Understanding the Neurobiology of Trauma

Many of us hear the word “trauma” used. But what is trauma? How does it impact us? In this episode, we are joined by two brilliant mental health workers: Lisa and Nova Browning Rutherford, to understand trauma and how it affects us after sexual assault. With Lisa, we learn about how trauma shows up in our brains, bodies and nervous systems; with Nova, we talk about the impacts of trauma on our daily life. It’s a heady but gentle exploration of the impact of harm and how we can attend to it.

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CONTENT NOTE:

There are no descriptions of sexual violence in this podcast series. In this episode, there is a discussion about the impacts of trauma on our brain. This can bring up big feelings and be hard to hear. Listen in a way that feels safer for you. You get to choose.

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NEED SUPPORT?

You are not alone if you have been affected by sexual violence or other forms of gender-based violence. There are resources such as sexual assault support centres in your community that you can reach out to.

If you are a Toronto Metropolitan University community member, please connect with Consent Comes First, the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education: www.torontomu.ca/sexual-violence/

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KEEP CONNECTED TO HEALING COMES IN WAVES

Download our Healing Comes in Waves workbook for this episode. It includes articles, resources and activities to explore attending to the impacts of trauma: www.healingcomesinwaves.ca

Follow us on Instagram: @healingcomesinwavespodcast

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MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Nova Browning Rutherford has lectured on the effective actions leaders in the academic, public, and private sectors can take to integrate and promote well-being and equity at work since 2009. Today, Nova serves as a Leadership Development Facilitator in the tech sector. By speaking authentically to the unpolished leadership process, Nova makes it safe for leaders to tell it like it is and draws decision-makers in to focus on solutions and integrate self-care into the calendar as a requirement of optimal performance. This award-winning speaker has been featured in The Huffington Post, The OWN Network, and national print, online, and TV media outlets.

Lisa is an Indigenous counsellor that specializes in working with survivors of gender-based violence. She has a deep knowledge of attending to the impacts of trauma.

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CREDITS:

Created by Consent Comes First, the Office of Sexual Violence Support Education at Toronto Metropolitan University in Collaboration with the Consent Action Team. Podcast produced by Vocal Fry Studios. Graphic Design by Isabel Jordan.