What Works

Create a safe place to

comfort and soothe you.

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One of the most useful techniques some of my therapists and I came up with to help me ready myself for trauma processing is the idea of creating more than one "safe place" through visualization.  Since I am a very visual person who enjoys describing things anyway, I enjoyed these exercises.  All of my safe place environments are very detailed with many comforts.  I feel I can "go there" at any time I need to relax, reduce stress or simply comfort myself.

Here, I will describe one safe place I came up with.  It is an imaginary sun porch off of my existing home.  It is spacious, sunny, calming and beautiful.  Many floor-to-ceiling windows provide lots of light, fresh air and the sights and sounds of the beautiful garden, wind chimes and bird feeders just outside.  The curtains at the windows are white and gauzy.  They flow and flutter in the light breeze.  Inside, there are dozens of plants and blooming flowers.  Also provided are many chairs, loungers, a porch swing and love seats overflowing with brightly-clad pillows.  I also have a large wall fountain there that provides the soothing sounds of gently tumbling water.

I open two French doors as I enter my safe, beautiful space.  My dog Trusty sits on the floor on a white, faux fur rug.  He and the rug feel soft and cuddly against my bare feet.  I make my way to my favorite sitting spot:  the porch swing.  There I find my beloved cat Whiskers who is waiting to curl up in my lap.  I grab a white, exquisitely soft throw blanket off the back of the swing and I curl up with my cat and gently glide.  Aaaaahhh.  Yes, I am safe, comforted and relaxed in my safe place.

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