What is Trauma?
Trauma is often associated with harrowing events such as war or natural disasters. However, any distressing event falling beyond the scope of normal human experience can be considered traumatic. Trauma is not solely defined by the nature of the event itself; rather, it is contingent upon an individual’s response to it. What may be traumatic for one person may not have the same impact on the next. The complexity of trauma lies in its enduring effects—it extends beyond the initial occurrence and alters the structure of the brain. Once the brain undergoes changes and enters a constant state of fight, flight or freeze, maintaining focus, experiencing joy, or finding pleasure can become challenging until the trauma is healed.
Types of Trauma:
Childhood Trauma & Complex PTSD
Prolonged exposure to threat or instability. Relational trauma often ruptures the safety and security of our attachments, such as a caregiver who is frequently unresponsive, unpredictable, physically, verbally, or emotionally abusive, or neglectful. May also include persistent bullying by peers and other forms of shame, humiliation and abuse.
Single-Incident Trauma & PTSD
Related to distinct contexts or incidents of threat, such as sexual assault, combat, near-death experiences, domestic violence, or witnessing a traumatic death or suicide attempt. Can also include major life events such as the loss of a job or experiencing a major illness.
Collective Trauma
Traumatic events experienced by entire groups or societies, such as racism, pandemics, terrorism, natural disasters, financial crises, and war. Symptoms and lasting impacts are often experienced similarly across a population.
Intergenerational Trauma
Trauma that continues have effects across families and generations. In addition to symptoms naturally perpetuating the cycle of trauma through cause and effect, new research in epigenetics shows us that in many cases trauma can have effect on the next generation all the way down at the genetic level.
Common Trauma Symptoms:
While each person’s response to trauma can be different, symptoms may include:
- Fear & avoidance
- Low self-worth & self-esteem
- Emotional and nervous system dysregulation
- Inability to self-regulate and self-sooth
- Challenges in interpersonal relationships
- Withdrawal & isolation from others
- Difficulty trusting and opening up to others
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks & nightmares
- Insomnia & other sleep problems
- Chronic pain
- Dissociation and repressed memories
- Numbness and loss of interest
- Feelings of of powerlessness
How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
When you’re overwhelmed by the kind of stress, anxiety, or depression you’re experiencing, it’s hard to see beyond these things on your own. Trauma therapy can help you process them in a completely safe environment: one where you are understood, seen, and supported.
I specialize in helping adults learn to stop living in their past, improve their relationships, regain their confidence, and conquer their fear of the unknown. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner, trained in EMDR, talk therapy, and other evidence-based methods. We will work together to address and process trauma and the feelings associated with it. Much of our work will also be focused on your thought patterns, confronting negative self-talk and self-esteem. Because while you cannot control your circumstances, you can control the way you view them. And that is where true freedom comes from.
I understand that you may have never shared what you have experienced with anyone else, and that going to therapy does not suddenly mean you are ready to do that. I am here to offer a safe space where you can begin to open up and share at your own pace.
What are the benefits?
Through therapy, you can learn to:
Become more grounded in the present day, rather than the past
Enjoy healthier relationships, with better boundary-setting and communication
Manage feelings of anger and resentment in a healthy way
Feel more confident, in control, and hopeful for the future
Gain insight into yourself and your innate strengths
Process the impacts of your trauma and heal them at the source
Carl Jung
Certified Therapist
Jen Kaplan
EMDR Therapist
I have over 25 years of experience working with a range of mental and emotional challenge...
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