Since 2016 SOS Africa has worked closely with certified TRE provider Marion Coetzee as part of the charity’s holistic approach to education for disadvantaged children in South Africa. TRE is a holistic body-based practice which has provided vital support to SOS Africa children suffering from stress, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma or PTSD.
What is TRE (Trauma and Tension Release Exercises)?
TRE is a simple set of exercises that activates a natural tremoring reflex deep in the brain to release tension, stress and trauma from the body by calming down the nervous system. This helps the body release deeply held tension and trauma and return to a state of balance. Tremoring brings our bodies from ‘fight or flight’ into the state of ‘rest and digest’ where healing can take place. TRE can help anyone who might be at a point in life where stress, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, panic attacks and pain are compromising their health and wellbeing. TRE can be practised in a group or on a one-on-one basis.
How can TRE help children and teenagers?
TRE is a natural way to release childhood trauma without having to talk about it or to even remember what exactly happened. Since traumatic childhood events can lead to mental health problems, behavioural problems and difficulties concentrating and focusing it is very important for the child’s wellbeing and development to help their nervous system return to an emotionally healthy place.
In a healthy developmental environment, the child’s brain gets to feel a sense of pleasure, engagement, exploration and safety. A traumatised child is repeatedly afraid of what they are feeling because the feeling is often terror, fear or helplessness.
TRE Trauma Release Exercises will help to overcome traumas and gets the child’s sense of pleasure, engagement and exploration back in a natural way. This is very important for the child’s development and progress at school and their further path in life.
Symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system
- Hyper-vigilant, high alert
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger and irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Emotional outbursts
- Bedwetting in children
Calming the nervous system can reduce or even eliminate most of these trauma symptoms.
What are the benefits of TRE?
- Calm and more relaxed
- Happy
- Less anxious
- Less stressed
- Less angry
- Better focus and concentration
- More motivated
- Reduction in addictive behaviours
- Reduced or eliminated bedwetting in children
Disadvantaged children particularly display many trauma symptoms. TRE does not just relieve these symptoms, it also teaches the child / teen how to deal with stressful situations without the help of a therapist. On average 6 sessions under my supervision will achieve substantial improvement of the above-mentioned symptoms. Teens will be able to do TRE on their own for the rest of their lives after being taught this modality by a certified practitioner. Smaller children, from 8 years on, will have the same benefits but might need a refresher session every 4-6 weeks for some weeks to learn how to incorporate TRE in their daily lives.
How have the SOS Africa Children Benefitted from TRE?
8-9 year old children reported that they are generally happier and get along better with friends and family. They find that they do not freeze anymore and can get themselves actively out of an unpleasant situation. Some are not wetting their beds anymore while others can speak about their trauma (for example, the death of a parent or sibling) and do not freeze when asked about it. They do not struggle as much with behavioural issues, including ADHD symptoms plus can concentrate and focus better at school.
Teenagers reported that they too feel happier and are no longer experiencing panic attacks. They feel relaxed and grounded while handling conflicts in a more controlled manner. They are getting along better with people around them. They also focus and concentrate better at school as well as have a more positive outlook in life.
Children generally enjoy doing TRE, they enjoy the bodily exercises as well as feeling the tremor go through their bodies, and many children fall asleep during integration time where they just lie quietly and relaxed while their bodies absorb the new state of wellbeing.
Children and teenagers are treated differently. Children tremor a short time and have a much longer integration time, while teenagers tremor longer and only need a much shorter integration time.
Even if I teach in a group, I treat every child individually according to their needs. This means adjustments are made during exercises in keeping with their physical ability, plus tremor and integration times, according to their emotional state. Most children thrive in a group, but some children are too traumatised and will then need a one-on-one treatment where I can 100% concentrate on their individual needs.
I truly believe that TRE can have a life-changing impact upon the mental wellbeing of children from disadvantaged communities; by incorporating exercise routines into their everyday lives they can deal with the symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system without needing constant therapeutic interventions. I welcome the opportunity to equip more SOS Africa children with these invaluable tools to help them live happy and content lives.
Marion Coetzee
Certified TRE Provider
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