What is trauma? Trauma is an emotional, physical, mental and perhaps spiritual response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, natural disaster, childhood abuse, or sudden medical issue. It can also develop from a move, job change, break-up, financial worries, or interpersonal conflict.

​Trauma can leave a disturbing imprint caused by unprocessed experience that impacts daily life. This may include shock, denial, disconnection from the body, unpredictable emotions, avoidance, flashbacks, strained relationships, and physical symptoms as well. There are both immediate and longer term reactions to trauma with consequences that may be addressed through psychotherapy.

Here are some signs you may have lasting effects from a traumatic experience:

• Intrusive thoughts of the event
• Easily startled
• Visual images of the event
• Loss of memory and concentration abilities
• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Avoidance of activities or places that trigger memories of the event
• Social isolation and withdrawal
• Lack of interest in previously-enjoyable activities​​
• Numbing of emotions or sensations

• ​Tremendous fatigue and exhaustion
• Tachycardia
• Edginess
• Insomnia
• ​Nightmares
• Chronic muscle patterns
• Sexual dysfunction
• Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
• Vague complaints of aches and pains throughout the body
• Aways on the lookout for warnings of potential danger
• Overwhelming fear​

• Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
• Detachment from other people and emotions​
• Depression
• Guilt – especially if one lived while others perished
• Shame
• Emotional shock
• Disbelief
• Irritability
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• ​Feeling numb in your body

​Learning to manage reactions, feel what's happening emotionally or in the body, and self awareness are all helpful tools for trauma recovery. One of the trauma-informed approaches I offer is EMDR Therapy which is an evidence based modality used to treat the symptoms of trauma. This method provides a means to help you process trauma through your nervous system and heal, while also developing a greater capacity to notice the present moment, unwind disturbance and improve lingering symptoms. ​I also offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) as another evidence based modality to manage and heal from trauma. In my approach, collaborating and actively avoiding re-traumatization are of the utmost importance. Although not easy, it is possible to heal from the traumatic experiences in your life. ​

 

Feel it. The thing you don't want to feel. Feel it. And be free. -Nayyirah Waheed.