Trauma

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With trauma being defined as ‘a distressing or disturbing experience’ it can be understood that just as there is no clear cut answer for what does or doesn’t fit into that mold, there is no cookie cutter approach that works with treating trauma.  Once it has been identified that trauma work needs to occur, a trauma-focused CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) approach is used to guide you through that work.  While that work is similar in kids and adults there are very different ways to process trauma with a child versus an adult.

Trauma can effect your whole self:

Physically

•Our body stores trauma in a way that it can very much create an actual physical response to what has happened.  This can be fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, lack of concentration, other unexplained aches and pains, gastrological issues, changes in appetite, weight gain or weight loss and much more.

Mentally/
​Emotionally

• Our brains and hearts store trauma which can cause feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, anger, betrayal, hopelessness, worthlessness and shame.  It can cause one to feel disconnected, can make it hard to recognize and regulate emotions and cause one to feel like they're just not who they used to be prior to the trauma.

Socially

• When trauma occurs, it can cause one to avoid certain people, places or things that remind of the trauma.  Sometimes, because of the feelings that accompany trauma, one may isolate, withdraw or detach from others.  One can lose enjoyment in things once loved and may feel a sense of loneliness.

Spiritually

• As one tries to make sense of the trauma, there can be some spiritual effects such as anger or a disconnect from a higher power.  Questions of "Why me?" "What did I do to deserve this trial?" and "Where were You?" may arise among others.  One may feel numb to any spiritual connection.