side effects reported. It’s worth noting that Ginkgo biloba, for instance, comes up a lot when talking about possible benefits and drawbacks, so it’s good to be careful (Chillemi E et al., 2014). Additionally, some research suggests that acupuncture and herbal remedies can really help with things like premenstrual syndrome, hinting that these approaches could work for some people (Kim DI et al., 2014). So, while both ways have something to offer, more research would help us understand how they stack up against each other for mental health overall.
A. Effectiveness of herbal vs. pharmaceutical treatments
The discussion around how well herbal treatments work for depression and anxiety, when stacked up against pharmaceutical options, has really picked up steam in both the academic world and in clinical practice. Pharmaceutical drugs, which often come with side effects and the risk of dependency, are usually the go-to treatment. But herbal remedies, like St. John’s Wort and other plant-based therapies, have become alternatives people are considering. Studies seem to be showing that these herbal options could help ease symptoms, and maybe with fewer bad side effects, hinting at them being fairly safe. For example, one review pointed out that treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine led to noticeable improvements in things like premenstrual syndrome, with more than half the people in the study saying their symptoms got better. This underlines how they might help with mood issues and stress-related symptoms (Kim DI et al., 2014). Plus, as integrative medicine becomes more popular, it’s super important to look at how herbal supplements and regular medications might interact, especially for groups like veterans, where other health problems might make treatment trickier (Aiello et al., 2018). So, taking a good look at and comparing these different treatment methods is key for creating well-rounded and effective ways to tackle mental health.
B. Patient preferences and accessibility issues
When we look at how patients feel about herbal versus pharmaceutical treatments for depression and anxiety, alongside how easy it is for them to get these treatments, it’s clear that how happy they are with their treatment really affects how well it works. A lot of people seem to like old-fashioned herbal medicines better, thinking they’re easier to get and fit better with what they believe. This might be because of something called the hedonic placebo effect, where just taking traditional medicines makes people feel better, even if there’s not a lot of scientific proof (Costa-i-Font et al., 2012). Also, getting access to treatments is a big deal. Patients often have trouble getting regular pharmaceutical drugs because they cost too much, aren’t available, or the healthcare system doesn’t work well. It’s really important to think about how people try to get healthy. Discussions at events like the 3rd Java International Nursing Conference highlight the need to consider patient experiences when treating them in clinics and in their communities (Nurmalia (Editor) et al., 2015).
C. Integration of both approaches in treatment plans
Combining herbal and pharmaceutical methods in depression and anxiety treatment is becoming a really important step forward in mental health. Healthcare providers can create full treatment plans that deal with both the symptoms and the root causes by mixing the power of regular medicines with the overall health benefits of herbal treatments. For example, patients might feel better emotionally when they use herbal medicines with their regular antidepressants, which can lead to a better life and easier management of side effects (Howard et al., 2015). This combined method not only makes the treatment options wider but also takes into account what patients like, helping them stick to their treatment plans. Plus, knowing things like a patient’s age, education, and how far their illness has progressed can help doctors choose the right herbal and pharmaceutical treatments, making sure the plans fit what each patient needs (Catalani et al., 2019). So, putting these two treatment types together looks like it could provide more useful and customized care in mental health.
Holistic nursing professionals can also guide individuals in properly utilizing in a safe way the integration of herbal remedies with pharmaceutical medications.
V. Conclusion
To conclude, combining herbal remedies with pharmaceutical drugs presents a potentially beneficial strategy for treating depression and anxiety, offering a more comprehensive approach to mental health care. Research has demonstrated, for example, that compounds such as curcumin possess notable anti-inflammatory effects, indicating a possible role in affecting mood disorders (Peng Y et al., 2021). This highlights the value of integrating both traditional and modern medical practices to potentially improve treatment effectiveness and patient results. Additionally, as emphasized in current guidelines, the importance of personalized treatment plans highlights the necessity of accounting for individual patient needs and preferences when managing these mental health issues (Sharon L Kolasinski et al., 2020). As clinicians and researchers further investigate the interactions between herbal treatments and conventional medications, a deeper understanding of these dynamics will probably result in improved care for depression and anxiety, leading to better overall mental well-being across various populations.
It is always important to consult a physician or mental health professional when supplementing herbal remedies with pharmaceutical ones. Sometimes, they share similar traits that can enhance the prescription in power and increase a desired effect, or another herb may counteract a different medical prescription. Ultimately, herbal remedies can serve as a long term supplement when used correctly and under care with less side effects but many require pharmaceutical treatments in more acute cases.
