Holistic Healing Transforming Trauma

re:Group – Group Counseling

Support Group services are currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Please check back for updates or contact the CARE office with any questions.

CARE offers weekly support groups for survivors of unwanted sexual experiences. Group counseling offers opportunities to connect with others who have had similar experiences, gain support, develop trust, increase self-awareness and learn new ways to cope with challenges.  There is no session-limit for group counseling.

CHOICES AND VOICES

Topics are based on the needs of the group, but may include:

• • • discussing the impact of experiences on academics, friendships, family relationships and dating
    • external pressures to make decisions
    • feelings of shame, sadness, anger, helplessness, loss or anxiety
    • reaching other support resources and sharing ideas
    • sharing daily challenges without judgment
    • exploring ways to cope with difficult or confusing feelings and behaviors
    • exploring trust and boundaries in new relationships with others

  Joining a Group

  If you are interested in group counseling, your Advocate will either make an appointment for you to meet the group facilitator or you can make an appointment with the facilitator through the front desk.  During your appointment, the group facilitator will share more about what to expect in group counseling, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.  If you decide you are interested in joining the group, you will be asked more about your interest in the group, experiences that you may have had in the past, counseling experiences, ways you usually cope with challenges, and what you are interested in offering to/receiving from the group.

  If it is determined mutually that the group would be a good match for your needs and interests at the present time, the counselor will either inform you of your start date or will place you on the wait list for the next available opening.

  Contact CARE for more information.

   

  Confidentiality

  All information you share with us, whether it is information in our records about you or even the fact that you have come to see us, cannot be shared with others outside CARE. In some circumstances your Advocate may consult with a supervisor in order to provide you with the best help available; however, no one outside CARE may have access to information without your prior written permission or as required by law:

  The law in the State of California mandates that information may be appropriately shared if you are in imminent harm to yourself or to others, when there is an indication of child or elder abuse, or if you are gravely disabled.

  If you are referred for counseling as a condition of an agreement, for example with the Dean of Students or with your academic department, and want information communicated to them, you will have to sign a release form to have any information provided to the person who referred you.

re:Create – Art as Healing

Creativity healed me. I don’t know that I could think of any word that I get more inspired by than the word healing.– Sark

Healing Art is being born as we speak. The concept is catching fire, is awakening in people’s spirits… Artists, musicians and dancers are realizing their imagery has meaning… that their imagery heals them, others, their neighborhood, or the earth.– Michael Samuels

re:Create is a path to healing using art to engage in self-expression and self-discovery.

Creating art is a way for us to give a voice to feelings, thoughts, and/or experiences we may feel unable to express using words. Through art, we engage in self-expression and self-discovery.

The Clothesline Project is a participatory exhibit and a visual display designed to break the silence surrounding violence against women and to illustrate the impact of violence.

The exhibit is comprised of t-shirts designed by survivors of violence and by their families and friends who have been impacted by the violence perpetrated against their loved ones. Participants walk through the rows of T-shirts on clotheslines to bear witness to these tragedies. The project focuses on providing healing for survivors of violence, educating the public about violence, and preventing violence.

Statistics become individuals. Abstract ideas become real.

Clothesline Project

• Make a T-shirt!

  The making of a t-shirt can be a very liberating event. It breaks down the silence and isolation many feel and helps in the transformation from victim to survivor. Each year, opportunities for T-shirt making are available in the campus housing communities. Individuals and groups may also contact CARE throughout the year to arrange for a private T-shirt making session.

• Attend the Clothesline Project

  Show your support for the project and for survivors of violence by educating yourself and bearing witness to the experiences depicted on the shirts.

• Bring a friend or a group to the Clothesline Project

  Educate others and offer the opportunity to others to be involved in discussions about sexual violence. Ask a professor to offer extra credit for participation or provide incentive for your group’s attendance.

If you are interested in making a shirt or providing an opportunity for your group to make shirts to be displayed at the Project, please contact CARE.

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RESOURCES

How Art Heals Us

re:Mix – Music as Healing

Harmony sinks deep into the recesses of the soul and takes its strongest hold there, bringing grace also to the body and mind as well. Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order.(Plato)

Music matters. And it is a source of healing – through sound, vibration, and sensations – and as a familiar “friend,” bringing us comfort in difficult times. It is used during life’s high points and low points to celebrate, mourn, remember, or even beckon us to engage in some kind of action or social movement. It creates connections and community, lowers anxiety and blood pressure, lifts our mood, and can motivate us to either move faster (dance) or more slowly (meditation).

The use of music as a therapeutic and healing modality is evidence-based and uses music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional. It is the structured use of music to assist people of all ages in times of need. A well-established healing modality, it involves the use of carefully selected music and music interventions to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. While music will not cure or solve problems brought on by crisis, it can help individuals in crisis learn and use positive coping skills and express difficult feelings and emotions. Because it is a powerful and non-invasive medium, unique outcomes are possible. Additionally, the use of music provides an opportunity for students of culturally diverse backgrounds and experientially diverse communities to participate in a healing program by creating a space where barriers such as language, mobility, visual/hearing impairments, and/or cultural norms surrounding talking about traumatic events are reduced or hopefully eliminated.

