Learning About Trauma and the Brain with Julie Brown (MA, RP, CCC)
This week, Ms. Brown's AP Literature classes welcomed Psychotherapist and Trauma Expert, Julie Brown to learn about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how the brain processes trauma. The class was not only thrilled to meet Julie but they were also excited to welcome her into their classroom, in person. Due to the pandemic, this was the first time Ms. Brown has welcomed a face-to-face guest speaker in two years! It was great to see our students connect and engage with each other, and with Julie, in one room.
Though Julie visited in person, Ms. Brown connected her laptop via Zoom to stream the conversation for two of our remote students who tuned in at 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. local time!
After reading The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (as a part of their unit on the Impact of War Upon One's Moral Compass), students examined the book and the characters within it in preparation to write a psychoanalytic theory essay about the novel.
Our students came to class prepared with questions to ask Julie, eager to learn from her unique perspective. Some of the questions our students posed include:
- Do you believe that there are similarities between Freud's ideas on the formation of dreams and O'Brien's storytelling process in writing The Things They Carried?
- What are the signs we can learn to identify when looking at a person’s mental health?
- How do dominant archetypes in people shift due to conversation and therapy?
- Would you say the author, Tim O'Brien's use of repetition and lists has to do with his desire for control? Would this be a function of PTSD?
- Is the metafictional aspect of the novel related to O'Brien's own personal history as a veteran of the Vietnam war?
Julie engaged with our students in a conversation about mental wellbeing and spoke about the factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD. Julie addressed how individuals with PTSD attempt to cope with their emotions in healthy and unhealthy ways, sharing some of the strategies she recommends to her clients. She led the class through a breathing exercise designed to lower cortisol levels and help re-center the mind. Woven throughout the session, Julie contextualized her knowledge about mental wellbeing through the lens of The Things They Carried, helping students to better understand the novel and the novelist, Tim O’Brien.
Following their meeting with Julie, students reflected on their learning and had some insightful thoughts to share:
- “The concept of self-blame in trauma victims was an idea that was reframed in a really impactful way for me. Traumatic experiences disconnect our mind and body - and this is what forms trauma.” - Grace ’22
- “I learned the distinction between an emotional event that can evocate a powerful feeling in someone but is not necessarily considered trauma. Trauma is a reaction where an individual feels as though they are reliving the same event and it is taking place again and there is confusion between past and present.” - Sarah ’22
- “I learned that PTSD occurs unknowingly in trauma victims. Due to the incorrect depiction of PTSD in media, I assumed that the disorder was visible to both the victims and those around the victim. It was interesting to learn that PTSD often presents itself as ordinary symptoms such as anxiety.” - Louise ’22
Thank you, Julie, for visiting our students and helping them contextualize this novel within psychological theories. We learned so much from your expertise!
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4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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