Ed Pila became a #policeofficer in the Detroit area, where he focused on the domestic violence unit. Upon retirement, he sought counseling for #PTSD recovery and also found his way to Argentine #tango.
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As a child, Ed witnessed domestic violence and acts that no child should ever see. In his work, Ed says, his heart was endeared to the many women and children that became victims of domestic violence.
“Yet, I was not aware of the ramifications that would come from witnessing a career length of traumatic incidents. This is known in the psych world as ‘secondary #trauma.’”
Ed found himself affected by the compounded traumas he witnessed in his role as a police officer. He chose to retire from the police department, but it didn’t solve his troubles. In fact, his emotional state worsened.
“I found myself isolating, alone, and #depressed,” he said.
After much contemplation, he realized that his police training may have been part of the problem - it taught him to stay six feet away from people at all times, for safety reasons.
“The trauma in childhood, secondary trauma from a police career, and a focus of many years on keeping my distance from people had caught up to me. I needed healing. But, I wasn’t sure where to begin.”
One evening, Ed walked out of a martial arts class one evening and observed a business with a large window across the parking lot. Inside people were dancing close together. He was drawn to the positive energy. And although he had never danced before, #Argentinetango became a surprising and effective therapeutic activity.
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27 мар 2019
