Understanding Trauma: How It Affects Us and How Trauma-Informed Therapy Can Help
Trauma is a deeply personal experience that can shape our mental, emotional, and physical well-being in profound ways. Whether from a single event or repeated exposure to distressing experiences, trauma has lasting effects that can influence how we think, feel, and behave. Understanding how trauma presents psychologically and physiologically is essential to the healing process, and trauma-informed therapy can provide a supportive path forward.
At True Psychotherapy, we believe in offering a safe, compassionate space for individuals who have experienced trauma, utilizing trauma-informed modalities to guide healing and recovery.
How Trauma Manifests Psychologically
Psychologically, trauma can present in many forms and often varies based on the individual and the nature of the trauma. Common psychological symptoms of trauma include:
Intrusive Thoughts and Flashbacks: Individuals may experience recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event. These flashbacks can feel intensely real, making the person feel as though they are reliving the event.
Hypervigilance: Trauma survivors may feel constantly on edge, as though something bad could happen at any moment. This state of heightened alertness can lead to difficulty relaxing or concentrating.
Emotional Numbness: In response to overwhelming emotions, some trauma survivors may shut down emotionally, feeling disconnected from themselves and others. This can manifest as a lack of joy, apathy, or an inability to form close relationships.
Avoidance: Many people with trauma avoid anything that might remind them of the traumatic event. This can include avoiding people, places, or even thoughts and conversations that trigger painful memories.
Mood Changes and Irritability: Mood swings, sudden outbursts of anger, or feelings of frustration are common emotional responses to trauma. The person may also struggle with depression, anxiety, or overwhelming feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Self-Blame and Guilt: Survivors of trauma often carry a sense of shame or guilt, believing they are responsible for what happened to them, even when it was outside their control.
How Trauma Affects the Body (Physiologically)
Trauma doesn't just affect the mind—it also has profound impacts on the body. The body often holds onto trauma, which can manifest in various physical symptoms, including:
Fight, Flight, or Freeze Responses: Trauma can activate the body’s stress response systems, leading to constant activation of the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. This is the body’s way of preparing to deal with perceived threats, even when the danger is no longer present.
Chronic Stress: The physiological effects of trauma can keep the body in a state of high alert, resulting in chronic stress. This can lead to long-term health issues like high blood pressure, digestive problems, and a weakened immune system.
Somatic Symptoms: People who have experienced trauma often report physical symptoms, such as unexplained pain, headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue. These somatic symptoms are the body’s way of expressing unresolved trauma.
Sleep Disturbances: Trauma can severely affect a person’s ability to rest and recover. Many individuals experience insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep, which can further compound feelings of exhaustion and anxiety.
Breathing and Heart Rate Changes: When triggered, the body may respond with rapid breathing, increased heart rate, or feelings of breathlessness. These are natural responses to perceived danger, but they can become chronic in individuals who have experienced trauma.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Can Help
Healing from trauma requires a compassionate, supportive approach that acknowledges the complex ways trauma affects the mind and body. Trauma-informed therapy is based on the understanding that trauma is not just a psychological issue but also a physiological one. This approach prioritizes safety, trust, and empowerment for the individual. Some key elements of trauma-informed therapy include:
Safety and Trust: Trauma-informed therapy creates a safe space where clients feel physically and emotionally secure. Establishing trust is essential, as individuals who have experienced trauma often have difficulty feeling safe in relationships, including therapeutic ones.
Empowerment and Collaboration: Trauma-informed therapists work collaboratively with clients, giving them control over the pace of therapy and the decisions made. This helps individuals regain a sense of agency, which is often lost due to trauma.
Recognizing the Impact of Trauma: Trauma-informed therapists are trained to recognize the wide-ranging impact of trauma. They understand that behaviors or symptoms that may seem confusing or disruptive are often protective mechanisms the individual has developed to cope with their experiences.
Trauma-Informed Modalities
There are several therapeutic approaches specifically designed to address trauma. Some of the most effective trauma-informed modalities include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a highly effective trauma-focused therapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories. By using bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements), EMDR enables the brain to reprocess trauma in a way that reduces its emotional charge. Over time, the memory becomes less distressing, allowing the person to heal from the trauma.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a well-established approach that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to trauma. Trauma-informed CBT incorporates an understanding of how trauma shapes thought processes and aims to help clients challenge and reframe these thoughts in a safe and supportive environment.
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Somatic Experiencing focuses on the body's physiological response to trauma. It helps individuals become more aware of their physical sensations and gently releases the stored energy of the trauma through body-based techniques. By addressing how trauma is held in the body, SE helps individuals process and release unresolved emotions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Mindfulness-based approaches, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), teach clients to stay present in the moment without judgment. This can help trauma survivors reduce hypervigilance and anxiety by grounding them in the present rather than the past.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS helps individuals explore and understand the different “parts” of themselves, especially the parts that hold trauma. By working with these parts and helping them feel safe and understood, IFS can be a powerful tool in trauma healing, fostering a sense of inner harmony.
Trauma-Focused Couples Therapy: For those who experience trauma in the context of a relationship, trauma-informed couples therapy can be a valuable resource. This approach helps couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and develop a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts their dynamic.
Healing Through Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma can leave lasting imprints on our emotional and physical well-being, but with the right support, healing is possible. Trauma-informed therapy offers a compassionate, holistic approach that acknowledges the profound impact of trauma while guiding individuals toward recovery. By addressing both the mind and body, trauma-informed therapy provides tools for individuals to regain control over their lives, restore their sense of safety, and reconnect with themselves.
At True Psychotherapy, I provide a trauma-informed approach tailored to the unique needs of each individual. If you’ve experienced trauma and are ready to take the next step in your healing journey, I’m here to support you with compassion and care.
True Psychotherapy
Healing trauma through compassion, trust, and proven therapeutic techniques.