Adults to Adults

Even as adults, we need support and encouragement to address symptoms that have been plaguing us for a long time, memories and experiences from our childhood that still have a grip on us, or the challenges of “adulting.” Heart to Heart Conversations, written by adults to adults, is a way for our patients to receive the anonymous encouragement of another adult who is further along in the treatment process and for adults who are further along in their treatment process to make meaning of their experiences and give back to their community. We are all about community building and reducing stigma here at AMANI Clinical Services.

Hi there!

I understand you've been through a lot & that these experiences have caused you a lot of stress. I've been through a lot too. I know how it feels. I've felt overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, alone, hopeless, lost, & like things could never get better. But you know what? We're not doomed to go through the rest of our lives like this. I've been working with Dr. Nikki for almost 4 months now. She's given me a lot of great tools that really do work. The best thing she's recommended for me though was trauma reprocessing therapy.I wasn't sure what it was, how it would work, if it would work, the effects it would have, or even if I could survive it. But, despite all those worries & questions, I decided that I was going to do whatever it took, no matter how difficult or painful, so I could get better, feel better, & make positive changes in my life so I could be happy. It's been the best decision I've made.

It has been my experience that we fear things we aren't familiar with. I've also learned that I'm not someone who wants to let fear control me or my life, so I've learned I have to face those fears. That often means learning more about whatever it is I'm afraid of.

Trauma reprocessing is basically teaching your brain to think & process things differently than it currently does. We started the process by my making a list of all the traumas I've experienced in my life. Then I wrote about them (like a story), but only including facts. Then we went back to the beginning & added thoughts. We're still working on that, but are close to the next step, which will be feelings. Once we get through the feelings level, we'll start meanings. The idea is somewhat that with the repetition of revisiting these events, you get desensitized more & more to the events themselves.

The process has been exhausting, but very rewarding. I see life differently & am able to use all the strategies Dr. Hastings has taught me. I still have a long way to go, but I have seen proof that I'm on the right track & that this therapy is working. I feel better. I have more energy. I think more clearly. I'm not as emotionally scattered. I don't feel so much pain constantly. My family, friends, & loved ones have noticed a difference in me too. I make better decisions & make them faster. I am more like the "real me". I'm laughing & smiling more & truly enjoying life more. Don't get me wrong, there are still tough days, but they are manageable now, where they weren't before.

I know it's scary. I know it's hard. I know that there will be lots of times you won't want to do it or to continue it. I have no reason to ask you for anything, as we don't even know each other, but as another human in pain, I ask you anyway to just have faith. Have faith in yourself. Have the faith that you can do this. You can feel better. You can trust Dr. Hastings & she can help you. Also have faith that you're not alone & I think that's so very important. Part of trauma (in my experience) is that always feeling alone & misunderstood. It doesn't have to be at way.

Good luck & most importantly, have faith.