A Conversation about Trauma Brain. What is it? With Jake Porter | Episode 26

September 16, 2020
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Are you yearning to feel freed and flourishing?

Jake Porter has worked in the field of recovery for a decade, leading groups, seeing individuals and couples, and training clinicians, coaches, and clergy. After 13 years of pastoral leadership, he moved into full-time counseling at his practice, Daring Ventures Counseling, Coaching, and Consultation, LLC. Jake has a B.A. in psychology, an M.Div. and Th.M. in theology, and M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and an Ed.D., for which he studied the intersection of spiritual formation and affective social neurobiology.

He has extensive training in psychobiological and attachment-based models of therapy. Jake also holds the position of Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of Doctoral Counseling Programs at Houston Graduate School of Theology. He is the creator of the Couple–Centered Recovery Model and is visited by clients from across the country and around the world.

In this episode, Jake and I talk about trauma brain. Jake dives deep into how PTSD, trauma, and stressful life experiences can alter our minds. In a perfect world, your brain would function in an integrated and regulated state. Regulated meaning not out of control. Integrated means that all the different parts of the brain are working together in an integrated state. When trauma happens, the brain experiences way too much way too fast or way too little for way too long.

Later, Jake explains the importance of self-compassion when recovering from trauma, and what’s universally known about trauma. We all have a set range of arousal that we can feel and still remain regulated. If we stay in a state of trauma, then we remain in hyperarousal – it will have a wear and tear effect on our nervous system. Stay tuned as Jake reveals other symptoms of trauma and the significance of disclosure in partnerships.

In This Episode:

  • About Jake Porter [ 1:00 ]
  • Optimal functioning of the brain [ 11:10 ]
  • The element of self-compassion is critical for healing [ 19:10 ]
  • Universal aspects of trauma [ 21:35 ]
  • The importance of disclosure with your spouse during trauma [ 32:25 ]
  • How awe + wonder can help us heal [ 41:10 ]
  • The human brain is not designed to transform in isolation [ 46:50 ]
  • God made our bodies to heal [ 50:40 ]

Quotes:

  • “Your brain is not fully online if it’s not in connection with your body.”
  • “Acting out of character is an effect of trauma.”
  • “The greatest predictor of what’s going to happen is what has already happened.”
  • “I can help cultivate a healing environment, but I cannot do the healing.”
  • “Awe and wonder is the definition of spirituality.”
  • “The human brain is not designed to develop, grow, and transform in isolation.”

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