What exactly denotes Trauma? Trauma is a current buzz word but do we really understand what Trauma is? Although many definitions would agree that trauma is both a psychological and emotional response to an event or series of events that, from the individual’s experience, are highly distressing. Frequently, these event(s) are overwhelming enough to cause feelings of helplessness, inability to cope, negatively affect relationships, and/or cause deep feelings of inadequacy. Professionals have categorized trauma into four types.
- Acute Trauma- often a single event like an assault or accident.
- Chronic Trauma- this is repeated and prolonged exposure to abuse, feelings of not being safe or secure, even living in neglect.
- Complex Trauma- also known as C-PTSD which is exposure to several traumatic events over a period of time. (most frequently in childhood or war)
- Secondary (vicarious) Trauma- this one is often overlooked or minimized. Caregivers or therapists who listen to others traumatic experiences can be carried in their bodies.
Dr Peter Levine, in his book Waking The Tiger, has discovered in his research, there are many events in our lives that later in life can experience a trauma response later in life. Examples are:
- Fetal trauma
- Birth trauma
- Loss of a parent
- Illness, high fevers, accidental poisoning
- Physical injuries.
- Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
- Witnessing violence.
- Natural disasters.
- Certain medical and dental procedures
- Surgery- particularly tonsillectomies, operations for ear or “lazy eye” correction
- Anesthesia
- Prolonged immobilization
Add 9-11, COVID, uncertainty with the economy or with the government, increased violence on the streets, hurricanes, flooding, tornados, school shootings… the list goes on.
At Collaborative Counseling, we are trained in EMDR and also BrainSpotting to help those who suffer from the consequences of trauma to help process and alleviate the residual side-effects of trauma. Buffy Wimmer has seen hundreds of men and women healed and set free from the grip of trauma. As one client announced after his first BrainSpotting sessions, “ My trauma doesn’t hold me anymore!!!!”
If you are just now becoming aware of your trauma, please contact us for an appointment today.