Trauma

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with the compassion to see you, and the space to hold you.

Trauma is a psychological, emotional and/or physical response to a real or perceived highly distressing, threatening or harmful situation or event. The impact of the experience may not be immediately evident, but the memories of these experiences create triggers which cause people to react without conscious awareness. Some of the most common mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and addiction, are the outward symptoms of underlying trauma.

There are three main types of trauma:

  • Acute Trauma: arises from a single event

  • Chronic Trauma: develops over time from prolonged exposure to highly stressful situations such as abuse or violence

  • Complex Trauma: exposure to multiple traumatic events, often throughout childhood

Trauma affects each individual differently and can present as a variety of symptoms and behaviours:

  • Emotional: Anxiety, depression, anger/short-tempered, guilt or sadness

  • Physical: chronic pain or illness, inflammation in the body, compromised immune system, sleep disturbances

  • Behavioural: Lack of self control, addictive tendencies, impulsive/compulsive behaviours, substance abuse

Examples of what we do in the room

  • Learn to identify and dispute irrational or maladaptive thoughts known as cognitive distortions. Change the thoughts associated with trauma, which will facilitate change in behavioural patterns.

  • Identify values and the skills to enhance the ability to embody these values and effectively confront current and future problems.

  • Body-centred approach that integrates talk therapy with physical techniques like breathing, body awareness, and movement to help release trauma stored in the body.