When we hear the word trauma, we tend to think about military veterans, survivors of horrific accidents, and PTSD. Because of this, we might dismiss our experiences of trauma and try to ignore the pain we carry. We all respond to traumatic events differently, and two people can experience the same event and have very different perceptions, feelings and reactions to it. Trauma can happen to anyone – and so many people are affected by it.
Traumas can be caused through a single incident, such as a car accident, natural disaster, sexual assault, or invasive medical procedure. Traumas can also be developmental, created over years of neglect and/or abuse. Trauma symptoms present on a wide spectrum, and can include eating and sleep issues, hyper-vigilance, disassociation, anxiety, depression, difficulties with concentration and isolation to name a few. Following a trauma, some individuals develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) characterized by experiencing flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and changes in mood.
Therapy provides a chance to revisit the hurt in a safe, healthy manner. You get to explore and understand what happened and begin to set things straight again, all at your own pace. Your mind and body get a chance to work through what happened, pick up the pieces, and prepare for the life ahead.You can learn better ways of coping with life’s stressors, develop new perspectives (about yourself and about the trauma), and rebuild your sense of normalcy.
Therapy for trauma can help you:
• Accept your emotions and learn how to cope
• Reconnect with your body and be present
• Rebuild relationships and feelings of trust
• Learn relaxation techniques and improve sleep
• Manage flashbacks and nightmares
• Feel confident and self-aware
• Move forward from the past and grow
At NPC your trauma-informed therapist will create a safe healing-place to support you in learning the practical tools you need to find your way through difficult feelings and situations while allowing you to resolve painful experiences allowing for healthier and happier relationships.
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