SERVICES FOR PARENTS: LISTENING OR DEBRIEFING SERVICE

Very often after a difficult or traumatic event people have a desire to revisit and talk about what happened. Sometimes this desire is frequent and can feel like the event is stuck on loop in ones mind.

It is important if you wish to tell your story, whether compulsively or to begin the process of understanding what happened, that the person who is listening is trained in how to listen without re-traumatising, re-triggering or gas-lighting you.

Unfortunately many healthcare providers aren’t trained but this is slowly changing. The practitioners listed on this directory are trained in how to listen to difficult or traumatic birth stories. They know how to make a listening service an opportunity to be heard, to have your feelings acknowledged and validated, to begin to understand how it may still be impacting on your day to day life and relationships and if appropriate to begin the process of feeling differently. If you request a debrief at your hospital then ask if the person facilitating that service has received trauma informed training.

TBR 3 STEP REWIND

This service is usually offered over 3 sessions and session by session, step by step the process aims to lift trauma symptoms. With this break in symptoms there is an opportunity to begin thinking, feeling and responding differently in ways of your choosing that are more serving.

Here is typically what you can expect session by session:

Step 1, session 1 – usually 90 minutes – to have your story heard (should you want to tell it, you don’t have to if you don’t want to), to understand how it is still impacting on your day to day life now and how you would like to feel if these feelings/ways of responding were lifted. Practice of relaxation and imagine your future free of those feelings whilst deeply relaxed.

Step 2, session 2 – usually 60 minutes – to use Rewind to re-process the memory of your birth so it no longer holds any emotional charge or anxiety. To experience your future solution state whilst deeply relaxed.

Step 3 session 3 – usually 60 minutes – to check back in that those changes have taken place. To focus on building confidence and resilience so that you no longer feel like you are owned by what happened and are able to begin enjoying your life again.

UNDERSTANDING & MANAGING PERINATAL ANXIETY

This is usually delivered over a series of 3 sessions (sometimes more) and looks to address the following:

Understanding perinatal anxiety
Looking at any behavioural, environmental and cognitive contributors to anxiety
Challenging beliefs that are holding anxiety in place
Looking at the anxiety toolkit: journaling, relaxation, meditation
Establishing a practice that supports balance, calm and peace of mind

If you have been experiencing anxiety that you do not think is related to a particular trauma or event, or if you have been experiencing panic attacks or debilitating anxiety and want to learn the skills that can help you to manage anxiety and begin to thrive then working with a practitioner could help.

'It was an amazing experience, shockingly fast and hectic in the moment, but very peaceful and calm directly afterwards. The polar opposite to my last birth! I wanted to let you know that news, but more importantly wanted to say how much I have used, enjoyed and benefited from your relaxation script. I listened to it every day - sometimes twice a day - when I went to bed for a nap or for the night. And also a few times when I had insomnia in the night. I found it really relaxing (sometimes not making it to the end if I'm honest) and put some good peaceful sleeps down to listening to it before I drifted off. It helped me to feel more confident about making my own decisions and about communicating with those who were advising me to take a different action. Although that still doesn't come naturally!! So I just wanted to drop you an email to say thank you very much for the part you played in supporting me to achieve the peaceful, undisturbed birth that I was hoping for but didn't necessarily dare dream would be possible. Thank you!'

Debbie (after one listening session)

SUPPORT & FREEDOM FROM POST NATAL DEPRESSION

Support is offered by trained practitioners to listen to and understand the underlying thoughts, feelings, events and situations that can be driving symptoms of depression. A practice of mindfulness and self compassion is shared to illuminate the harsh, critical thought patterns that can make coping with parenthood feel difficult and upsetting.

Working with a practitioner can help to focus attention on resources, skills and abilities that can begin to turn the tables on depression. Part of the process may include addressing traumatic perinatal events using an exercise like TBR 3 Step Rewind.

A SAFE SPACE TO GRIEVE AND PROCESS LOSS

Trained TBR practitioners understand that losing a pregnancy and baby is a traumatic event. It is natural to feel a huge amount of grief and sadly sometimes this can be compounded by the lack of support and understanding offered by friends, family, care providers and society at large. You may not know what kind of support you need right now, however this might change as time goes on. It can help to know that support is available. TBR practitioners can help in the following ways:

A listening ear that is trauma informed
A safe space to understand and process your feelings around the loss that you have experienced
A practice of relaxation and grounding techniques to help manage anxiety and panic that unfortunately is sometimes a part of this kind of traumatic loss
Support in future pregnancies when anxiety, fear and panic are naturally high but unfortunately re-triggered
Using the exercise TBR 3 Step Rewind to help manage anxiety, fear and panic

The UK charity SANDS also provides a helpline and peer support groups. You can find out more here.

SUPPORTING RECOVERY FROM PHYSICAL BIRTH INJURY

Finding out about a life changing injury after birth can be traumatic even if the birth itself was not traumatic. It is natural when this discovery is made about the most intimate and private part of the body to feel upset, angry and very negative. Long term these feelings can have a damaging impact on the relationship we have with ourselves and others. Unfortunately these feelings can be compounded by difficulty in getting a diagnosis, accessing effective and appropriate treatment and making sense of the sometimes conflicting advice available. A trained practitioner can help in the following ways:

A listening ear that is trauma informed
A safe space to understand and process your feelings around the loss that you have experienced
Support you as you acknowledge and understand the ways in which the injury negatively impacting on your life, sense of self and relationships
Support you to discover ways of thinking, feeling and responding that promote the best chances for physical healing and emotional wellbeing
This might include using hypnosis, visualisation and TBR 3 Step Rewind

‘Thank you so so so much for teaching your amazing technique to other professionals. I can not tell you with words how our three sessions have changed my life!'

Ariadna

TBR PRACTITIONERS

All practitioners have signed a Code of Conduct & Ethics agreement which you can read here. It’s a good idea to make contact with a practitioner either via phone call or email and get a sense of whether they are a good match for you. Ask yourself can you trust this person? Do you feel confident in their ability to support you as you learn, heal and grow?

Some TBR practitioners hold additional therapeutic qualifications, such as counsellor or hypnotherapist, however the majority do not. Most practitioners are birth professionals or pre and post natal specialists who have undertaken TBR specialist training. Their experience lies in understanding the challenges of the perinatal life stage, the devastating impact of perinatal trauma and process of pregnancy and birth from variety of perspectives. As such they are uniquely placed to serve parents who are experiencing distress due to trauma or anxiety.

Many have additional, valuable skills and services which might be beneficial for you to access such a independent midwifery, doulaing, massage, hypnobirthing and so on. As well participating in training all practitioners have passed the assessments required to attain Practitioner status and regularly attend supervision.

A good listening service has the potential to ignite healing and bring relief. When choosing a practitioner from this web directory be sure to speak to them either personally on the phone or by email to ensure that you feel comfortable talking to them and can trust them.

Experiencing Trauma Symptoms?

Find out if TBR 3 Step Rewind could be right for you, by simply clicking below to book your appointment.

This is a free, no obligation, 30 minute consultation with a trained Practitioner.