Understanding Trauma and the Role of Trauma Therapy

Trauma affects millions of people, yet we can struggle to understand what it truly means and how to heal from it. Trauma therapy offers a path towards recovery by providing a safe space to explore painful experiences and emotions. This post explains trauma, its impact, and how trauma therapy can support healing and growth.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma occurs when a person experiences an event or series of events that overwhelm their ability to cope. These events can be sudden, like an accident or assault, or ongoing, such as neglect or abuse. Trauma affects the brain, body, and emotions, often leaving lasting effects.

Types of Trauma

• Acute trauma: Results from a single distressing event.

• Chronic trauma: Comes from repeated or prolonged exposure to stressful events.

• Complex trauma: Involves multiple traumatic experiences, often starting in childhood.

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Occurs following exposure to trauma, certain criteria are met for a diagnosis of PTSD.

  
  

Trauma is not limited to extreme events. Experiences like bullying, loss, or sudden changes can cause trauma if they disrupt a person’s sense of safety.

How Trauma Affects People

Trauma impacts individuals differently, but common effects can include:

• Emotional symptoms: Anxiety, depression, anger, numbness, emotional overwhelm.

• Physical symptoms: Fatigue and insomnia, chronic pain, changes in appetite, nightmares and flashbacks.

• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems.

• Behavioural symptoms: Avoidance, withdrawal, self-destructive behaviours.

  
  

These symptoms can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Trauma can also affect how people view themselves and the world, often leading to feelings of shame or mistrust.

What Is Trauma Therapy?

As a Trauma therapist I work within Judith Herman's 3 stage trauma recovery model:

1. Safety and stabilisation: This might include psycho-education to help you understand the impact of trauma, grounding skills to help with self regulation, boundary setting and flashback or nightmare work.

2. Processing: This might include forming a narrative of the traumatic memories and working with the body to help release stored trauma. This stage is also referred to as remembrance and mourning as grief and loss often come up when working through traumatic memories.

3. Reconnection: Finding a sense of self. This might include a reparenting process and a letting go of the past. Creating healthy boundaries and participating in self compassion and self care.

What if I can't talk about it?

Trauma therapy doesn't have to include talking about the traumatic event(s) directly. There are techniques and ways of working with the trauma without having to discuss it. You should never feel forced into discussing anything you are not ready to.

How Trauma Therapy Helps Trauma Survivors

Trauma therapy supports trauma recovery by:

• Providing safety: A confidential space where survivors feel heard and respected.

• Building understanding: Providing psychoeducation helps people make sense of their experiences and reactions.

• Teaching coping skills: Techniques to manage stress, anxiety, and triggers.

• Reducing isolation: Connecting survivors with support and validation.

• Promoting empowerment: Encouraging control over one’s healing journey.

  
  

What to Expect in Therapy

Starting therapy can feel intimidating. Here’s what typically happens:

• Initial assessment: The therapist gathers background information and discusses goals.

• Building rapport: Establishing trust and comfort.

• Exploration: Talking through experiences and feelings at a pace that feels safe.

• Skill development: Learning strategies to handle difficult emotions.

• Progress review: Regular check-ins to evaluate growth and adjust the approach.