Trauma: What is it and how can we heal?
Understanding Psychological Trauma: A Path to Healing
Psychological trauma can feel like an invisible bruise on the soul — the kind that lingers long after the wound. Whether it stems from early childhood experiences or more recent, acute events, trauma is not “all in your head.” It’s in your nervous system, your memory, and your way of relating to the world. And it is treatable!
​​What is Trauma?
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At its core, trauma is the emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It might stem from one-off incidents like accidents or natural disasters, or ongoing experiences such as childhood neglect, abuse, or emotional invalidation.
Think of your brain like a smoke detector. Most of the time, it alerts you to real danger — a fire in the kitchen, for example. But after trauma, that smoke detector becomes hypersensitive. It might go off at the mere hint of toast burning, even when there’s no real threat. This is how trauma can leave us feeling constantly on edge, fearful, or emotionally “numb.”
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Historical and Childhood Trauma
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Childhood trauma — sometimes called developmental or complex trauma — often involves repeated experiences over time: a chaotic home, a caregiver who couldn't attune to emotional needs, or even medical trauma. These early experiences shape how we see ourselves and others. For example, someone who never felt safe as a child might carry a deep-rooted belief into adulthood that “the world isn’t safe,” or “I don’t matter.”
These beliefs aren’t character flaws — they’re survival strategies. Your younger self did the best it could with what was available.
​Recent or Acute Trauma
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Trauma can also arise in adulthood — from a single shocking event like a car crash or violent incident, or from being exposed to ongoing stress such as workplace bullying or intimate partner violence. While the causes may differ, the psychological and emotional aftermath can look remarkably similar.
How Therapy Can Help
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Healing begins with understanding that trauma is not a life sentence. Here are a few evidence-based therapies commonly used in trauma treatment:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns. It’s like learning to challenge the inner critic or reframe a fear response so that your mind regains control over your narrative.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches you to make room for painful thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them. Instead of fighting a tide, you learn to surf the waves — riding the discomfort with compassion and staying aligned with what really matters to you.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) uses guided imagery and eye movements to change how distressing memories are stored in the brain. The memory isn’t erased, but its emotional intensity is often significantly reduced.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps the brain process traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. It’s a way to help the mind unstick itself — like clearing traffic on a jammed highway so thoughts and emotions can flow freely again.​
You’re not broken. Your reactions are normal responses to abnormal events.
With the right support, healing is not just possible — it’s probable.
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