Trauma

Trauma is everywhere as it reflects the inherently flawed nature of human existence. For this reason, Trauma is often considered an umbrella term, encompassing a wide range of experiences and responses. It can refer to a single, acute event or a more prolonged and complex history of exposure to distressing events.

Trauma may be caused by:
• One overwhelming event
• The wound from a thousand tiny cuts
• The drip, drip effect of repeated experience
• The absence of loving connection
• Not being held in mind
• Not being seen
• The experience of not belonging in family, community, society

The impact of trauma is subjective and influenced by individual factors like previous experiences, resilience, and existing mental health conditions. 
Common, psychological responses to trauma, include:
• Anxiety and anger
• Depression
• Shame and guilt
• Flashbacks, Nightmares & Dissociation

There is very good evidence that Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an effective treatment for PTSD. 
As human beings we are our bodies and in trauma our safe relationship with the body is broken down, in the same way the relationship with the body with the outside world is broken too. The body is the structure through which we are in communication with the outside world. This means that if we can’t feel safe within ourselves, we won’t be able to feel safe as we journey through life.

Trauma therapy will be working on developing and practising techniques to manage the overwhelming feelings PTSD brings, accessing memories of the trauma in order to process them properly, helping  to make sense of traumatic events and helping people reclaim what they may have lost or neglected in response to the trauma.