Sunni S. Lutton a critical trauma perspective

Sunni is dedicated to being in relational space with those who struggle in body-mind haunts that can be disruptive to daily life. Moving away from the medical model, she seeks to understand patterns of stress, trauma, and attachment wounds as they replay in the body, as well as the adaptations that have developed around the wound(s). She believes strongly that when the focus stays in a "disordered" model, healing is limited by outdated competence. Instead, critical trauma and communication models of understanding offer increased awareness and mental wellbeing.

A critical trauma understanding of the struggles that pattern in our body-mind offers awareness that moves beyond a psychologized, disordered self model of understanding. Beyond the medical model referrals to "meds and beds" Sunni seeks to build a bridge from the dependent model of counseling to the independent struggle model of communication.

Sunni's intergenerational and personal experiences of institutional abuse and oppression, informs her critical inquiry of current institutional practices as they pertain to individual mental wellbeing. Maurice Stevens, a pioneer of critical trauma theory, encourages a need for a reimagining of the humanities. Sunni believes that perhaps the first step would be for mental health helping professionals to look outside our own echo chamber of professional voices to become aware of what other disciplines (e.g., Communication) and their knowledge might offer.

Education & Training

• PhD, Counselor Education (2018), University of Florida
• MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2014), Northern Kentucky University
• BA, Psychology (1996) Thomas More College
• AA, History (1996) Thomas More College

Rights-Based Mental Health Training

• Wellness Recovery Action Planning
• Intentional Peer Support, trainer trained
• Hearing Voices Facilitator Training

Licensing and Practice History

• LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor (practicing trauma counselor for 10+ years)
• Qualified Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (State of Florida)
• Trauma Trainer and Educator for 10+ years