Please review AIHCP’s Stress Management Program, as well as its Holistic Nursing Program.
A. Summary of key findings
When we consider the main points about using both herbal remedies and prescribed drugs for depression and anxiety, we see that these two types of treatments affect each other in complicated ways. Lots of people use herbal medicines together with their prescriptions, especially older folks; numbers show that anywhere from about 5% to almost 90% do this (A Cherubini et al., 2017). Antidepressants are often taken with herbs like St. John’s Wort, which worries doctors because these combinations might cause problems, particularly with bleeding (A Cherubini et al., 2017). Also, even though we don’t have a lot of scientific proof that traditional medicine works well, people seem happy with it, maybe because of a strong placebo effect that makes them feel good. Because of all this, it’s important for doctors to really understand what their patients are doing to take care of themselves and to think about how helpful treatments are, both in terms of the process and the results.
B. Implications for future research and treatment
Delving into both herbal and pharmaceutical approaches to tackle depression and anxiety carries weighty implications for what’s next in research and treatments. The latest breakthroughs in grasping how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) work hint that we might be able to design drugs that are much better at targeting mental health issues (Yang D et al., 2021). On another front, looking at herbal remedies that have historically been used for breathing problems, especially during today’s health scares, has shown they could be helpful additions to treatment plans (Dâmaris Silveira et al., 2020). This blend of old herbal wisdom and new pharmaceuticals really drives home the point that we need thorough clinical trials to check if these combinations are both effective and safe. If we push for these combined methods, future research could really open doors to tailored treatments that improve how patients do overall, all while tackling the many-sided challenges of mental health more broadly.
C. Final thoughts on the role of herbal and pharmaceutical drugs in mental health care
To sum up, looking at both herbal remedies and pharmaceutical drugs in mental health care, you find a tricky mix that really needs some thought. Things are always changing in mental health, and both ways of treating it have their good points. For quite a few people dealing with depression and anxiety, pharmaceutical drugs have shown they can work well. On the other hand, herbal treatments might add some extra help, maybe without as many side effects as some of the drugs. Still, there’s a chance that drugs could interact with each other, especially for certain groups like veterans, who might have specific health concerns. That’s why it’s so important to tailor treatment to each person. (Aiello et al., 2018) Also, nootropics are becoming more popular, showing that people are really interested in boosting their brainpower, probably because society is pushing for better mental performance in demanding situations. (Bersani et al., 2020) So, when it comes down to it, the best way forward could be a whole-person approach that focuses on being safe, giving personalized care, and putting different methods together. This could really help folks who are having a hard time with their mental health.
AIHCP Blogs and Videos
Holistic Herbs Video- Access here
Additional Resources
Pope, C (2023). “Benzodiazepines”. Drugs.com. Access here
“Benzodiazepines”. Medicine.net. Access here
Pope, C. (2023). “SSRI Drugs List” Drugs.com. Access here
Syed, P & Kubala, J. (2025). “6 Herbal Treatments That May Help Depression Symptoms”. Healthline. Access here
Understanding Substance Abuse and Addiction: The 12 Steps of AA Video Blog
Addiction is more than physical but an emotional and spiritual journey. AA and its 12 Step Program has helped many through the difficult process. This video reviews the 12 steps and why they are important. Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Practitioner Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.
Healthcare Certification Blog: Empathy in Counseling
Empathy is big word in counseling. It is also foundational in how counselors and pastors help others heal. One of the biggest misnomers of counseling is the counselor fixes the person and details the agenda a person must follow to heal. This is farther from the truth. Emotional pain is not so easy to heal as if a recipe in a cook book. Instead it is a messy, usually not outlined path of progress and regress, emotions, and time. The counselor is more a beacon that guides than a drill sergeant who commands. Empathy is one of the key skills that serves as a way to help the client heal and become resilient. This does not mean that confrontation is not sometimes needed when maladaptive ideas and practices are destroying a client’s life but it does mean that empathy gives room for mutual sojourning and walking together in the feelings of the situation. This allows for self awareness and real conversion within the person instead of superficial direction and forced change that never lasts. So why counselors would on many occasions love to tell the client this is what the you need to do and how to do it, the science of psychology and counseling suggests otherwise.
In this short blog we will take a closer look at the role of empathy in the therapeutic counseling relationship. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Certifications and see which ones best match your academic and professional goals.
