Beyond the Event: Jane Mulcahy on Trauma as an Embodied Experience and Path to Healing

Trauma is an embodied experience

In a profoundly insightful episode of "Your Head in Mind," Kyle hosted Jane Mulcahy, who redefined trauma not merely as a psychological event, but as a deeply embodied experience. Affecting our physical body, mind, emotions, and nervous system, trauma’s lasting impact, Jane emphasized, is often intricately linked to the presence — or absence — of an empathetic witness during or after the traumatic event. This conversation offered a holistic understanding of trauma and a hopeful perspective on the path to healing.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify or watch it on YouTube.

Trauma: More Than Just an Event

Jane Mulcahy challenged the common misconception that trauma is solely a mental phenomenon. Instead, she described it as a fundamental shift in our neurobiology, prompted by distressing events but amplified by a lack of adequate support. This crucial distinction explains why not everyone who experiences a traumatic event becomes traumatized; the presence of an empathetic witness can significantly buffer its impact.

Trauma can often be hidden beneath the surface

The discussion explored various forms of trauma, highlighting their pervasive effects:

• "Big T" Trauma: These are often singular, overwhelming events such as accidents, assaults, or natural disasters.

  
  

• "Little T" Trauma: Frequently overlooked, these are the cumulative stresses from chronic, seemingly minor experiences like childhood neglect, constant criticism, bullying, or microaggressions. Jane underscored that their insidious accumulation can be just as impactful as a "Big T" trauma.

  
  

• Relational Trauma: Occurring within relationships, this type of trauma stems from a lack of safety, validation, or consistent presence, often manifesting as "Little T" trauma but with profound, long-term consequences.

  
  

Trauma's manifestations are diverse and can include chronic physical ailments (like fibromyalgia or migraines), emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, a feeling of disconnection from oneself, and behavioral patterns such as addiction or people-pleasing.

The Body's Role in Healing

Central to Jane's approach is the understanding of the nervous system's role. Trauma can dysregulate the vagus nerve, which is critical for regulating our body's fight, flight, or freeze responses. This dysregulation shrinks our "window of tolerance"—the optimal zone where we can process emotions effectively—leading to states of hyper- or hypo-arousal.

Trauma can be thought of as a learned response to past negative experiences

Healing, therefore, often involves bringing the nervous system back into regulation. Modalities that focus on somatic (body-based) work, nervous system regulation techniques, and establishing a safe, empathetic therapeutic relationship are vital. The compassionate presence of a therapist acts as that crucial "empathetic witness," helping to mend the ruptures caused by past lack of support.

Societal Barriers and the Path Forward

Modern society's emphasis on individualism and self-reliance can inadvertently hinder healing. The erosion of community and family support structures, combined with the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality, often discourages individuals from seeking the very support needed to process trauma.

Everyone can come towards the garden of healing

However, Jane Mulcahy’s insights offer profound hope: trauma is not a life sentence. Through a deeper understanding of its embodied nature, combined with compassionate support and various healing modalities, individuals can rediscover their inherent capacity for resilience and return to a more regulated, connected, and authentic life.

Continue the Conversation: Listen to Your Head in Mind

To gain a deeper understanding of trauma as an embodied experience and explore the paths to healing, tune into the full episode of "Your Head in Mind" with Jane Mulcahy.

• 🎧 Listen to Episode on Spotify

• ▶️ Watch Episode on YouTube