Therapy for Trauma and PTSD

We hear the word “trauma” and “PTSD” used a lot in our culture.  But what is trauma?  Trauma is the way the body reacts to something so difficult that even once it’s over, the body continues to relive it.  There is no imminent danger, but the brain continues to send the message, “I’m not safe”.  Trauma is not what happens to someone, but the way the body responds to it.  Thus, two people can go through the exact same event but have two very different responses to it. About 90% of people will at one time or another go through something traumatic, but only about 8% of those will develop PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder.  When someone experiences a trauma, avoidance, reliving the event, a heightened startle response, or fear of harm or death can arise and last for several weeks.  If these symptoms persist longer than a few weeks, this person could be experiencing PTSD. 

Sometimes the experiences that shape us the most happened long ago.  Many people live with the effects of their past experiences for years or even decades before even realizing their struggles could actually be trauma.  You may be noticing that you consistently struggle with things such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional suppression, difficulty trusting others, or staying busy to avoid dealing with difficult experiences.  These could all be a result of living with trauma in your life.  Many, if not most of my clients discover they began experiencing trauma in their early childhood year, they find themselves thinking:​​

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• “Why do I struggle so much when my childhood wasn’t that bad?”

• “I know my parents did their best to raise me, but yet I still feel like I wasn’t loved by them.”

• “Why do I keep repeating the same patterns?”

• “Why do I feel anxious, disconnected or unworthy?”

• “Why do my connections and relationships feel so difficult?”

• “Why can’t I seem to move on from the past?”

• “Do my experiences even count as trauma?”

Childhood trauma is not always defined by what happened, but by what was missing. Things such as consistent support, feelings of emotional safety and love, validation, protection and connection – all being vital for emotional wellness and meaning in life. Healing is not about blaming yourself or your family.  It is about understanding your story, honoring your experiences, and moving forward with greater compassion, confidence, and connection.

You may have learned to ignore your own needs, suppress your emotions, or stay constantly alert to the needs of others.  You have learned to do these things to survive in the past, even though are no longer serving you today.  Lack of healthy boundaries, not being able to say “no”, being suspicious of others, or refusing to be emotionally vulnerable with others may have developed as a way to cope with the painful situations in your past.  These behaviors make sense when seen through a lens of what you’ve endured.