Empathy vs Sympathy
Carl Rogers emphasized in counseling the critical importance of genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard. While these may seem like fluffy and soft terms that overlook right and wrong, they are critical to counseling in helping individuals discover right and wrong without scolding, admonishing, or ridiculing. Those in trauma or pain need a non-judgmental caring ear to listen and through that listening, foster change. The traumatized, mentally ill, and emotional unstable face a cold world already where they are marginalized, ridiculed, and judged. While abuse destroys human bonds, empathy can restore them. Counseling is a therapy that is not meant to make judgements but to help individuals discover healthy and good ways to heal. Instead of the dogmatic voice that says this is right or wrong (and it has a place), the counseling session looks to heal via listening and understanding and helping the person come to self actualization of the correct course. The counseling room is not the pulpit, but is a healing modality that looks to guide via a different route. Counseling understands empathy best produces change rather than lectures that only create more anger and disobedience and resistance. Ultimately empathy in counseling can lead a client to higher self-awareness, self experience and find a true joy in connecting and continuing the communication and connection with the counselor (Cochran, 2021, p. 64-67).
According to Cochran, empathy is not a thought process (2021, p. 56). Instead it is a natural connection with a person. It permits the counselor to feel what the other person feels. So when a gay man traumatically describes abuse at a young age, a counselor who is heterosexual does not see different sexual orientations, but the feeling of rejection and pain with their fellow human being. Likewise, a Caucasian counselor, can find empathy with a African American client who discusses the trauma of being racially profiled by the police. One does not need to share the event, or even agree with the client but they share the emotions felt by the client. This is the key difference between empathy and sympathy. Sympathy does not share in the feeling but it feels sorry for the person. Sympathy is good to have for someone but in counseling it is counter productive. Clients are not looking for someone to feel sorry for them but for someone to help them. They are looking for someone to feel what they feel and help them move forward. Empathy is hence walking with the person not just merely observing and offering condolences (Cochran, 2021, p. 57). Rogers states, empathy means to “sense the client’s private world as if it were your own but without ever losing the “as if” quality” (Cochran, 2021, p. 58). Of course, this does not mean, one who is empathetic must agree with the person’s choices, life styles or past actions, but it allows the counselor to help the person at a deep level to find healing and change.
This closely ties into Unconditional Positive Regard which is another key concept of Rogers which demands counselors fully accept the client in all their complete wholeness and shower them with unconditional understanding. Unconditional Positive Regard retains the autonomy of the client to learn how to change on their own terms. Rogers listed warmth, acceptance and prizing as three key elements of UPR. Warmth represents the care of the client and genuine empathy. It is the fertile soil that produces a an atmosphere of trust and disclosure. Acceptance is the ability of the counselor without bias to accept the immediate emotions of a person in counseling-whether illogical, angry, hateful, confused or resenting (Cochran, 2021, p. 103). Prizing involves raising the self esteem of the patient by accepting them with praise as they are but also highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in a honest and genuine way. Again, this type of emotional connection does not mean counselors accept statements, values, or actions of a client, but it does mean the regard is sincere and grants the client a sense of trust that if they make a mistake or trip and fall emotionally, there is no condition. When conditions are placed for approval, then the healing process becomes manufactured. It is through this type of positive regard that a client can flourish and heal because the client knows someone has their back in the good and the bad. This type of positive relationship in fact helps the client at an internal level look to become better intrinsically based not on reward but because it is the right thing to do. Once a client believe it is the right path without being told, then the client begins to truly transform and change. Through empathy, genuineness and employment of unconditional positive regard, the necessary emotional seeds can plant natural and self employed change at the guidance of a gentle counseling hand.
Displaying Empathy
Sometimes the hardest part for empathy to flourish in a counseling relationship is the counselor. Whether lack of practicing it or lack of patience for its fruits to develop, the counselor is ultimately responsible for establishing a secure and trusting environment where difficult emotions can be felt and discussed. One element is the fear of letting go. Some counselors may feel the need to control and direct a session and conditionally expect certain behaviors and decisions. They lack an empathetic skillset to confront a client with an emotional situation. It is hence important for counselors sometimes to allow the session to develop as the client dictates and to attempt to understand the client by what is revealed.
