Trauma And PTSD | Auralist Therapy

What is trauma?

Trauma is like a storm that hits and leaves a mess behind. It could be a specific event (like an accident or abuse) or a series of events (like prolonged stress or neglect) that overwhelms your ability to cope. It shakes your sense of safety, leaving you emotionally and physically shaken, and affecting how you think, feel, and act—sometimes in ways you don’t even realize.

Trauma doesn’t always show up as something obvious. It might not always look like you imagine it, but it can affect everything from your relationships to how you handle stress and your own sense of self-worth. It can leave lasting emotional and physical scars, affecting how you experience the world. Whether from a single event or prolonged exposure to stress, therapy provides a supportive environment to process and heal these wounds, allowing you to reclaim control over your life.

How Trauma Can Echo Through Daily Life:

Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks: Sudden and overwhelming memories of the traumatic event that feel all-consuming.

Avoidance: Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the trauma, often without knowing why.

Hyperarousal or heightened anxiety: Living in a constant state of alertness, expecting something bad to happen at any moment.

Difficulty trusting others: Trauma can erode your sense of safety, making it hard to trust anyone, even those close to you.

Emotional numbness: Sometimes, you may feel disconnected from your emotions, almost as if you’re “shut off” to protect yourself.

Mood instability: Trauma can leave you feeling all over the place emotionally—like one minute you’re fine, and the next, everything is overwhelming.

Guilt or shame: Feeling like it’s somehow your fault or that you could have done something differently.

When Trauma Lingers—The Impact Over Time:

Chronic anxiety and depression: Trauma can fuel persistent feelings of sadness and anxiety, often resulting in long-term mental health struggles.

Emotional shutdown: Over time, unaddressed trauma can cause you to become emotionally detached from both yourself and others.

Impaired self-esteem: You may start believing that you’re broken, unworthy, or that something is inherently wrong with you.

Self-destructive behaviors: You might use substances or risky behaviors to cope with unresolved trauma, further preventing healing.

Difficulty with relationships: The emotional effects of trauma can hinder your ability to connect with others, causing isolation or misunderstandings.

Physical health problems: Trauma doesn’t just affect your mind—it can show up in your body, too. You might experience headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, or sleep problems.

Healing The Wounds You Can’t Always See:

Understanding Trauma’s Effects: We’ll explore how trauma has shaped your life and uncover patterns that might be limiting you.

Reprocessing Unresolved Memories: We’ll help you reframe your trauma and make it less overwhelming. We don’t erase the past, but we can change how it affects your present.

Developing Coping Skills: You’ll learn practical techniques like grounding and relaxation to manage powerful emotions and automatic physical responses, helping you regain control of your mind and body.

Healing the Body-Mind Connection: Trauma isn’t just in your head; it affects your body too. We’ll explore how trauma shows up physically and integrate relaxation and body-focused strategies to release built-up tension.

Rebuilding Trust and Relationships: Therapy can help you reconnect with others, teaching you healthy boundaries and communication.

Creating a Path Forward: Healing doesn’t just mean letting go of the past. It’s about creating a future that feels empowered and whole. Therapy can help you rediscover what’s important to you and work toward the life you want.

Fears About Facing The Past In tTherapy:

Will I have to relive everything in therapy?

Absolutely not. The goal of therapy isn’t to force you to relive trauma, but to help you process and understand it in a safe, supportive way. We’ll go at your pace, and nothing will be explored before you feel ready. In fact, healing trauma doesn’t always require talking through every detail —there are many effective ways to work through it without retelling the story.

What if therapy just makes me feel worse?

It’s true—therapy can stir up discomfort, especially when facing trauma or painful emotions. That’s a normal part of the healing process. But you won’t go through it alone, and we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable. You’ll get the support and tools you need to work through the hard parts without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is healing, not retraumatizing.

How long will this take?

Each healing journey is unique. While some feel better after a few sessions, others may need months or years to work through their trauma. The important thing is taking the first step toward recovery.

Can I really heal from trauma?

Yes, healing is absolutely possible. Therapy won’t erase the past, but it can help you integrate those experiences into your life, freeing you from their control.

Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder