Therapy for Trauma

Trauma and How It Shapes Our Lives

Many people seek therapy because of the impact of trauma or abuse, whether recent or long ago. Trauma can take many forms—childhood neglect, abuse, assault, or other deeply distressing experiences—and often leaves patterns that continue to shape how we feel, think, and relate in adulthood.

In therapy we explore how these experiences may have influenced your ways of coping, relating to others, and managing intense emotions. Symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance, anxiety, low mood, or difficulty trusting others often reflect meaningful attempts to protect yourself from further harm. While these strategies may have helped in the past, they can sometimes feel limiting or exhausting in the present.

Understanding Complex Trauma

Complex trauma refers to repeated or prolonged exposure to stressful experiences, often in relationships that should feel safe. These experiences can make it difficult to trust others, regulate emotions, or maintain a steady sense of self. People may feel constantly on edge, numb, or overwhelmed by everyday situations.

Trauma can also affect how we navigate relationships. You might notice patterns of withdrawal, over-accommodation, or difficulty asserting yourself. If this resonates, you may find it helpful to explore my Relationships page to better understand how trauma shapes relational patterns and ways of connecting.

Grief is another area where trauma can surface. Loss—whether of a person, relationship, or a sense of safety—can bring up deep sadness, longing, or confusion. For guidance on navigating these experiences, see my Grief page.

Coping Patterns: Emotional Overdrive

Many people respond to trauma in ways that feel automatic or unconscious. Some cope by staying extremely busy, overachieving, or relying on strict routines. Some stay in emotional overdrive, keeping busy or over-productive to avoid low mood or hard feelings. Over time, these patterns may feel like survival, but they can also mask underlying emotional pain and make it harder to connect with what is truly being felt.

Other coping strategies may include withdrawal, perfectionism, or self-criticism—behaviors that once offered safety but now can feel limiting. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward understanding and shifting them.

What Therapy Offers

Therapy provides a space to safely explore these patterns, process painful experiences, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and others. Over time, this approach can increase emotional flexibility, resilience, and the capacity for connection. Difficult memories and feelings are not avoided—they are understood and integrated, making room for growth, safety, and meaningful change.

Working together, we can help you slow down, feel more grounded, and move beyond survival strategies like emotional overdrive toward a fuller, more connected life.

More About Trauma and PTSD

Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that can shatter basic assumptions such as “the world is safe,” “people are good,” or “I am in control.” Traumatic experiences may be one-time events or ongoing situations that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. Often, trauma involves a real or perceived threat to life, bodily integrity, or emotional well-being.

It’s important to remember that trauma is personal: two people may experience the same event very differently. What matters is not the “objective facts,” but your experience and how it has affected you.

mental health symptoms as a result of trauma

• Trouble Thinking Clearly and Communicating

• Difficulty Maintaining Healthy Boundaries

• Body/Physical Issues or Sexual Challenges

• Repeated Dangerous Patterns of Behavior

• Difficulty with Trust

• Social Alienation

• Low Self-Esteem

• Difficulty Managing Feelings

• Substance Abuse

Resources on Trauma and Abuse

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

Child Trauma Academy 

The National Institute on Trauma - coping with traumatic events 

The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute