“The only way that we can live is if we grow. The only way we can grow is if we change. The only way we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we are exposed is if we throw ourselves into the open.”
– C. Joybell
Trauma is so much more than just a shock to the system. There are all sorts of ways we can be traumatized, and innumerable ways that this trauma can manifest. Generally speaking, we can define trauma as a reaction to any event that is overwhelming to some aspect of the psyche, and carries negative feeling as a result. That could mean things like physical abuse, or a car accident – but it can also mean an experience of abandonment as a child, a moment of fear with no obvious context, or a series of repeated unpleasant events that leave an indelible mark in a person’s character. Two people could be in the same situation and one of them could walk away traumatized, and the other might not. It always depends on how the mind interprets the event.
That is the only measure. And there is beauty in that too. The problem with traumatic events is that they imprint a person with skewed negative ideas of the world, like forcing scratched sunglasses onto someone. So even when they leave the moment, they still can’t see properly. But these sunglasses are not just on the eyes – trauma is memory and idea and emotion that is stored in your cells, in the “back of the brain” we often say, in the places that we can’t access consciously.
Fortunately, advancements in neuroscience and modern therapies now give us very, very effective ways of helping your body and mind to unlock and process events which were never before accessible.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma affects the mind, body, and emotions. Generally, there are two main types of trauma:
- Large ‘T’ Trauma
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (single event)
- Complex
- Small ‘t’ Trauma
- Attachment or Developmental Trauma
- Ego threat/ life shocks
The first instance is much easier to notice and is usually much louder in its feelings. However, the small ‘t’ trauma is more insidious and thus far in psychotherapy, is typically overlooked.
Possible Symptoms of Trauma can include:
- Anxiety / Panic
- Depression
- Physical health symptoms
- Emotional volatility / disregulation
- Shame/ guilt/ self-esteem issues
- Sleep dysfunction/ Nightmares
- Intrusive imagery
- Repetition of feeling/ experiences (flashbacks)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dissociation
- Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, even this long list is only partial. Almost any psychological symptom could be rooted in trauma. Some would say, everything does. In fact, it is a useful way to look at mental health to see ALL of our neuroses as symptoms from small or large forms of trauma. If a therapist does not have some way of dealing with trauma, then that therapist is severely limited in what they can treat, and how far they can go in a person’s healing.
Trauma Therapy Approaches
The main therapies that deal with trauma are:
- EMDR (Eye-movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Using bilateral stimulation of the brain, overwhelming and information stored during traumatic events can be accessed and re-organized by new neural systems in the conscious mind, thereby allowing previously abrasive psychological material to be healthily relegated to memory and its emotional content dispersed. - IFS (Internal Family Systems)
As this model considers the psyche as composed as functional parts, trauma is more easily traced via protective elements of the personality. Following this model, trauma is held as wounded parts of self, and these wounds can be permanently healed. IFS is incredible as it is a unique approach to hidden trauma and attachment/ relational hurts that otherwise are very hard to see and work with. - CBT (Cognitive –Behavioural Therapy)
One of the most popular therapies used by counselors today, CBT challenges our unhelpful thought patterns, helping to reframe beliefs and events and shift our life narratives, which often keep us locked in stress and suffering. With psychological trauma, CBT helps to process and evaluate thoughts and feelings about the event or situation. This treatment is often paired with other physiological therapies such as Somatic Experiencing to ensure all elements of the trauma are addressed. - Somatic Experiencing
This technique utilises the body’s unique ability to heal itself by focusing on bodily sensations as opposed to thoughts and memories. The therapy looks at what’s happening in the body by getting in touch with trauma-related tension. At this point, natural survival instincts take over and the participant releases pent-up energy by crying, shaking and other physical reactions.
Healing from trauma – whether the big or small ‘T’ – is more and more possible every day. And it is incredibly exciting to work with and watch transform. We all have an inherent healing tendency in our selves, and all of us at Wise Path Counselling are trained in different modes of trauma therapy so that we can help you heal from the past and move your life forward in creative new ways that never looked possible before.
Who Can Benefit From Trauma Counselling?
Trauma therapy can help anyone who has experienced:
- Abuse or violence
- Accidents or natural disasters
- Emotional neglect or unsafe environments
- Loss or sudden life changes
- Combat or caregiving stress
- Repeated stressful events or complex trauma
Even those indirectly affected by trauma, such as family members or caregivers, can benefit from counselling.
At Wise Path Counselling, our trauma counselling in Hamilton offers a safe, supportive space to process both large and small traumas, helping you heal deeply and move forward with resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Types of Capitol ‘T’ Trauma: https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence/types
Trauma and Violence: https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence
PTSD page: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
PTSD Canada: http://www.ptsdassociation.com/
Short Video about attachment trauma from one of its experts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB51V3fAAvs
EMDR therapy overview: https://emdria.site-ym.com/page/emdr_therapy
Trauma general info: https://www.cpa.ca/aboutcpa/cpasections/traumaticstress/traumaticstressbasicinformation
