What is trauma?

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting effects on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It can arise from a variety of situations, leading to a range of responses and symptoms.

Types of trauma:

• Big T Trauma refers to significant, often life-threatening events that can lead to severe psychological distress. Examples include natural disasters, serious accidents, military combat, sexual assault, or the sudden loss of a loved one. These experiences often result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can manifest as flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event.

• Little t Trauma, on the other hand, encompasses less extreme but still impactful experiences that can contribute to emotional pain and suffering. These might include bullying, the divorce of parents, or chronic neglect. While they may not seem as severe as big T traumas, little t traumas can accumulate over time, leading to significant emotional difficulties and affecting one’s self-esteem and relational patterns.

• Complex Trauma refers to the prolonged and repeated exposure to traumatic events, often occurring in a context where an individual feels trapped or without a clear means of escape. This form of trauma typically arises from consistent abuse, neglect, or violence during formative years, significantly affecting emotional and psychological development. Individuals with complex trauma may experience a range of symptoms, including difficulties in emotional regulation, relationship challenges, and issues related to self-identity. The impact of complex trauma can be profound and enduring, necessitating specialized therapeutic interventions to support healing and recovery. Individuals who experience complex trauma may struggle with emotional regulation, self-identity, and forming healthy relationships, as their experiences can deeply affect their ability to trust and feel safe. Understanding and addressing complex trauma is crucial in helping individuals regain a sense of safety, connection, and empowerment in their lives.

• Intergenerational trauma Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of the effects of trauma from one generation to the next. This phenomenon can occur when individuals experience significant emotional or psychological distress due to historical events, such as war, genocide, or systemic oppression. Such trauma can alter family dynamics, parenting styles, and coping mechanisms, often leading to mental health challenges in subsequent generations.

  Understanding intergenerational trauma is crucial for healing, as it highlights the importance of addressing not only individual experiences but also the broader historical and cultural contexts that shape families. By fostering awareness and promoting open dialogue, individuals can begin to break the cycle of trauma and create pathways toward resilience and recovery.

What is dissociation? Dissociation is a psychological phenomenon where individuals disconnect from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity. It often arises in response to trauma or extreme stress, serving as a coping mechanism to help individuals manage overwhelming emotions or experiences. While dissociation can manifest in various ways, such as memory gaps, feelings of unreality, or a blurred sense of self, it can disrupt daily functioning and relationships if persistent. Understanding dissociation is essential for those experiencing it, as well as for therapists and support systems, to foster healing and integration of fragmented experiences.

Our Approach

Our therapeutic approach combines several evidence-based modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE). (EMDR) directly targets distressing memories, allowing individuals to process trauma in a safer environment and facilitating the integration of traumatic experiences, helping clients to achieve a sense of resolution.

Somatic Experiencing emphasizes the connection between mind and body, recognizing that trauma often resides physically as well as psychologically.

Internal family systems guides individuals in identifying and understanding the various "parts" of their internal psyche, allowing them to access and heal wounded or protective parts with self-compassion and insight. This approach helps individuals address the underlying sources of emotional distress and facilitates a greater sense of inner harmony and resilience.

TRE Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) offer a dynamic and somatic approach to processing trauma by tapping into the body's natural tremor mechanism, which helps release deep-seated tension and stress. Developed as a series of simple, physical movements, TRE encourages the body to involuntarily shake and discharge muscular contractions, promoting relaxation and restoring a sense of balance.

By engaging the body’s innate ability to release stored trauma, individuals can experience relief from symptoms of anxiety, tension, and emotional distress, leading to improved overall wellbeing and resilience.

The application and integration of these various therapies addresses the body’s response to trauma, facilitating a deeper understanding of your experiences and fostering integration and healing.

To address these challenges effectively, combining different therapeutic modalities can create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Integrating these modalities can provide a holistic approach to trauma treatment. For instance, a client may engage in EMDR to address specific traumatic memories, meanwhile, incorporating somatic techniques can help the client connect emotionally and physically to their healing process.

The combination of these approaches ensures that treatment is multifaceted, addressing not only cognitive and emotional aspects of trauma but also somatic experiences. This holistic treatment fosters resilience and promotes a greater sense of well-being in individuals as they navigate their healing journey.

Together, we will work to explore your unique journey, identify the root causes of your dissociation, and develop personalized strategies to reclaim your sense of self and agency.