Upcoming Programs

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Healing Playlists

Zen Meditation

Sleep Playlist

Yoga Playlist

Study Playlist

Yann Tiersen (Relaxation) Playlist

Beatles Playlist

re:Assert – Personal Safety/ Self-Defense

From a holistic healing perspective, re:Assert’s goal is to empower students – helping them to find and use their own inner strength and awareness to maintain (or regain) control of their lives.

Personal safety and self-defense workshops

re:Assert personal safety and self-defense workshops combine awareness, assertiveness, and verbal confrontation skills with safety strategies and physical techniques that increase someone’s likelihood to successfully escape, resist and survive violent attacks. UCI CARE partners with Get Safe USA for its personal safety workshop offerings throughout the year. Get Safe USA specializes in the development and instruction of workshops in personal safety, sexual assault prevention, survivor recovery, self-defense, and violence-prevention.

Breaking Barriers

Among other programs on self-defense, Get Safe USA offers Breaking Barriers, a program which combines physical movements with psychological group recovery. Participants in Breaking Barriers must have an active relationship with a counselor or be involved in group therapy. Instructors for Breaking Barriers are certified sexual assault counselors and domestic violence advocates. The goal of this multidimensional program is to empower all participants, provide them with practical tools that will keep them safe, and create positive group interaction that will promote healthier social outlets.

To learn more about Get Safe USA visit their website: http://getsafeusa.com/

Please follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook for more details about self-defense/personal safety workshops.

re:Cultivate – Horticulture as Healing

Reconnection to the natural world – whether through gardens, animals, nature walks, or nature brought indoors – not only alleviates [distress], but also brings a larger capacity for health, self-esteem, self-relatedness, social connection, and joy. (Chalquist, 2009)

Encounters with the natural world brings a sense of balance and relief from everyday stressors and also rekindles a sense of belonging and connection with the world at large. (Zeller, 2006)

Horticulture as Healing

re:Cultivate uses horticulture activities –  like cultivating gardens, plants, and spending time in nature – as a path toward healing that connects people to the healing powers of nature.  Horticulture activities teach us about nurturance, attentiveness, consistency, patience, mindfulness, and problem solving in a way that we can then apply to our own path toward healing. Tending to nature also serves as a metaphor for the care and attention we all need as we tend to our own growth and restoration.

Upcoming Programs

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Why Horticulture?

Horticulture activities have been shown to help improve individual’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Working in a garden, with plants, or in another natural setting is believed to give people impacted by trauma, psychological and emotional distance from negative emotions, distractions and reminders, and restoring their ability to heal and attend to the present moment in a more joyful way.

Horticulture has been shown to help (Chalquist, 2009; Renzetii & Follingstand, 2015; Sempik, Aldridge, & Becker, 2003):

• Reduce stress
• Reduce burnout
• Reduce depression
• Reducing feelings of isolation
• Ease trauma
• Fostering emotional restoration
• Enhancing self-esteem
• Increase self-confidence
• Increase effective emotional expression
• Increase problem solving
• Increase relaxation
• Increase creativity
• Increase life enjoyment

Learn more about the healing powers of horticulture:

PsycCentral – Gardening’s Unique Potential for Healing Trauma http://blogs.psychcentral.com/healing-together/2013/06/gardenings-unique-potential-for-healing-trauma/

 

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re:Acquaint – Partner Retreats as Healing

Retreats are not being held at this time due to COVID-19.

Please check back later or follow us on  Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook  for details.

re:Engage – Animals as Healing

….(-)

Coming soon!

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re:View – Healing Library

What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. (Anne Lamott)

We read to know that we are not alone. (C.S. Lewis)

Healing Library

UCI CARE understands that books and other resources can support the healing process. In support of holistic healing initiatives, the CARE Office houses a healing library of books, films, resource guides, fact sheets and other tools that are available for check out by members of the UCI community.

For information on available titles and/or check out items out of the library, please email care@uci.edu or call (949) 824-7273.

Please follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook for details.

Our healing library includes the following titles:

Ambrose, P. J., Harper, J., & Pemberton, R. (1983). Surviving divorce: Men beyond marriage. Brighton, Sussex: Wheatsheaf Books.

Bass, E., & Davis, L. (1988). The courage to heal: A guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse. New York: Perennial Library.

Becker, G. D. (1997). The gift of fear: Survival signals that protect us from violence. Boston: Little, Brown.

Bennett, B. (2002). Emotional yoga: How the body can heal the mind. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Bourne, E. J. (2010). The anxiety & phobia workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2012). The healing power of the breath: Simple techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration, and balance your emotions. Boston, MA: Trumpeter.

Cahill, A. J. (2001). Rethinking rape. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Chapman, G. D. (1995). The five love languages: How to express heartfelt commitment to your mate. Chicago: Northfield Pub.

Dugan, M. K., & Hock, R. R. (2000). It’s my life now: Starting over after an abusive relationship or domestic violence. New York: Routledge.

Emerson, D., & Hopper, E. K. (2011). Overcoming trauma through yoga: Reclaiming your body. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Evans, P. (1996). The verbally abusive relationship: How to recognize it and how to respond. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation.

