When people hear the word “trauma” they often think of having experienced an earthquake, motor-vehicle accident, sexual assault, or other sudden or violent disruption, but trauma symptoms can also be elicited by a series of occurrences perceived as life-threatening, harmful to oneself or a loved one, that occur over a period of time and cause feelings of overwhelm, and helplessness, that has a profound impact on the body, mind, and behavior.
Types of Trauma
- Medical trauma
- Traumatic grief
- Childhood neglect and/or abandonment
- Intimate partner violence and/or psychological abuse
- Family trauma
Common symptoms from exposure to trauma include:
- Hypervigilance or overly aware of one’s surroundings
- Being easily startled
- Being easily activated by triggers that remind you of trauma or threat
- A small window of tolerance
- Difficulty controlling your emotions
- Avoiding things that remind you of the traumatic event or people/person
- Intrusive thoughts, Nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping
- Chronic pain
Trauma-informed therapy is a therapeutic approach that recognizes and understands the pervasive nature and impact of trauma (Evans & Coccoma, 2014). It emphasizes the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of the client and helps survivors rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.
The goals of trauma-informed therapy are to address the symptoms and behaviors resulting from trauma and empower individuals with the skills and understanding necessary for long-term healing and resilience (Black et al., 2012). Crucial principles of trauma-informed therapy include focusing on safety, empowerment and choice, collaboration and coordination, and avoiding re-traumatization.