Trauma

Trauma is a term that has become more widely used in the last few years, as it has become more studied and we have more treatments. Some symptoms of trauma can look like:

  • Flashbacks

  • Intrusive Memories

  • Chronic Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Hyper-vigilance

  • Lower Self-Esteem/ Self-Worth

  • Codependency

  • Fear of Rejection

  • Hyper-Independence

  • Difficulty Sleeping

  • Chronic Stress

The body, not the thinking brain, is where we experience most of our pain, pleasure, and joy, and where we process most of what happens to us. It is also where we do most of our healing.

-RESMAA MENAKEM

  • Trauma is often misunderstood as an event; however, trauma is actually a physiological response in your body. Trauma occurs when your nervous system becomes so overwhelmed that your brain is unable to process what is happening. It is the emotional and physical reaction to a terrible event like an accident, sexual assault, or natural disaster. It can also occur from repeated trauma, like emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.

  • Secondary traumatic stress is the emotional response that results when an individual hears (or sees) firsthand traumatic experiences of others.

  • Vicarious trauma is from empathetic engagement with trauma survivors. Anyone who engages empathetically with survivors of traumatic incidents, torture, and material relating to their trauma is potentially affected.

  • Complex trauma is ongoing and repeated traumatic events/ instances. Examples may be childhood abuse, physical or emotional neglect, abandonment, ongoing domestic violence, repeatedly witnessing violence, repeated cyberbullying, ongoing emotional abuse, medical trauma, etc. Complex trauma often has interpersonal consequences longterm and can impact future relationships. It can result in delayed development, difficulties with regulating emotions, intense shame, and disassociation.

Revitalize Wellness Counseling recognizes that trauma is an emotional response that is often stored in our bodies. This means that the body can react without us cognitively understanding why we are reacting or responding negatively. Some therapy modalities that are integrated at Revitalize Wellness Counseling include somatic approaches, EMDR, parts work, narrative work, mindfulness, and addressing the connection between mind and body. Revitalize Wellness Counseling can help you process your experiences, recognize how trauma may be impacting your life today, develop coping strategies, reclaim (or build) autonomy & self-confidence, develop/ strengthen your sense of self, and find safety in who you are.

If you are ready to start the healing process from trauma, reach out to request a free consultation.