Offering sessions
in-person and via Telehealth
Trauma
Trauma refers to any event that significantly disrupts your life. Some traumas are substantial, such as infidelity, loss of a parent, or an accident, while others may be smaller incidents that accumulate over time. Regardless of their magnitude, trauma can adversely affect your self-esteem and overall well-being, resulting in anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and profound sadness. You may feel as though you have lost control over your actions, as if your body is merely going through the motions.
Unresolved trauma can severely affect your relationships. This happens because we do not just remember trauma; we relive it. When your mind and body enter a state of survival, your reactions may mirror the coping mechanisms that once provided safety during those traumatic events. In relationships, this can show up as behaviors like withdrawing, engaging in arguments, avoiding conflict, or trying to appease others. These behaviors often stem from the original trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. For instance, during a disagreement with your partner, you might become quiet (freeze), leave the room (avoidance), respond defensively (fight), or agree to things against your will (fawning). Often, we are unaware that our current reactions are influenced by past trauma until a therapist brings it to our attention.
The main objective of trauma therapy is to help individuals process their emotions related to the traumatic experience so that it no longer interferes with their daily lives. In couples counseling, a trauma-informed approach can assist partners in exploring past relationships, addressing the lingering effects of previous trauma, identifying triggers, and working through these issues to build a stronger connection in the present. It is indeed possible to overcome the symptoms of relationship-related PTSD and develop healthy, fulfilling relationships once more.
If you desire additional support and guidance in navigating life's challenges, whether as an individual or within a relationship, please do not hesitate to contact me to schedule an appointment.
Why is it crucial to adopt a trauma-informed
approach across all forms of therapy?
It is essential to implement a trauma-informed approach in all therapeutic practices, as unresolved trauma can have a profound impact on both individuals and their relationships. This occurs because trauma is not merely remembered; it is often re-experienced.
When the mind and body enter a survival mode, responses may reflect the coping strategies that were once effective during those distressing times. These behaviors typically arise from the initial trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Frequently, individuals may not realize that their present reactions are shaped by past traumas until a therapist highlights this connection.
The primary aim of trauma therapy is to assist individuals in processing their emotions associated with traumatic experiences, allowing them to regain control over their daily lives.
What is trauma?
Trauma is a response to a troubling event that exceeds a person's capacity to handle it effectively. It can have a wide range of negative effects on our lives—mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. It can make it difficult to cope with everyday life, leading to a significant shift in how we experience the world after the trauma compared to before. Trauma can occur at any point in life and can impact health at any age. It might arise from one specific event or from a collection of experiences over time.
Which factors can
lead to Trauma?
- Experiencing abuse or neglect during childhood
- Suffering from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Experiencing intimate partner violence or domestic abuse
- Growing up with a family member who has mental health issues or struggles with substance use
- Facing an unexpected and sudden separation from someone you care about
- Living in poverty
- Encountering racism, discrimination, or oppression
- Being exposed to violence in your community, war, or acts of terrorism
- Enduring natural disasters
- Dealing with financial instability
- Struggling with food insecurity
- Experiencing homelessness
What are the three different types of trauma?
Acute trauma: This type arises from a single, distinct traumatic event, such as a car accident, the death of a loved one, or a natural disaster.
Chronic trauma: This occurs due to ongoing and repeated exposure to highly stressful situations, often involving similar traumatic experiences over time. Examples include childhood abuse, toxic relationships, and experiences in military combat.
Complex trauma: Complex trauma refers to the experience of multiple, often interconnected traumatic events and the challenges that come with coping or surviving these situations. These adverse experiences usually start in early childhood, are persistent or recurring, and are often inflicted by others, particularly within close relationships. They can be exacerbated by patterns of dysfunction that affect families across generations and may intersect with systemic violence and oppression faced by marginalized communities. Individuals with complex trauma frequently experience overlapping mental health issues and stressors. For instance, someone who endured abuse in childhood may face chronic trauma and later develop conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression as an adult.
What are symptoms
of trauma?
Emotional Symptoms
- Struggling with depression and a sense of hopelessness
- Going through shock, denial, or disbelief- Facing confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Dealing with mood swings, irritability, and anger- Feeling shame, guilt, and self
-blame
- Being hypervigilant or constantly on edge
- Battling feelings helplessness or emotional numbness
- Having cognitive difficulties
- Withdrawing socially
- Losing interest in activities
- Finding it hard to feel positive emotions
- Engaging in self-blame
- Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares
- Exhibiting irritability or sudden angry outbursts
- Becoming easily upset or agitated
- Holding negative views of oneself or the world
- Struggling to trust others, getting into conflicts, or trying to exert control
- Feeling withdrawn, rejected, or abandoned
Physical Symptoms
- Struggles with sleep or experiencing nightmares
- Feeling excessively tired or quickly worn out
- Heightened startle responses
- Digestive issues and difficulty with appetite
- Racing heart, quickened breathing, and trembling
- Excessive sweating
- General body discomfort and pain
- Muscle tightness
- Intense headaches when recalling the incident
- Neglecting exercise, nutrition, safe sexual practices, or routine health check-ups
- Increased smoking, drinking, drug use, or overeating
- Worsening of existing health conditions
- Challenges in focusing on everyday activities
