Trauma

Though trauma can have long-lasting effects, many individuals show remarkable resilience and are able to recover with time and support. You don’t have to suffer in silence. If any of this resonates with you, then don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a licensed mental health professional for advice specific to your situation.

What is trauma?

Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that are deeply distressing or disturbing. It can result from experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, leaving them feeling helpless, unsafe, or out of control.

Trauma can affect a person on multiple levels—physically, emotionally, and psychologically—and the impact can vary greatly from person to person.

If you have ever found yourself asking:

• Why do I feel so overwhelmed or anxious all the time?
• Why do I feel numb or disconnected from my emotions?
• Will people judge or reject me if they know my story?
• Why can’t I just forget about it and move on?

Then you may have unresolved trauma.

Types of trauma

Acute Trauma:

Results from a single, distressing event (e.g., a car accident, natural disaster, or assault).

Chronic Trauma:

Involves repeated and prolonged exposure to stressful events (e.g., domestic abuse, childhood neglect, or long-term illness).

Complex Trauma:

Occurs from exposure to multiple, ongoing traumatic events, often in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or family dysfunction. It can have lasting effects on emotional regulation and self-perception.

Developmental Trauma:

Refers to trauma that occurs during early childhood and affects the development of emotional and social regulation, attachment, and cognition.

Vicarious Trauma:

Occurs when an individual (often a helping professional like a therapist or first responder) is affected by exposure to the trauma of others.

What are the signs someone may be experiencing trauma?

Trauma can manifest in various ways, including:

• Emotional and Psychological Symptoms: Intrusive memories, hyperarousal, avoidance, emotional numbing, mood swings, feeling helpless or hopeless.
• Physical Symptoms: Sleep disturbances, physical pain, fatigue, increased heart rate/sweating: 
• Cognitive Symptoms: Memory problems, disassociation (feeling detached from reality or as if watching life from the outside), negative beliefs about yourself

What are the long-term impacts of trauma?

If left unaddressed, trauma can lead to more serious mental health conditions such as:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A disorder in which trauma symptoms persist for months or years, including flashbacks, avoidance, and hyperarousal.
• Complex PTSD (C-PTSD): Often results from chronic, long-term trauma (like childhood abuse), and includes symptoms of PTSD along with difficulties in emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and self-identity.
• Depression and Anxiety: Trauma can lead to chronic anxiety or depression, with a pervasive sense of sadness or fear.
• Substance abuse: Individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the effects of trauma.
• Attachment issues: Trauma, particularly in childhood, can lead to difficulties forming healthy attachments or relationships.

What are effective ways to treat trauma?

Effective treatments for trauma often involve psychological interventions designed to help people process and heal from their experiences. Approaches I offer include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to trauma.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A therapy specifically designed to help you reprocess traumatic memories in a less distressing way.
• Mindfulness: Skill based interventions to help you gently navigate trauma symptoms by promoting acceptance, grounding, and emotional regulation.