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Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a psychological disorder that can occur in response to prolonged, repeated experience of interpersonal trauma in a context where the individual has little or no chance of escape.

It’s distinguished from PTSD in that it often refers to a sequence or series of traumatic events, usually within a confined situation, as opposed to a single event.

Whereas people with PTSD mostly experience:

• Hyperarousal / Hypervigilance
• Re-experiencing / Intrusive Symptoms / Flashbacks
• Eventual Constriction / Shutdown / Avoidance of life

People with CPTSD also suffer from:

• Identity disturbances / Negative self-concept / Shame
• Affect dysregulation
• Connection / Interpersonal disturbances

From a NeuroAffective Relational Model™ (NARM™) perspective, C-PTSD is viewed as a disorder that affects self-regulation, identity disturbances, and connections with others.

NARM uses a model of identity that emphasizes the dynamic interplay between the biological and psychological development of the individual and their social environment. The ultimate goal of NARM is to help individuals re-establish their capacity for self-regulation and relational engagement.

CPTSD is not recognized by the DSM and is not eligible for reimbursement by therapists in the United States.

However, the ICD-11 now recognizes Complex PTSD as encompassing the fundamental symptoms of PTSD, together with three further clusters of symptoms, often termed ‘disturbances in self-organization’ or ‘DSO’:

• Issues with emotional regulation that may manifest as pronounced irritability, anger, or a sense of emotional numbness
• Self-perceptions of being reduced, defeated, or valueless, paired with feelings of shame, guilt, or failure tied to the traumatic episode
• Struggles in maintaining relationships and experiencing closeness with others

Often conflated with C-PTSD, it is actually a specific form of C-PTSD, with prolonged interpersonal trauma occurring at an early point in development.

DTD stems from a variety of early environmental failures in childhood that cause long-term negative impacts on psychological & physical functioning. These experiences can include chronic neglect, ongoing emotional abuse, prolonged separation from primary caregivers, or exposure to violence.

From a NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) perspective, developmental trauma is seen as affecting the development of identity and the ability to form healthy relationships. NARM is a therapeutic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of psychological issues, emotional health, and physical well-being.

NARM views developmental trauma as disruptions or distortions in the normal process of identity formation. It focuses on five core survival styles that were adaptive, even life-saving, as children, but hold us back now:

• Connection: Difficulties feeling connected to oneself and others
• Attunement: Struggles with understanding one’s own needs and emotions or those of others
• Trust: A pervasive sense of mistrust in oneself or others
• Autonomy: Challenges with self-regulation and asserting one’s needs
• Love-Sexuality: Conflicts between the need for intimacy and the fear of it

As your trauma recovery coach, I’m here to guide you in gently becoming aware of the survival adaptations you’ve developed due to past traumas. By bringing these into conscious awareness, you can gain a sense of agency over your life.

This understanding leads to self-organization, where you can effectively manage your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Ultimately, recognizing and addressing these survival mechanisms empower you to heal, grow, and foster healthier relationships.

My goal is to be an “exquisitely safe enough” coach, which can be a transformative experience, especially if you have a history of traumatic upbringing.

Over time my consistency, reassurance, and safe demeanor will help rewrite your expectations of relationships and internalize a “safe other” good object. I offer a space of understanding and acceptance that can starkly contrast with your past experiences.

Gradually our nurturing interaction can shift your perspective, helping you generalize this newfound safety to your entire world. You will begin to see possibilities of trust and positive interactions, not only within our coaching relationship but in all areas of your life. This transformation can be profound, enabling you to approach life with renewed confidence and optimism.

Also, we will explore the interconnectedness of your psychological issues, nervous system dysregulation, and the impacts of trauma. We will identify and address the survival styles that have become your default coping mechanisms.

Awareness of how we are interpreting and causing our experience when combined with self-compassion and self-acceptance naturally leads to freedom of choice. Old patterns can be replaced with agency, self-efficacy, resourcefulness & aliveness.

As you grow more conscious of your patterns, you will acquire greater control over your reactions, leading to an improved ability to self-organize. This process doesn’t only empower you, but it also cultivates resilience and adaptability. It equips you with the skills to steer your life more efficiently and confront challenging situations with heightened independence and ingenuity.

This empowering journey ultimately sets you free, enabling you not to be dependent on therapists or coaches ever again, as you master the art of self-reliance and emotional intelligence.

Narcissistic abuse refers to the emotional and psychological harm inflicted by individuals with narcissistic tendencies.

