Recommended Resource: Interoception and Trauma
As a foster and adoptive mama, I am always looking for new insights and ways to help my children. My name is Heidi Kester and I am the mom of two beautiful daughters through international adoption and foster care. I also serve as the Vice President of the Advisory Council and am the Orphan Care Ministry Director here at The Salvation Army. I have a passion for serving foster and adoptive families and sharing resources. As a former teacher, I very much believe in the concept of "sharing with the class." So, today I have something to share with you all!
I have recently discovered a new concept called "interoception." Interoception, which is also sometimes referred to as our "sixth sense," is described as our sense of our inner body state. It is our body's ability to receive and interpret signals from our organs and systems, such as: heart rate, breathing, hunger and fullness, pain, temperature, muscle tension, and thirst. Kelly Mahler is an Occupational Therapist who has done a lot of research about interoception and trauma. According to Mahler, "Many times, cognitive-based or talk-based therapy is attempted with people who have experienced trauma, only to be a mismatch for what their nervous system currently needs. If a person is struggling to regulate their bodily/emotional needs, their access to the rational, thinking parts of their brain will likely be unavailable. Interoception is a critical aspect of helping each person understand and enhance their own personal self-regulation needs" (Kelly-Mahler.com) People who have experienced trauma often have a muted or intense inner experience, making it difficult to process their body's signals. There is a growing amount of research that supports interoception therapy for those affected by trauma.
Indeed, incorporating an interoception curriculum into an Occupational Therapy program can really be a key to helping to unlock both physical and emotional regulation of our children. Kelly Mahler's website offers a wealth of information for parents and can be a valuable resource for those of us who are helping our children with emotional regulation. The website includes a lot of information and free resources that you can use in your families or share with the professionals who are helping your children.
Want to receive recommended resources and other helpful content delivered to your inbox each month? Sign up for our email newsletter here.