Healing From Unresolved Trauma
video series

Why Self-Compassion is the First Step

When you have unresolved trauma, having compassion for yourself can be incredibly difficult. In fact, one of the symptoms of an activated nervous system is not being able to do this. But when we make the effort to be curious and compassionate about our emotions and body sensations when we feel triggered, that’s the very thing that can re-engage our ability to calm down. In this video, registered psychotherapist Tara Lalonde explains how the acronym S.T.O.P. can help you practise self-compassion.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video 4, follow these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this verse: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

// Step 2

Download and read through the PDF “How to S.T.O.P. and Practise Self-Compassion” to be reminded of the four steps Tara outlines in the video above.

// Step 3

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. 1. Is your self-talk more judgmental than how you would speak to a friend? If you were a loved one going through these emotions, how would you speak to them?
   2. “Noticing without judging soothes the amygdala. It is how our human brains are wired to work.” Have you heard this before? Can you practise noticing, without judging, to see if it calms you?
   3. What does God want to teach you in the aftermath of a moment when you’ve been triggered? How can you seek his voice in your life?

// Step 4

Read the article “How to care for our unique emotions” by Tara Lalonde to learn how to practise curiosity when it comes to how we’re feeling and why.

// Step 5

Listen to the Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding True Healing from Trauma” with Dr. Elizabeth Stevens as she offers hope to those who are bound by the pain of trauma and describes how spiritual healing was the turning point in her recovery.