In expressing empathy, counselors need to match emotions with tones, expressions, movements and words (Cochran, 2021., p. 79 to 80). Sometimes naming the emotion and restating it to a client can help reflection but also show empathetic listening. This is also true when expressing empathetic confrontation which looks to indirectly help a person reflect on a statement. When stating a statement about what the person is feeling, state in in a declarative statement, but if uncertain, express it in a tentative declarative tone that is open for correction. In these reflections, a counselor can also reflect themes in paraphrasing one’s feelings. Themes that keep appearing in a person’s story or how one feels can be expertly restated and paraphrased to an individual to again not only show the counselor is listening but also to emphasize. This can be done in a statement but also in an attempt to empathetically confront a particular feeling (Cochran, 2021, p. 81-82). Empathetic confrontation eliminates the fear to allow clients to be confronted with some of their own statements. Counselors should be prepared to be corrected at times, if they misstate what a client said, or if their tentative declaration is misspoken. In these cases, this should not be seen as an affront but for a better opportunity to understand and help heal. Most clients will not be offended by this but thankful the counselor is listening and trying to understand. This can open to further and deeper exploration of the topic. Of course, it is also good to use appropriate questions to better understand. The questions must be natural however and not in the probing nature that looks to pick. This can make a client feel as if he or she is being interrogated.
Within empathetic counseling, it is important as the counselor to avoid making assessment statements or make the client feel as if he or she is being assessed. In addition, the counselor should not have a surprise hidden agenda that the counselor hopes to reveal and have the client realize. This leads to an unnatural direction that is void of truly listening and feeling. Counselors should also avoid doing most of the speaking and talking in these types of sessions, as well as avoid “me too” or “must feel” statements that can assume or take away from the client’s expression of feelings (Cochran, 2021, p. 82).
Counselors hence need to be able to employ empathy in multiple ways. Compton lists numerous ways, counselors can better express empathy and utilize it in counseling. He suggests becoming attuned with the client. Through attunement the counselor resonates the feelings of the victim/survivor (2024, p. 181). In addition Compton emphasizes the importance of co-regulation where the counselor is better able to help the client manage emotions. This is accomplished through mirroring and reflecting back, modeling after the client’s tone and motions and checking in on the level of distress a victim/survivor is feeling (2024, p. 182). The counselor enters into a posture of curiosity that portrays a genuine desire to understand the client (Compton, 2024, p. 183). In helping with emotions, counselors can also via prizing help highlight strengths of clients and adopt a perspective that looks how those strengths helped them survive and continue to survive.
Counselors also need to practice humility with empathy. Humility realizes that not all the right answers or skills are found within oneself but to look to the client as well as other professionals to find the needed solutions. This leads to not becoming over defensive if one is wrong with assumption, as well as being humble before a person’s experience as well as a person’s cultural identity (Compton, 2024. p. 183-184). Through this humility, the counselor looks to empower the victim/survivor to take an active role in healing and working with the counselor to find it.
Counselors in empathy must also display patience. The healing process is not linear or fast. It takes time to help someone find healing. When in empathy, feelings are not rushed but felt as they truly are and experienced until resolution and healing is found. During this process, empathy shares in the small victories and joys of self actualization, self worth and healing as the person transforms (Compton, 2024. p. 185).
Of course in all empathy, one finds that all important circle of trust. Within that trust comes a no-judgement zone and unconditional positive regard. However, trust is earned. Individuals suffering from abuse and trauma may not trust at first and be wary of words and especially physical touch. Through time and patience, confidentiality will be restored but again, empathy demands to feel what the moment dictates and the state of being currently within the client (Compton, 2024, p. 187).
Conclusion
Empathy is critical to helping people change because it is not authoritarian or dogmatic. Counseling is a healing modality and through empathy, one heals but also is guided through an empathetic ear with unconditional positive regard and genuineness that permits the person to see him/herself and come to conclusions that are healthy and good for his/her feeling. Counselors must be willing to let go of control, face hard feelings, eliminate personal judgement and bias, and allow the person to learn about oneself as the sessions continue. This does not mean the counselor can disagree internally, or not confront negative thoughts and emotions in an empathetic way, but it does does mean it gives the client a driver seat in pushing forward in self discovery, healing and a future way of living. Counselors need to facilitate the environment for this by displaying certain skills of empathy, unconditional positive regard and genuineness as espoused by Carl Rogers to achieve these results. Ultimately empathy in every venue of care is essential. It not just a counseling issue but also in all venues of healthcare itself.
Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Certifications, especially in Crisis Intervention, Grief Counseling, Christian and Spiritual Counseling and Trauma Informed Care programs.
Additional Blogs
Counseling When Trauma Emerges- Click here
Rogerian Counseling- Click here
Resource
Cochran, J & Cochran, N. (2021). “The Heart of Counseling: Practical Counseling Skills Through Therapeutic Relationships” 3rd Ed. Routledge
Compton, L & Patterson, T (2024). “Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church” Intervarsity Press.
Additional Resources
The Role of Empathy in Effective Counselling. (2024). Mental Mastery. Access here
“Accurate Empathic Understanding: A Core Component of Client-Centered Counseling” (2024). Psychology Town. Access here
Sutton, J. (2021). “Unconditional Positive Regard: 17 Worksheets & Activities”. Positive Psychology. Access here
Cherry, K. (2024). “Unconditional Positive Regard in Psychology”. Very Well Mind. Access here
The Devastating Impact of Trauma on Children and Adolescents
The mental health crisis in the world is not just due to mental pathologies but also equally due to trauma induced upon children. The World Health Organization estimates that 2 out of 3 children in the United States to 75 percent of children worldwide will experience some type of trauma before age 16 (Compton, 2024., p. 199). This can range from a variety of natural traumas but also human induced traumas and social settings that lead to Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE. Aside from natural disasters or deaths of family members, many traumas include physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect and communal levels of poverty, lack of resources, or communities with higher crime rates (Compton, 2024, p. 200). Other children may experiences war zones, terrorism, refugee life, human trafficking, or famine and disease.
Innocent minds that are exposed to the cruelty of life at an early age without care or guidance can lead to future mental crisis that lashes out against the world and society. While never justified, many of these injured individuals later injure others through crime, violence, shootings, and abuse. Broken creatures abused can sometimes fail to see a loving God, or fair world and see life as a competition of kill or be killed. Amazingly, many still become good people but nonetheless suffer from immeasurable emotional and mental pain that can cripple them from having a successful life in interacting and behaving with others.
The corruption of innocence is the purest form of evil. When littles ones are corrupted, one can only think of the verse from the Bible and the words of Jesus Christ, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better to him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and drowned in the depth of the sea (Matt 18:6). I think whether Christian or Atheist, religious or secular, one can agree with these words and understand the importance of protecting children and helping them heal. The scars of trauma can cause future traumas to society, so it is important to understand the affects of trauma on children and how if left untreated can realign a child’s future into one of increased pain, maladaptive coping and social dysfunction.
Please also review AIHCP’s Mental and Behavioral Health Certifications, including its Trauma Informed Care Program.
The Vulnerability of Children to Effects of Trauma
The innocence of children makes them more susceptible to abuse. In addition, their size and inability to defend themselves emotionally and physically also make them targets for further abuse or less able to defend themselves against various threats. Since children’s brains are still developing, trauma of any type can have greater long term negative effects on their development. Trauma and abuse can stunt social development because of the increased neuroplasticity of the child’s brain as compared to any other age, During this phase, the brain is forming new neuropathways and cognitively is learning and associating learning and new experiences with how one interacts and properly behaves. Neglect, trauma and abuse can alter proper pathways and instead create negative lasting impressions on the brain that reduce trust and the concept of safety, as well as mental health, relationships, and overall life schemas (Compton, 2024, p. 141).
The brain itself during developed can be damaged due to severe trauma in children. Trauma in children can negatively affect the brain’s ability to cooperate and communicate with other parts of the brain. Compton refers to this as Neural dis-integration (2024, p. 142). When trauma occurs the brain dis-integrates neural networks causing this lack of communication and cooperation which leaves some parts of the brain disrupted from certain important neurochemicals. This can also lead to various issues with the amygdala, hippocampus and other prefrontal cortex regions (Compton, 2024, p. 142). The longer chronic trauma remains, the more altered the child’s world view may become leading to less reasoning, learning and impulse control and replaced with distorted thinking and feelings about the world.
Children who respond to trauma exhibit the same responses adults experience when the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Children will fight, flight, freeze or fawn like anyone else but these reactions by children also exhibit within their daily lives. Children in chronic stress due to abuse or neglect will experience not only physical health issues but also cognitive and emotional issues. Children who display fight as a primary response will exhibit more aggressive, defiant or confrontational behavior in life. Children who display flight as a primary response will exhibit avoidance and escapism in life. Children who display freeze as a primary response will exhibit lack of lack of normal emotional responses or motor activity in life. Finally, children who display fawn will exhibit more appeasing and pleasing behaviors in life (Compton, 2024, p. 143).
