What is trauma?

Traumatic events are ones that cause us to feel a sense of threat, as well as a sense of powerlessness in the face of that threat. This combination overwhelms our survival instincts, leading to trauma. Trauma, however, is not so much about the event itself, but the wounds it leaves behind. 

Much of these wounds take root in parts of our brain that exist outside of logic, language, and consciousness. Instead, trauma is largely held in our emotions, sensations, and physical impulses. It shows up as fear, shame, emotional reactivity, a hyper-active nervous system, difficulty connecting with others, and attempts to numb feelings that seem too big to handle. 

The wounds of trauma are triggered whenever we encounter something reminiscent, on some level, of traumatic events. Quickly and unconsciously, emotions and sensory experiences related to the event flood our system, and our overwhelmed survival instincts scramble to keep us safe. The result is interfacing with the world predominantly through survival strategies, the ones that got us through traumatic events and developed to protect us from emotional and sensory flashbacks. 

How does therapy help trauma?

My approach to therapy addresses the ways in which you continue, here in the present, to experience the wounds traumatic events have left behind. By understanding and shifting automatic, unconscious responses to reminders of traumatic events, we can create space for more of your authentic self to emerge and respond to the world, rather than your survival strategies. 

What’s the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?

PTSD is usually the result of a single traumatic event, such as an assault, accident, or disaster. On the other hand, Complex PTSD develops from chronic, repeated traumatic events, which are often interpersonal in nature. 

PTSD and Complex PTSD share many features, however, Complex PTSD tends to be more strongly characterized by reactive emotions, relationship difficulties, and negative feelings and beliefs about oneself.