The Role of Touch in Healing from Sexual Trauma

The Role of Touch in Healing from Sexual Trauma

Author: Molly Coeling May 10, 2022 Duration: 35:45

"Many sexual trauma survivors went into a freeze state.. And so there's this sense of 'My body betrayed me, and I don't want to be in this body, but I'm stuck here, so I'm going to do the best job I can to not be here.' And that is the ultimate disconnection. So what we're going for is to start to reconnect that, just a little bit at a time, maybe at first just with questions and guidance, and little by little, help you start to recognize that your body is an ally in this process of healing. And in fact, because it was the site of the crime, it's also the site of immense healing. And until you can actually feel that, there are things you can't heal. There are things you can't heal with words because words weren't what injured you."

 

In this conversation, Molly and regular special guest Sarah Brennan share their perspective on the role of touch in healing from sexual trauma. Some of the themes they explore are:

  • The power of safe touch.
  • Doing TO the body or making the body DO versus feeling, experiencing, and listening to the body with genuine curiosity.
  • The body as key to healing injuries that were (and continue to be) experienced in the body.
  • Feeling betrayed by the body's response to assault or violation.
  • Feeling subtle sensations again (or for the first time) after only being able to feel extreme sensations or numbing out or being hypervigilant - or any combination of the aforementioned strategic adaptations.

 

 "People who are terrified need to get a sense of where their bodies are in space and of their boundaries.  Firm and reassuring touch lets them know where those boundaries are: what's outside them, where their bodies end. They discover they do not need to constantly wonder who and where they are. They discover their body is solid and they do not have to constantly be on guard. Touch lets them know they are safe." ~Bessel Van Der Kolk



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SUBSCRIBE to the show to be the first to hear about new episodes!

 

Contact Sarah: www.theembodyconnection.com // sarah@theembodyconnection.com

 

Contact Molly: www.theembodyconnection.com // molly@theembodyconnection.com

 

Book: The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel Van Der Kolk

 

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Special thanks to:

 

Jenn Baykan, content creation for somatic based healers: https://www.jbaykan.com/

 

Dave Hiltebrand for intro and outro music original composition: https://www.davehiltebrand.com/

 

Gina McLaughlin Photography for photo and graphic design: https://www.facebook.com/ginamclaughlinphotography/?fref=tag


Hosted by Molly Coeling, Beyond MeToo: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Trauma moves the essential conversation from public reckoning to personal restoration. This space is dedicated to the often quiet, ongoing work that follows speaking out-the complex journey toward wholeness. Each episode explores practical pathways for healing, considering both the inner landscape of recovery and the outer systems that impact it. You’ll hear candid discussions that frame healing as an active, multifaceted process, integrating perspectives from somatic practices, mental wellness, and community care. The podcast serves as a companion for those navigating their own path, offering not just solace but tangible frameworks for resilience. It’s a collection of shared stories that highlight strength in vulnerability, emphasizing that recovery is not a linear destination but a series of deliberate, courageous steps. By focusing on the ‘what comes next,’ this series builds a bridge from trauma to a renewed sense of self, acknowledging the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the experience. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded dialogue that honors the hard work of healing while exploring actionable alternatives for moving forward, individually and together.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 34

Beyond MeToo: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Trauma
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