ACE AND PCE
Adverse childhood experiences and Positive childhood experiences play a large role in a person’s life and their future mental health. It also plays a large role in a person’s ability to form healthy attachment schemas in life. Adverse childhood experiences refer to events that affect a child’s life in a negative way. These adverse childhood experiences can be actual events but also deeper seeded social issues that act as roots to the trauma tree and its many branches and fruits. Adverse Community Environments or roots of the problem include multiple negative social issues such as poverty, discrimination, community disruption, lack of economic mobility and opportunity, poor housing and frequent exposure to social violence.
Braffenbrenner proposed various systems that play a large role around one’s development. The microsystem is a person or child’s immediate circle of family, friends, school, or for adults work. The next phase in the circle includes the exosystem which includes mass media, extended family, as well as local government. The macrosystem and next layer to the circle includes major economic, political and cultural issues. Finally, the most outward layer i the chronosystem of major changes and shifts in life which can be personal losses, or major national changes in life such as a pandemic or war. These shifts are predictable and unpredictable, as well as positive and negative. These systems can all affect other systems which in turn can affect the child or person.
In regards to positive childhood experiences, or PCE, the Hope National Research Center did substantial research on the effect of PCE in a person’s life. Obviously, a person with more positive events in childhood will have a more stable mental outlook in life. Even those with 1 to 2 positive experiences, according to the research, showed a 51 percent of better mental health outcomes. 3 to 5 positive experiences led to 75 percent better chance of good mental health, and 6 to 7 PCE illustrated over 90 percent better mental health. Even if one experienced 4 ACE or adverse childhood experiences, the presence of PCE balanced out less stability in the person’s mental health. Those with higher PCE in their childhood, move on to not only have better mental health, but also better academic scores, degrees, income and employment. Even more amazing is the fact that even individuals with very little ACE, but also very little PCE or none, grew up to have more mental health issues just due to the fact there was nothing positive as a child. This leads to the crucial importance of PCE laid out by the Hope National Research Center. Children need stability and positive experiences to balance out any bad but to also give them the tools they need to grow into healthy adults. This falls into place with healthy and stable relationships, environments, engagements in social developments, and emotional growth opportunities. In many ways, these correlates with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and ensuring these basic needs are met for children to promote healthy emotional and mental health.
In essence, as caregivers, what we give our children is what our future will be.
Attachment Schemas
A child void of unnecessary traumas and who is supported by loving caregivers during times of distress form a healthy worldview about life. There is trust and there is safety and there are resources available to overcome negative events. These secure attachment schemas leave the child with hope and as the child enters into adulthood, presents the child with the necessary beliefs and skills to form health and secure relationships. In addition, the child will have a healthier self worth of one’s value as a human being. This does not mean, the child’s life was perfect. No-one has a perfect and suffering free life, but the child was given support in the good and bad days physically, emotionally and mentally (Compton, 2024, p. 145).
Children who are neglected, abused, exposed to trauma and receive no support, care, or safety grow up with a very different view on life. Different attachment schemas develop from this neglect. Anxious attachment in children is one type schema that develops from lack of a safe and loving environment. Children with anxious attachment schemas possess a fear and uncertainty of how a caregiver will respond in a negative event. Due to lack of consistent love and care, these children experience a lack of self confidence. They may doubt their own abilities and became very dependent on others. Anxious attachment is closely associated with heightened anxiety to threats which in turn leads to children have exaggerated responses that deny the child the ability to soothe oneself (Compton, 2024, p. 146). This type of anxious disorder leads to a behavior that does not trust, nor is able to with confidence handle life long issues without dependence upon others. Children can exhibit this when stressors strike.
Another schema that can develop is the Avoidant attachment schema. This dismissive attitude is the opposite reaction of the Anxious attachment schema because it leaves the child to avoid all help from caregivers. It forges a unhealthy self reliance that fears intimacy and the words of others. These individuals are hesitant to ask for help and are skeptical of others intentions. In turn, they have a difficult time forming relationships and working with others. This prevents the child and later adult from forming meaningful and emotional relationships (Compton, 2024, p. 147).