Follette, V. M., Briere, J., Rozelle, D., Hopper, J. W., & Rome, D. I. (n.d.). Mindfulness-oriented interventions for trauma: Integrating contemplative practices.

Forbes, B. (2011). Yoga for emotional balance: Simple practices to help relieve anxiety and depression. Boston: Shambhala.

Foubert, J. (2011). The men’s and women’s programs: Ending rape through peer education. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

Grant, R. (2012). Beyond surviving: The final stage in recovery from sexual abuse. Bloomington, IN: IUniverse.

Gross, L. (2000). Surviving a stalker: Everything you need to know to keep yourself safe. New York: Marlowe &.

Haines, S., Newman, F., & Haines, S. (2007). Healing sex: A mind-body approach to healing sexual trauma. San Francisco: Cleis Press.

Hay, L. L. (1999). Power thought cards a 64 card deck. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.

Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery. New York, NY: BasicBooks.

Hong, L. (1999). Redefining babes, booze and brawls: Men against violence–towards a new masculinity. Boca Raton, FL: Dissertation.com.

Kaplan, A. (n.d.). Still room for hope: A survivor’s story of sexual assault, forgiveness, and freedom.

Katz, J. (2006). The macho paradox: Why some men hurt women and how all men can help. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.

Kearl, H. (2010). Stop street harassment: Making public places safe and welcoming for women. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Kivel, P. (1992). Men’s work: How to stop the violence that tears our lives apart. New York: Ballantine Books.

Kubany, E. S., McCaig, M. A., & Laconsay, J. R. (2003). Healing the trauma of domestic violence: A workbook for women. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.

Levine, P. A., & Frederick, A. (1997). Walking the tiger: Healing trauma: The innate capacity to transform overwhelming experiences. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Lue, N. (2013). The no contact rule. Place of publication not identified: Naughty Girl Media.

Mathieu, F. (2012). The compassion fatigue workbook: Creative tools for transforming compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. New York, NY: Routledge.

Matsakis, A. (n.d.). The rape recovery handbook: Step-by-step help for survivors of sexual assault.

Mellody, P., Miller, A. W., & Miller, K. (1992). Facing love addiction: Giving yourself the power to change the way you love: The love connection to codependence. New York, NY: HarperSan Francisco.

Myss, C. M. (1996). Anatomy of the spirit: The seven stages of power and healing. New York: Harmony Books.

Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. New York: W.W. Norton.

Proctor, M. (2003). How to stop a stalker. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

Raine, N. V. (1998). After silence: Rape and my journey back. New York: Crown Publishers.

Rothschild, B. (2000). The body remembers: The psychophysiology of trauma and trauma treatment. New York: Norton.

Rothschild, B. (2010). 8 keys to safe trauma recovery: Take-charge strategies to empower your healing. New York: W.W. Norton.

Ruiz, M. (1997). The four agreements: A practical guide to personal freedom. San Rafael, CA: Amber-Allen Pub.

Salzberg, S. (2011). Real happiness: The power of meditation: A 28-day program. New York: Workman Pub.

Tarrant, S., & Katz, J. (2008). Men speak out: Views on gender, sex and power. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Warshaw, R., & Koss, M. P. (1988). I never called it rape: The Ms. report on recognizing, fighting, and surviving date and acquaintance rape. New York: Harper & Row.

Williams, J. M., Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (n.d.). The mindful way through depression: Freeing yourself from chronic unhappiness.

Williams, M. B., & Poijula, S. (2002). The PTSD workbook: Simple, effective techniques for overcoming traumatic stress symptoms. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Words that matter: A little book of life lessons. (2010). New York: HarperStudio.

re:Source – Downloads

re:Source provides downloadable resources, such as self-care plans, meditations, and worksheets or readings, via the UCI CARE website and social media pages.

Available Downloadables

Common Reactions to Trauma – Just as trauma affects people differently, each person’s path to healing is their own. It may take some time to figure out what strategy will work best, so do your best to be patient and kind with yourself. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Avocado Mood Tracker

Do you love tracking your mood in a way that is fun and creative? Try this nifty mood tracker which also includes a key. This key is a horizontal bar representing a range of moods/emotions that you determine or want to track. For example, the sad face might represent anxiety while the smiley face might represent contentment. Feel free to put multiple colors between the happy and sad face to represent different emotions. Or you can cover up the key completely with a piece of paper and create your own key.

Holistic Healing Anteater Coloring Pages

Love Like This Coloring Book A coloring book to help you practice mindufulness and self-care while also promoting healthy relationships.

Breathing Boards Use this re:Source as a tool to help you practice mindful breathing. Breathing deeply and slowly calms the nervous system, lower blood pressure, and help us refocus. Be sure to breathe slowly and deeply….fast shallow breaths can increase feelings of anxiety and panic.

Coping Skills Worksheet

Self-Care Wheel (English) (Spanish)

Transformational Change Worksheet

10 Ways to Support A Survivor

Micromovement Worksheet

Journal Prompts

Holistic Healing Anteaters Coloring Book

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