Trauma

What Is Trauma?

When thinking of trauma, it is crucial to remember that it does not take a single life altering event for trauma to arise. For most, trauma is ingrained into their behaviors, patterns, and thoughts without even being fully aware of the extent. Trauma is an emotional or mental response to a negative experience that an individual may have gone through. This could be an impactful singular event, or it could be years of abuse from someone they loved. Either way, the individual deserves to be validated in their experiences and affirmed that they can continue to grow and heal past their trauma.

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What Does Trauma Look Like?

When someone experiences trauma, it can disrupt their sense of safety, control, and trust in the world. The symptoms of trauma can vary in intensity and duration, but some common ones include:

Re-experiencing the trauma: This can occur through distressing and intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. The person may feel as though they are reliving the traumatic event, often accompanied by intense emotions and physical sensations.
Avoidance and numbing: Individuals may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma, such as people, places, or activities. They may also experience emotional numbing, feeling disconnected from their own emotions or from others, leading to a sense of isolation.

What Does Trauma Look Like? (cont.)

Hyperarousal and heightened reactivity: Trauma can lead to increased sensitivity to potential threats, resulting in feelings of irritability, anger, and hypervigilance. Individuals may also have difficulty concentrating or sleeping, experiencing an exaggerated startle response or becoming easily startled.
Negative thoughts and mood: Trauma can lead to persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame are common. Depression, anxiety, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are also frequently observed.

How Can Therapy Help?

Trauma therapy is a tool for those who are seeking to understand their negative experiences in a safe and proactive way. Not everyone will be ready to completely surrender themselves to vulnerability, but all it takes is the first step of acknowledging that there needs to be a change. The symptoms of trauma can arise at any moment, causing debilitating anxiety attacks or depressive episodes by the mere memory of the negative experience. Our goal is to help you reach a point where you can confidently look yourself in the eye and be reminded of the power that you hold within. We believe that small steps towards recovery are better than neglecting your emotional and mental needs.

Take Back Your Power Over Trauma

Trauma can affect anyone, and the damage that can be taken from it can have lasting effects. That is why our therapists prioritize meeting you where you are to walk alongside you in your healing journey. Through empathetic and encouraging sessions, you can take back the power that your trauma has over you. If you or a loved one is experiencing trauma, please contact our office so that we can make a plan to support you in any way needed.