Finally, some children develop a Disorganized attachment schema. Due to inconsistent and unpredictable caregiver outcomes, these children do not form a consistent reaction but present a disorganized reaction that at times can turn to someone and in other instances push someone away. This chaos results from the caregivers inconsistent approaches of giving security at one moment, then perhaps abuse in another moment. This type of chaos creates a very confused child with multiple internal conflicts. This leads to severe dysregulation and lack of emotional control. Many who develop Disorganized attachment are at higher risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD (Compton, 2024, p. 147).
Reestablishing Health Schemas
Fortunately, safe-guarders such as teachers, educators, counselors, pastors, or even friends can help reestablish healthier schemas. The brain can re-learn that security exists but this takes time, patience, and love. The relearning of healthier schemas is referred to as “earned-secure attachment” (Compton, 2024, p.148). Helpers can reinitiate the attachment cycle and help children heal. Calm caregivers can help children by hoping them co-regulate their emotions. The child can borrow and regulate from the safety and peace of a regulated adult (Compton, 2024, p. 148). Through this newly forged relationship, new trust and new secure schemas can re-emerge. This is by far not easy. The previous schemas are firmly planted but they can slowly give way to new ways of thought within the neuroplasticity of the brain and form new neuropathways with better experiences. It is important to note that individuals from trauma go through phases of reintegration. First they feel unsafe with the world. As security arises, they may start to feel safe but still trust no-one. Once trust and security is given, victims can begin to regain power, build self esteem and then finally reconnect in secure attachments.
Compton lists a few key elements that must be present in this re-scheming of a child’s worldview. Children should feel safety in the emotional connection with the counselor or pastor. They should feel a nurturing environment that accepts them. When the child feels unconditionally loved and also secure, then the child can begin to lower his/her defenses. Safety must also be experienced in guidance and discipline. Children should be able to express their emotions without fear of ridicule or scolding or judgement. Behavioral outbursts due to trauma need to be measured and understood as negative reactions to a traumatic event. Instead of discipline, the child needs to learn to express and emotionally regulate and communicate the distress. Instead, the counselor or new caregiver needs to communicate boundaries and the expected and consistent behavior associated with those boundaries. Boundaries that are given with consistency, empathy and love can help the child understand better appropriate and inappropriate reactions that he/she has developed due to bad attachment schemas. These types of boundaries lead to predictability. When establishing a new and healthy schema, the child needs to again find security in a consistent responses to situations. The inconsistent care is what caused the anxious and avoidant and disorganized schemas, so a consistent care plan can help a child feel security and what to expect in life. This consistency and predictability gives order and the order gives the child security. Finally, Compton emphasizes the importance of safety in play and connection. Children need to play. Play is a key part of their growth and where they also express themselves. Children need to understand they are safe when playing and able to grow in a safe environment. When such safety to play and feel secure is afforded on a consistent basis, the child is able to form more secure attachments (2024, P.149-152)>
Conclusion
The most criminal act is to steal a childhood from a child and rip away the innocence through abuse and trauma. Unfortunately, many children suffer from trauma worldwide without any loving or healing voice. Some may experience trauma at the hands of persons, others due to extreme poverty and crime, while others due to war and natural disaster. These traumas negatively effect the whole child. In turn, abused and traumatized children experience distorted schemas and views on life which included various mental and emotional issues that later creep into adult life. In regards to relational attachments, many children exhibit anxious, avoidant or disorganized patterns that negatively affect their socialization and trust. Without trust, safety, and predictability many children develop anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Fortunately, the human soul is resilient. Caregivers can reconnect with children and help them form new experiences by allowing them to lean on and borrow from their healthy regulated mind. In addition, new secure schemas can be reformed by providing safety, security, empathy, love, patience and forming boundaries and schedules that help the child heal and grow from past experiences.
Please also review AIHCP’s Behavioral Healthcare Certifications, as well as its Trauma Informed Care Certification.
Additional Blogs
Attachment Disorder: Click here
RAD: Click here
Trauma and Counseling: Click here
Resource
Compton, L & Patterson, T (2024). “Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church”. Academic
Additional Resources
“Understanding Childhood Trauma and Its Long-Term Impact”. (2025). American SPCC. Access here
Copley, L. (2024). “Childhood Trauma & Its Lifelong Impact: 12 Resources”. Positive Psychology. Access here
Morin, A.. (2023). “Understanding the Effects of Childhood Trauma” Very Well Mind. Access here
“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children” (2025). CDC. Access here
“Child Trauma” SAMHSA. Access here