Trauma-Informed Therapy: Why it is important and what you need to know about it.

As I grow as a psychotherapist in private practice, I develop more and more into a Trauma-Informed Therapist. Training in EMDR almost 10 years ago was just a beginning of a trauma informed journey. I absolutely love using EMDR to help people with their difficulties and I do believe traumatic experiences shape us more that we know. This is why we are going to explore this topic. It might help you decide to start your therapy and look for a Trauma Informed Therapist.

What is Trauma and Trauma-Informed Therapy?

Let’s start with understanding what trauma is. The word “trauma” can imply a big, life changing event, where your life is at risk (usually a life-death situation e.g. abuse, war, or natural disasters). And yes, that’s the Big “T” Trauma, as we would call it, that tends to be scary, overwhelming and potentially complex. Although, trauma is not limited to major catastrophic events. There are also many small “t” trauma situations, that are emotional, threatening and can be life changing as well (e.g. emotional neglect, bullying, loss, medical procedures, etc.). Either trauma or Trauma, whether you are aware of them or not, those past experiences can shape your emotions, relationships and a sense of self, in the here and now. Trauma- Informed Therapy is basically an approach that understands how any trauma (whether obvious or hidden) can affect your nervous system, your thoughts, behaviours and how you’re functioning on a day-to-day basis.

How trauma might be affecting you?

Research shows that a significant portion of the population has experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Trauma leaves a mark on your nervous system, often changing how you see yourself, your relationships, and your perception of safety. It can manifest in a variety of ways: anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, difficulty trusting others, dissociation, and chronic health conditions. Unresolved trauma can manifest in many ways, even years and decades later.

Other symptoms might include:

- Hypervigilance, panic or chronic stress  

- Sleep disturbances or nightmares  

- Difficulty with trust or closeness  

- Feelings of shame or low self-worth  

- Emotional numbness or overwhelm

What is the difference with the Trauma-Informed therapy and what to expect?

Trauma-informed therapy as an approach tends to focus on creating emotional safety when working with your therapist. It starts with building trust, giving you information and allows you to choose different options in your therapeutic process. Then we gently look at your past to figure out what happened to you and how can we support your healing. It is more about your lived experience, your individual situation, your goals and needs. We will not treat surface symptoms. We will look into the impact of trauma on your life as well. Trauma-informed therapy is a philosophy of care that sees clients not as broken or difficult, but as survivors doing their best to cope with wounds that were never meant to be carried alone. It’s about healing through compassion, choice, and collaboration. It gives you a space to feel safe, connected, and empowered to heal.

In my practice you can expect the following:

·       I always try to do things at your own pace. I honour your feelings. I don’t rush them. We do things step by step, when you’re ready.

·       I use grounding techniques to help you learn to regulate your emotions and to stay present and self-care ideas so you can look after yourself more.

·       Empathy, care and compassion. I try to be kind in my approach. I validate and normalise your experiences. Your symptoms are a normal reaction to abnormal situation in the past.

·       I do focus on your strengths as well. Remember you are resilient and worthy of healing. You are not your trauma. You are not your memories. You can allow yourself to get better.

·       I offer collaborative approach. I like working as a team with my clients. I try to be gentle to make sure you can connect to yourself and allow yourself to move on from the past.

·       I am here to help you. I will walk alongside of you and support you on your healing journey. I understand there is a need in your therapeutic process to respects sensitivity and offer safety.

How can it help?

The aim of trauma- informed practice is to make you feel safe, so it is easier to open up and engage in a meaningful process and explore difficult emotions. The therapist actively works to create a nonjudgmental, supportive space that promotes healing at the client’s pace. It acknowledges client’s strengths and resilience, and it encourages empowerment and autonomy. Trauma-informed care understands that trauma can affect every part of a person’s life, and it sees the client as a whole person not just a list of symptoms to fix. It means it incorporates techniques like mindfulness, body-based practices and self-care to help regulate and heal the nervous system and help you, you mind, your body, your life.

Is Trauma-Informed Therapy right for you?

Whether you are looking to address a specific memory of a specific event, or a group of memories you deserve an approach that will support your healing. An approach that will be grounded and empowering. You don’t need a formal diagnosis of PTSD to benefit from this approach. It will be about you, tailored to your needs and specific to your experience. If you are stuck in the past, in old patterns, reliving your memories, trauma informed approach might be a supportive path forward. If you are looking for a gentle but effective support, then this is exactly what you need. Trauma-informed therapy means we gently look into the past to process it and let go, so you can function better in the here and now and look forward to a happier future.

Interested in trying?

If you think this would be helpful for you, feel free to book an Assessment Session with me or get in touch to explore how we can work together. I’m looking forward to working with you in a trauma-informed way. It’s a great approach, that creates a safe space for you to explore your past and events that are still affecting you. This approach will give you a better understanding of the role your experiences played in your emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. I hope you will feel seen, heard, and safe in my presence. You deserve to help yourself create a better quality of life. If this resonates with you, try it! Start your healing journey today!