Deborah Pettitt, Author at Family Christian Counseling

Regulation – ups and downs part 3

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

Some children are both hyperaroused and dissociative depending on the situation. They may be activated by stressful life events and act out behaviorally. When the situation becomes too much they collapse into dissociation. This wide swing makes it extremely difficult for parents to follow. It seems as though they are on a wild ride over

Posted in Parenting, Research hyperarousal

6 Core strengths for healthy brain development

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

This week we will take the first 2 core strengths for healthy brain development which are attachment and self-regulation. Attachment is the capacity to form and maintain healthy emotional bonds with another person. It begins in infancy, as a child interacts with a loving, responsive and attentive caregiver. It is important because this strength is

Posted in Parenting, Research brain development, core strengths

Regulation – Dissociation Part 2

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

While some kids live hyper-aroused and are incorrectly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder other children respond to early trauma by dissociating. This is particularly true if they experienced trauma as infants or toddlers. The three choices any human has to stress is flight, fight or freeze. Infants are incapable of running or fighting so

Posted in Attachment, Trauma, Uncategorized dissociation, regulation

Regulation rather than consequences

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

Parenting traumatized children requires regulation rather than consequences. Regulation is what these children missed as babies and toddlers. Healthy children had moments where loving parents picked them up and calmed them. The parent held them when they were angry or distressed. They calmly helped them handle a frustration. Neglected and abused children missed these experiences

Posted in Parenting, Trauma regulation

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Deborah Pettitt

This week I thought I would introduce you to a method of therapy that a few of our therapists are trained in, it is called Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy This method is a body-centered approach that aims to treat the symptoms of unresolved trauma in the body. While traditional talk therapies utilize the words of a

Posted in Research attachment, psychotherapy, research, sensorimotor, trauma