Philosophy & Biography

Trauma happens. Emotional Trauma.

Then Symptoms happen... All Kinds of Symptoms. 

The simplest definition of trauma I’ve heard is:

 A threatening experience that is too much, too fast. 

When we are stressed out or overwhelmed and our instinctual survival responses (such as fight, flight & freeze) are thwarted, or blocked, we often don’t get to complete our body’s survival responses – this is when trauma occurs and symptoms emerge. As a result, the body continues to respond as if it is under threat. More than thoughts and behaviors – problems often lie within the nervous system. As one who facilitates healing from emotional, spiritual, and physical pain and suffering, I constantly involve the body and nervous system regulation at the core of the healing process.

Nervous system dysregulation includes anxiety, panic, anger, hyperactivity, shame, shut-down and checked-out. The work that I do includes a very caring and listening ear, Mindfulness, EMDR and SE - Somatic Experiencing©. Somatic Experiencing (http://www.traumahealing.com/) is based on our innate ability to release pent-up survival energy.  SE relieves emotional and bodily stress which has become trapped within the autonomic nervous system following traumatic experiences This release in turn allows for self-regulation and the capacity to experience aliveness, resilience, and goodness.  

My style is warm & collaborative while providing practical skills. My practice integrates evidence-based psychotherapies, especially SE, with the spiritually of my Christian faith. For each session, I seek the inspiration of God’s Word and His Spirit. This wedding of proven treatment models and inspiration creates the container for working through the experiences of trauma and pain to find release– and ultimately, peace and freedom.

Paul M. Hambrick, M. Ed. is a Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselor / Mental Health Service Provider (LPC/MHSP). He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and Masters degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Georgia State University. He also holds a 2 year graduate certificate from Richmont Graduate University (formerly PSI) in the Integration of the Christian Faith and Professional Counseling.