A

ACES

Adaptation: The process of adjusting to new or different conditions. In a trauma-informed context, it can refer to the body's ability to adapt to stress or trauma, often through physical or emotional changes.

Anxiety: A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, often about something with an uncertain outcome. In trauma survivors, anxiety can manifest as hyper-vigilance, intrusive thoughts, or panic attacks.

Attachment Theory: A psychological theory that focuses on the importance of early attachments to caregivers in shaping later relationships and emotional development.

Attention Seeking: A behavior often associated with trauma, where individuals may seek attention to feel safe and validated.

Avoidant: A coping mechanism where individuals avoid situations or people that trigger traumatic memories or emotions.

B

Boundaries: Limits or expectations that individuals set to protect their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Body Image: A person's perception of their own body, including feelings and thoughts about their appearance and how they think others perceive them. In trauma-informed practice, it's important to address body image issues, as trauma can often negatively impact how individuals view their bodies.

Burnout: A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress.

C

C-DevT: Complex Developmental Trauma, a type of trauma that occurs over an extended period, often during childhood, and involves multiple traumatic events.

C-PTSD: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental health condition characterized by a range of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, difficulty regulating emotions, and problems with relationships.

Co-regulation: The process of regulating one's emotions and physiological state through interaction with another person.

Co-morbid: The simultaneous occurrence of two or more disorders or illnesses in the same person.  

Coping: Strategies used to deal with stress or difficult situations. 

Cueing: Providing verbal or physical instructions to guide movement and exercise.

D

Depression: A mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Developmental Trauma: Trauma that occurs during childhood and can have lasting effects on physical and mental health.

Difficult Client: A term often used to describe clients who exhibit challenging behaviors or are difficult to work with. In a trauma-informed approach, such clients are viewed as individuals struggling with the impact of trauma.

Dissociation: A mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity.

Dysregulation: A state of emotional or physiological imbalance, often characterized by difficulty managing emotions or physical sensations.

E

Exercise: Physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive, and aims to improve or maintain physical fitness.

H

Hyper/Hypo Arousal: A state of heightened or lowered arousal, often associated with trauma. Hyperarousal can manifest as anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, while hypoarousal can lead to fatigue, apathy, and withdrawal.

I

Integrative Health: A holistic approach to health and wellness that combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies.

L

Labels: Diagnostic categories used to describe mental health conditions.

M

Meltdown: An intense emotional episode characterized by overwhelming feelings and behaviors.

Mind-Body Connection: The relationship between mental and physical health. Trauma can disrupt this connection, leading to physical symptoms such as chronic pain or digestive issues. Exercise can help re-establish this connection. 

N

NCTSN: National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, an organization dedicated to promoting trauma-informed care.

Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life. Exercise can stimulate neuroplasticity, helping individuals to heal from trauma and build new neural pathways.

P

Pathology: The scientific study of disease.

PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event.

S

Self-care: Practices that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Sensory Integration: The neurological process of organizing sensory input from the body and environment.

Somatic Experiencing: A body-centered therapy approach that helps people resolve trauma and other stress disorders. It involves working with bodily sensations to process and release traumatic memories.

Soothing: Calming and comforting techniques, often used to regulate emotions and reduce stress.

Strength Training: A type of exercise that involves lifting weights to build muscle strength.

Stress: A state of mental or emotional tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Stress - Chronic: Prolonged or excessive stress that can negatively impact physical and mental health.

Survival: The ability to stay alive. In a trauma context, survival can involve extreme measures to protect oneself.

Symptoms: Signs and indicators of a disease or disorder.

T

T DESNOS: Trauma and Domestic Experiences of Sexual and Non-Sexual Abuse.

T Historical: Historical Trauma, collective trauma experienced by a group of people due to historical events.

T Intergenerational: Intergenerational Trauma, the transmission of trauma across generations.

T Race Identity: Racial Trauma, trauma resulting from racism and discrimination.

Trauma: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience.

Trauma-Informed: An approach to care that recognizes the prevalence of trauma and incorporates knowledge about its effects into policies, practices, and programs.

Trigger: A stimulus that can provoke a strong emotional response, often related to a past traumatic event. Exercise can be a helpful tool for managing triggers and reducing their impact.

V

Vagal (Polyvagal) Theory: A neurophysiological theory that explains how the nervous system regulates arousal and responds to stress.

Vicarious Trauma: A type of secondary trauma that can occur when helping professionals work with people who have experienced trauma.

W

Weight Lifting: A form of strength training that involves lifting weights to build muscle mass and strength.

Window of Tolerance: A state of optimal arousal where individuals can effectively regulate their emotions and respond to stress.

Withdrawn: A state of social withdrawal or isolation, often associated with trauma.