Photo by Susan Walters. Ivy River at Bend of Ivy Lodge river glade on September 25, 2024.
A Collective Trauma: Healing After Hurricane Helene
On Friday, September 27, Western North Carolina experienced a collective trauma: Hurricane Helene. For those who lived through it, the event was life-altering.
We now understand that collective traumas, like natural disasters, leave lingering impacts that can remain embedded in the body, nervous system, and emotions for years—often unconsciously stored as "issues in the tissues."
If you were here and experienced the surreal devastation of Helene, you know exactly what I mean.
The days following the storm were marked by unforeseeable destruction. People, homes, land, rivers, animals, and nature endured a cascade of hurricanes, landslides, and floods—a vortex of chaos. Our communities experienced what can be described as a Collective Boundary Rupture.
How Do We Heal and Build Resilience?
Science and medicine show us that sustainable healing—addressing the whole self: body, heart, mind, and spirit—can be achieved through somatic (body-mind) healing. One profoundly effective modality is Somatic Experiencing (SE), pioneered by Dr. Peter Levine.
SE is a powerful tool for healing trauma from natural disasters as well as other life experiences, including childhood, family, relationships, accidents, and loss. Personally, it has been transformative in my own healing journey, both past and present.
In June 2023, I began training as an SE™ practitioner to integrate this work into my coaching practice. During the first weekend of November, my gifted SE teacher visited Asheville to provide trauma support and tools to our cohort, helping us navigate the aftermath of Helene.
What Is Somatic Experiencing (SE™)?
SE is a gentle yet powerful approach to resolving the symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma stored in our bodies and nervous systems. When we become stuck in fight, flight, or freeze patterns, SE helps us release these responses, fostering recovery and resilience.
My Experience with SE After Helene
On the first day of Hurricane Helene, I knew my body and nervous system were in shock—"stuck on." I felt trapped in a survival mode of navigating, protecting, and responding. Symptoms like brain fog, exhaustion, and a sense of being ungrounded accompanied an almost manic drive to help others.
To calm my body and nervous system, I turned to SE tools and practices I had learned. Daily, I carved out quiet moments—often in nature—to perform specific techniques up to 15 times a day during the first two weeks. These practices helped me regulate and find grounding amidst the chaos.
I also sought support from my SE practitioners, mentor, and teachers, scheduling sessions to deepen my healing. These resourcing and orienting practices have been essential in building resilience—not just during this period but for the challenges to come.
Moving Forward
Trauma, whether personal or collective, is an inescapable part of the human experience. In a world marked by uncertainty and change, tools like SE offer a path to healing, growth, and resilience.
With Love,
Susan
PS… If you’re curious to know more, or feel you want support to help you navigate past or current traumas, life experiences or transitions then I’d love to connect to see if I can help to support you. Email me, Susan@intentionalgrowth.org or schedule a Discovery Session (Free).