What is Trauma?: It’s not what you think

Written By Heather McPherson
 

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.” -Peter A. Levine-

 
 
 

While we tend to think of an event as being the cause of trauma, trauma is actually a process over time. It is the lasting emotional (or physical) response that often results from living through a distressing event. These events may have been one-off or may have happened over a prolonged period of time (ie., accidents, childhood adverse events, violence/abuse, loss of a loved-one or illness).

3 Types of Trauma Include:

  • Acute - This is a single or one-off event

  • Chronic - The event(s) are repeated or prolonged

  • Complex - Exposure to multiple or varied adverse events; invasive; interpersonal

Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person's sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Emotionally painful and often distressing events can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, especially when dealing with other stressful factors in their day-to-day life. This often leaves them feeling powerless.

Trauma is subjective - Everyone experiences trauma differently…even if people have gone through the same thing.

What Unhealed Trauma May Look Like:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Anger

  • Shame & Self-Blame

  • Addiction

  • Chronic Illnesses

  • Personality Disorders

  • PTSD

  • Sleep Issues

Other - Limiting patterns affecting ability to thrive

Can I Heal From Trauma?

“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”

-Tony Robbins-

There is hope…You can heal from trauma. It is up to each individual to play an active role in their own healing journey. Finding the right therapists, therapies and support network that works for you, is key in the healing process.

11 Helpful Tips for Your Trauma Healing Journey:

  • Seek & Accept Support - Counselling/Psychology; Holistic/Trauma-Healing Modalities; Friends & Family

  • Acknowledge the Trauma

  • Create Daily Routines

  • Practice Mindfulness & Meditation

  • Exercise

  • Self Care

  • Practice Patience

  • Journal

  • Do What Brings Joy

  • Creative Activities

  • Read Self-Help Books or Listen to Podcasts

NEED HELP?  Check out some of the links out below.

https://www.ruok.org.au/what-were-about

R U OK? Is a public health promotion charity (Australia) that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.

<Click the FIND HELP button for HOTLINES to SEEK SUPPORT>

https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/

https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/

The Centre For Healing is an Approved (Online) Training Provider helping coaches, healers, therapists & everyday people turn trauma into triumph through their Certified Practitioner Training & Educational courses. You’ll also find useful Blogs, a Practitioner Directory & Short courses that will help support and get you started on your healing journey.

I personally have fallen in love with The Centre for Healing and their Root Cause Therapy training & Families of Addiction and Alcohol course.

If you are interested in finding out more and joining the supportive community with me to learn about trauma and how to heal, then click the link below;

My code will get you 10% off!

HEATHER

Root Cause Therapy Training

https://www.thecentreforhealing.com/a/2147498639/or2vL4yr

To read about how Root Cause Therapy & Equine Assisted Learning can help you on your healing journey go to my Services pages…

Reach out if you have any questions or comments.

Heather McPherson