ALIGN
Yoga for Mental Health
Welcome to ALIGN!
ALIGN, Yoga for Mental Health is an original and innovative program at Lost ‘n Found Yoga. The Align Program offers various supports for Trauma and mental health including traditional psychotherapy and Embodiment approaches. The ALIGN programs specializes in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), the first yoga based and empirically validated, clinical intervention for complex trauma or chronic treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Often people who have experienced significant trauma feel a sense of fragmentation and disconnection from their bodies. The ALIGN program recognizes that there are healing roles for top-down therapy approaches, such as psychotherapy, however there is a possibility of neglecting the impact of trauma to the body. With embodied approaches such as TCTSY, a bottom up approach, healing can be offered from a whole person approach, offering an opportunity to reconnect to ones whole self- body, mind and heart.
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR COMPLEX TRAUMA AND PTSD
“With TCTSY, I reclaimed my body. That is a gift because I so hated my body. Or I claimed it, not reclaimed, because I was so young. I claimed it. It was a long process to consider myself not an outline… I think TCTSY helped define me. Just inhabiting my own skin is a major step forward.”
- PARTICIPANT IN TCTSY STUDY, FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga
TCTSY has foundations in trauma theory, attachment theory, neuroscience, and hatha yoga, with an emphasis on body-based yoga forms and breathing practices.
Developed originally at the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts by Dave Emerson and others, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is now a program of Center for Trauma and Embodiment at Justice Resource Institute.
The TCTSY methodology is based on central components of the Hatha style of yoga, where participants engage in a series of physical forms and movements. Elements of standard Hatha yoga are are modified to maximize experiences of empowerment and to cultivate a more positive relationship to one's body. Unlike many public yoga classes, TCTSY does not use physical, hands-on adjustments to influence a participant’s physical form. Rather, TCTSY presents opportunities for participants to be in charge of themselves based on a felt sense of their own body.
The TCTSY program is the first to qualify for inclusion in the National Registry of Evidence- based Programs and Practices (NREPP) database published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In 2021, Trauma Sensitive Yoga was further validated as an effective adjunct treatment for complex trauma and PTSD in a study involving women veterans and military sexual trauma-related PTSD.In a comparison with CPT (cognitive processing therapy), the gold standard in therapy treatments, TCTSY yielded quicker symptom improvement, higher participant retention, and an equally sustained effect. In the adjacent video, the researchers of the study present the findings of a 5-year randomized controlled trial.
Approach
Although TCTSY employs physical forms and movements, the emphasis is not on the external expression or appearance (i.e. doing it"right"), or receiving the approval of an external authority. Rather, the focus is on the internal experience of the participant.
This shift in orientation, from the external to the internal, is a key attribute of TCTSY as a treatment for complex trauma and PTSD. With our approach, the power resides within the individual, not the TCTSY facilitator (TCTSY-F). Further, by focusing on the felt sense of the body to inform choice-making, TCTSY allows participants to restore their connection of mind and body and cultivate a sense of agency that is often compromised as a result of trauma.
Services
TCTSY CLASSES
TCTSY classes are taught by Certified TCTSY facilitators (TCTSY-F) who are in good standing* with the Centre for Trauma and Embodiment. At Lost ‘n Found Yoga, our TCTSY-Fs are also Registered Social Workers and therefore group services could be covered by private insurance as a Registered Social Work Service. Groups are typically offered in 8-week, closed group style sessions. Classes are offered in a hybrid capacity with the choice to be in person or on zoom for class, each week.
Groups typically occur:
Tuesday’s from 5-6pm for Survivors of Trauma and those living with mental health.
Wednesday’s from 1-2pm for Female survivors of Trauma and those living with mental health.
TCTSY INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Certified TCTSY-Fs can offer individual sessions for individuals who may benefit from a one on one setting verses a group class. As the sessions are offered by a Registered Social Worker, it is possible that this service could be covered by private insurance. Sessions are available in a 25 minute or 50 minute session.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Align Program at Lost ‘n Found Yoga also offers individual counselling and psychotherapy provided by individuals holding a Master of Social Work degree who are registered with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and/or Registered Psychotherapists.
Counselors and Psychotherapists are trained in variety of treatment modalities including TCTSY, Trauma Treatment, Somatic approaches, play based methods, CBT and TF-CBT .
Who is TCTSY Useful for?
TCTSY is an evidence based adjunct therapy for individuals struggling with:
• Complex Trauma
• Developmental Trauma
• PTSD
In addition, TCTSY may be helpful for individuals struggling with:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Post-partum Depression
• Attachment Issues
• Other Mental Health Issues
*In order to maintain their on-going supervisory relationship with The Trauma Center, certified TCTSY facilitators are required to meet established criteria for both professional development and integrity of their TCTSY practice. Only certified facilitators who are compliant with these standards are authorized by The Trauma Center to represent themselves as TCTSY-Facilitators.
Nicole Postma
(MSW, RSW, TCTSY-F) | ALIGN Program Facilitator
A Registered Social Worker since 2006, Nicole began to get curious about the body’s response to trauma, relationships and challenges. In 2018 she began her journey into a whole and integrated approach to mental health starting with completing her Yoga Teacher Training for kids. She then became a 200 hour certified instructor before completing the 300 hour Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Program from the Center for Trauma and Embodiment where she remains in good standing.
While building the ALIGN program, Nicole was an active instructor at Lost ‘n Found. In 2022, Nicole began to focus solely on the ALIGN program offering 1:1 therapy and group TCTSY movement.
Nicole has continued to grow her knowledge to understand the whole human’s experience of trauma and healing and in 2023, Nicole completed her 60- hour certificate in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, with the Embody Lab. She is also trained in Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
Through the ALIGN program, Nicole values the privilege of partnering with humans on their healing journey. She believes in empowering others to understand their own experiences whether physical, emotional or thought based and actively move towards healing through a variety of perspectives including TCTSY, somatic experiencing, CBT, neuroscience and other perspectives.
Brianna Van Hooydonk
(MSc, RP, CCC, CTP) | ALIGN Program Therapist
Brianna is a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Trauma Practitioner. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master’s Degree in Counselling. Brianna is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, as well as a Certified Canadian Counsellor. Brianna completed her training to become a Certified Trauma Practitioner at The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. She understands how trauma impacts the brain, body and behaviour of an individual and how there are important aspects to therapy such as a strong feeling of safety and sensory relief with a goal to help them feel empowered and in control.
Brianna has been working with clients of all ages over the past 10 years dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and emotional regulation. She has worked with children and youth building self-esteem and social skills as well as managing difficult emotions. Brianna has completed additional training in several areas such as suicide intervention, grief and loss, mediation, and creative interventions such as play and art.
Brianna’s goal as a therapist is to work with clients to help overcome challenges and obstacles and make positive changes, recognizing their strengths and gaining a feeling of control over their lives. As a mother of three, she extends her passion for family into her work with clients. Helping others motivates and inspires her.
