About Trauma
Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar at first. We’re here to create a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported through the process.
Trauma Takes Many Forms
Although the pain of trauma can be overwhelming and isolating, you are not alone or weak for what you are going through. Many people experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, sometimes without realizing it until years or even decades later. It’s possible to forget or bury a traumatic experience until something else—such as a period of high stress, conflict in a relationship or even a particular smell associated with what happened—triggers all those feelings of fear and pain.
Do I have to experience “major trauma” for therapy to help?
Trauma can result from any life-threatening or deeply distressing event, such as a car accident, assault, invasive surgery, natural disaster or death of a loved one or pet. Sometimes, people experience ongoing abuse, neglect or exposure to violence. And, it’s important to note that “smaller” or more common situations, including bullying, the loss of a job, conflict in your social group or the end of a relationship, can also profoundly impact your wellbeing.
Thankfully, no matter what happened or how it is affecting you today, our integrative evidence-based care, focuses on the whole person rather than just the ‘trauma’.
W Integrative is trauma-informed and trained to be aware and sensitive to the complex issues and needs of clients whom have experienced trauma in all its forms. In order to deal with the impact of trauma, special care must be taken. The person’s sense of safety is foremost, with the ability to regulate emotions and be comfortable in their body key. Resource building tools are established and the person is never asked to disclose anything they do not wish to. Details are not important; rather, desensitizing or lessening the intense emotions and making sense of the often fragmented events are the goals.
What if I feel like I’m overreacting?
The reactions alone to the trauma can be problematic, contributing to an artificial benchmark for how we think we ought to be reacting. Understand that there is no correct way of reacting to trauma as we are all very different with unique personal histories. Some would argue trauma is a relative term because a trauma for one may not be for another. It is a very complex and researched area as to why some can walk away unaffected while others suffer. For this reason, those who have been traumatized often add to their own suffering by their self-critical attitude towards how they feel they ought to be coping.
What if I feel like I should be handling this better?
Negative self-appraisal refers to how one assesses self in a negative self-demeaning way in the face of and how they react to trauma. Shame is often accompanied after trauma for not handling oneself or for the lack of control over the emerging symptoms. If you are suffering as a result of your trauma, may it be said at this point - you are no less human than those who return to their lives shortly after the event and who appear unscathed. Comparing and contrasting coping styles adds a type of pressure to one's post-trauma performance. It is important to try and not compare at this time. This is a time to be kind to yourself and to find new ways of self-soothing. There are reasons for reacting to your experience the way you do.
Will I have to talk about my trauma right away?
Those suffering from trauma-related symptoms such as re-experiencing, hyper-arousal, avoidance/numbness may find the thought of talking about the traumatic experience overwhelming. That is understandable, and it is important to discover a safe, supportive and comfortable space to look at the trauma New Aniibiish Counselling works to create the right space for you to feel comfortable before any sharing around the trauma takes place. With over ten years’ experience working with various forms of trauma and appreciate the importance of feeling safe, protected, and in control.
Self-Help Resources for dealing with Trauma
We have provided you some emotional and psychological trauma coping tips.
Trauma Self-Help Strategy 1: Don’t Isolate
Following a trauma, you may want to withdraw from others, but isolation makes things worse. Connecting to others will help you heal, so make an effort to maintain your relationships and avoid spending too much time alone.
Ask for support. It’s important to talk about your feelings and ask for the help you need. Turn to a trusted family member, friend, or support.
Participate in social activities, even if you don’t feel like it. Do normal things with other people, things that have nothing to do with the traumatic experience. If you’ve retreated from relationships that were once important to you, make an effort to reconnect.
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Volunteering, as well as helping others, can be a great way to challenge the sense of helplessness that often accompanies trauma. Remind yourself of your strengths and reclaim your sense of power by comforting or helping others.
The Impact Of Unresolved Trauma
We've shared a few informational videos below to help explain the impacts of unresolved trauma.