The abusive strategies they often employ include gaslighting, a manipulative tactic that skews your sense of reality, leading you to question your own recollections and perceptions. Other methods include projective identification, belittling, ceaseless criticism, emotional manipulation, and withholding affection.

These tactics often leave you feeling undermined, worthless, and emotionally depleted, causing significant psychological distress and damaging your self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

Enduring narcissistic abuse over a prolonged period can lead to Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). The relentless manipulation, degradation, and invalidation that typify narcissistic abuse foster an environment of fear, neglect, and instability.

This forces you to reside in a state of continual anxiety and stress. Over time, this chronic stress triggers emotional flashbacks, toxic shame, feelings of hopelessness and despair, and difficulties in your relationships.

As your Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, I will provide essential support for you as a victim of Narcissistic Abuse in several ways. I will help you understand and process the complex emotional trauma you have endured. As somebody who has lived it, I can fast-track your understanding and removal of self-doubt.

Validating your experiences, assisting you in recognizing patterns of abuse, and providing tools for emotional regulation play a role. I will also guide you in setting healthy boundaries, improving your self-esteem, and developing resilience against future manipulation.

Moreover, I will provide a safe space for you to share your experiences without judgment or fear. I will guide you towards healing by helping you reconnect with your core values, reclaim your identity, and work towards self-empowerment.

Using therapeutic techniques tailored to your unique needs, I will aid in your recovery process from the emotional and psychological damage caused by narcissistic abuse.

Family scapegoating abuse is a deeply insidious form of psychoemotional mistreatment that often goes unrecognized. If you’ve experienced this, you have felt minimized, dismissed, or invalidated, even when seeking understanding, clarity, or help.

This leads to confusion and isolation, but it’s important to understand that it’s not your fault. The abusive bullying you have endured is a reflection of the dysfunction in your family, not a statement about your worth or character. You were simply innocent and there.

Since this abuse is generally invisible to the outside world and denied in the family system, it causes intense self-doubt and an inability to self-regulate.

Parents who engage in scapegoating have their own unresolved issues, such as untreated trauma or personality disorders. They painted you in an unfairly negative light, but this lopsided portrayal says nothing about you. They’ve never seen you.

If you’ve grown up within a narcissistic family system, the maltreatment can be even more intense, as the narcissistic parent might have used you as a vessel for their repressed self-hatred. This isn’t remotely reflective of who you truly are.

Even though family scapegoating is deeply isolating, recognizing it for what it is – systemic bullying and abuse – is a crucial step towards healing and reclaiming your self-worth.

Here’s how I can help:

• Understanding the Abuse: As your coach, I’ll help you understand the nature and dynamics of family scapegoating abuse. We’ll delve into how it operates within families and why it’s not a reflection of your worth but indicative of your family’s dysfunction.
• Compassionate & Non-Judgmental Validation: You will feel validated and witnessed in our sessions. You can share your experiences, feelings, and thoughts without fear of criticism or dismissal, which heals. Believe me, I get this and will believe you.
• Dissolving Self-Doubt: A lifetime of gaslighting and distortion makes it impossible for survivors to trust their own perceptions, rendering them confused and unable to act. We’ll get you to the point where you know what you know, and act confidently upon it.
• Setting Boundaries: Together, we’ll work on setting healthy boundaries with your family members. This means getting comfortable saying no, understanding your rights, and creating distance from abusive people.
• Shedding Shame-Based Identity Distortions: There is, perhaps, no more shame-inducing experience than being your family’s scapegoat. We will recognize and releasing shame-based narratives about yourself. We’ll aim to integrate disowned aspects of your identity and foster a healthier self-image.
• Emotional Support: In our sessions, I’ll provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to express your feelings and experiences. This can be hugely beneficial if you’ve been unheard for too long.
• Skills Development: I’ll teach you strategies to manage the emotional distress caused by the abuse. This includes various somatic & psychological techniques.
• Realizing Your Potential: As your coach, I’ll support you in setting personal goals aligned with your values and aspirations. We’ll focus on moving you forward in life, away from the shadow of your abusive family, and towards fulfilling your dreams.
• Building Healthier Relationships: I’ll provide tools for you to build healthier relationships based on respect and mutual understanding. This can help you establish a supportive network outside of your family of origin, contributing greatly to your success.

Healing from family scapegoating abuse takes time and patience, but with the right support, you can reclaim your self-worth and live a fulfilling life.

It is worth the effort and I personally hope you start now.