Trauma Therapy

Trauma encompasses any experience that feels overwhelming to your nervous system, triggers strong negative emotions, or involves a sense of powerlessness and intense vulnerability.

All humans experience trauma to some extent, yet not every individual becomes traumatized. Ideally, trauma is processed through the internal resources we possess and through the support of friends, family, or others we trust. This explains why 4 soldiers may witness the same horrific car bombing and loss of people they grew to love, yet only 1 of the 4 develops PTSD. The same logic applies to those who have suffered abuse, assault, neglect, chronic illness, medical trauma, accidents, etc.

With sufficient internal and external resources in place, we are able to process the overwhelming experiences and trauma does not get trapped in the body causing long-term symptoms. Unfortunately, we did not all possess these resources…or felt we were unable to trust others for support.

Trauma is essentially an overwhelm to the nervous system due to any of these circumstances:

TOO MUCH FOR TOO LONG – Examples include chronic abuse of any kind, bullying, humiliation, discrimination, or prejudice

TOO LITTLE FOR TOO LONG – Examples include feeling ignored/criticized/unable to measure up to parents’ expectations or siblings’ triumphs, regularly feeling alone and isolated, abandonment, or neglect

TOO MUCH TOO SOON – Examples include physical or sexual assault, combat, domestic violence, community violence, accident, natural disaster, life-threatening illness, unexpected loss, divorce, betrayal, loss of career, a difficult move, or a partner’s affair

The Brain’s Response to Trauma

When we are dealt something beyond what we can handle, and we have a belief that there’s nothing we can do about it…the brain (without consulting you) takes that experience, registers what is most important about it for survival, and sets it aside, locking it in its own compartment.

There it remains, just below the surface – influencing your life, shaping your decisions and reactions, and causing symptoms that interfere with your ability to function. This often looks like oversensitivity, overreacting, or an inability to control your emotions.

Dr. Gabor Maté explains that “a trauma is not simply what happens to you. Trauma is what happens within you – in your mind, and in your body.”

Over time, you may have created “strategies” to adapt – to keep from remembering, knowing, and feeling the stored trauma you carry. These may include…

Symptoms that indicate trauma may remain stored in the body include…

Generalized Anxiety

Social anxiety

Racing thoughts

Aggression

Compulsive behavior

Gambling

Sex

Judging others

Dismissive attitude

Arrogance

Push others away

Grandiosity

People-pleasing

Perfectionism

Misdirected anger

Over-responsibility

Apologizing

Self-criticism

Picking fights

Blaming self or others

Fixating on thoughts

Phobias

Rationalizing

Overactivity

Excessive sleeping

Risk-taking

Promiscuity

Addiction

Pornography

Alcohol and drugs

Overeating

Anorexia/bulimia

Self-harm

Lying

Suicidal ideation

Lying

Obsessive thinking

Denial

Procrastination

Controlling behavior

Rumination

Depression

Workaholism

Changing the subject

Numbing

Dissociating

Disengaging

Avoidance

Withdrawal

Isolation

Detaching/don’t care

Fatigue

Joking

Self-hatred

Fogginess

Externalizing

Minimizing

Sarcasm

Talking too much

Intellectualizing

Caretaking

Deflection

The Body Remembers

Understanding the effects of trauma can feel overwhelming, but it is important that we educate ourselves so that we can stop minimizing our wounds. The body does not forget. Although you may feel broken, you are not. You are hurt and you need support. You probably adapted to the burdens you carry through some of the strategies listed above.

How amazing that our bodies know how to use such strategies to move us through life…keep us functioning. But if you are reading all of this, you are likely wanting to heal and let go of these old patterns.

There is so much hope! Your wounds will give you wisdom. They will teach you to be curious, to listen, and ultimately to find self-compassion. It begins with reaching out for support, embracing vulnerability, and allowing connection with someone you can trust.

When truth opens our hearts and our innate wisdom begins to shine through our wounds.
Dr.Gabor Maté

Trauma is essentially an overwhelm to the nervous system due to any of these circumstances:

The Brain’s Response to Trauma

The Body Remembers

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