Resources
Support is by far the most important way to begin your healing. Human beings need each other—we’re not designed to live in isolation. In fact, belonging to a community will increase your lifespan so get connected and get support!
Recordings
The Paper Tiger Syndrome supports a variety of learning preferences, including select demos of the exercises and rituals in video format, immersive guided meditations in audio format, and a complete audio version of the printed book. You will also find the Companion Workbook helpful for all these learning preferences, found on the Shop section.
Worksheets
Start your local Original Blueprint® group using the worksheets found here. Get comfortable, kick up your feet together, laugh and get to know each other by using any of these worksheets from the book! Choose one ritual or exercise to work on together and have an accountability partner (within or outside the group) to help you in between your group get-togethers. Groups are recommended to stay small (around 4-6 people).
Directories of skilled trauma practitioners
If you think you need more intense support, I encourage you to lean on a trained practitioner who can work alongside you. When we isolate, the stressors of cumulative adversity can have far-reaching effects that we’re only just beginning to fully understand.
Somatic Experiencing® International (SEI)
www.traumahealing.org
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org
Hakomi Method
www.hakomiinstitute.com
Internal Family Systems
www.ifs-institute.com
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
www.emdr.com
You might also check your local healthcare facilities for trauma support groups or the many local twelve-step programs in your area.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Survey
If you’re not sure which path is right for you, you can also take the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey, included below. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey is a culmination of work that began in 1985 at Kaiser Permanente and Dr. Vincent Felitti and later on, the curation of these questions developed by Dr. Robert Anda and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information about ACEs can be found on the CDC website (cdc.gov).
Warning: These survey questions can cause distress. Discontinue taking the survey if you find yourself disturbed by it.
To take the survey, read the following questions. For each question where you answer “yes,” give yourself one point. If you score three or higher, you may be at risk of experiencing long-term consequences from early abuse and/or neglect. Scores of three or higher have been linked to chronic disease in adulthood, social and emotional difficulties, depression, interpersonal violence and even suicide.
But getting a high ACE score is, by no means, a sentence to a life of misery. There’s always plenty of hope. With the right support, people with very high ACE scores can lead healthy, happy lives and even be a source of inspiration. I believe that the ability to thrive despite past traumas is an indication of your incredible resilience.