Therapy for Trauma and complex trauma

The roots of trauma are diverse and multifaceted, and a critical aspect of trauma therapy lies in unearthing and addressing the underlying cause. While many reactions stem from encountering a specific event, some individuals may develop symptoms due to childhood adversities.

Trauma in adulthood can arise from:

• Violence: Victims of violent acts, including sexual assault, robberies, and general violence, can develop lasting and detrimental symptoms.
• Racial Discrimination: Racial trauma can occur when an individual is subjected to verbal and physical attacks due to their skin colour or cultural background.
• Domestic Abuse: Abusive relationships can cause significant emotional distress, with symptoms often persisting even after the relationship ends.
  Medical Ordeals: Undergoing a stressful medical procedure or suffering from an illness can also trigger PTSD.
• Terrorism: Being a victim of a terrorist attack can lead to recurrent nightmares and ongoing anxiety.
  Natural Disasters: Wildfires, tornadoes, and other natural calamities often result in property losses and traumatic symptoms.
• Accidents: Trauma can arise from car accidents, workplace incidents, or other unforeseen accidents.

Childhood Trauma

As experienced counsellors specializing in childhood trauma recovery, we regularly treat individuals who have endured abuse or emotional adversities during their formative years. Regrettably, while some forms of trauma are immediate, the experiences witnessed in childhood can take years to manifest.

All children have fundamental needs, including love, safety, and protection. When caregivers fail to meet these needs, it can impact the child’s development, resulting in long-lasting effects.

If your child witnesses a traumatic event, seeking immediate help can reduce the risks of the experience carrying over into later life. Similarly, we also support adults grappling with the impact of their childhood traumas.

Emotional Neglect

Neglect is the most prevalent form of child abuse, but it is often not taken as seriously as sexual or physical abuse (Harvard). When a child’s emotional needs are unmet, met with avoidance or even overindulgence, they grow up without understanding how to manage their emotions effectively.

Consequently, adults struggle to process negative experiences and often suppress their emotions, creating a potentially volatile situation.

Sexual and Physical Abuse

Two of the most traumatic experiences any child can endure are physical and sexual abuse. Instead of growing up in a supportive environment, the child learns to live in fear and effectively walks on eggshells for years.

As they enter adolescence and adulthood, the impact of trauma can manifest in unhealthy relationships, unpredictable emotions, and harmful reactions to their unresolved abuse experiences.

Intergenerational Trauma

Children learn by example, and many of our clients seek help due to prolonged exposure to a parent or family member who has suffered trauma.

For instance, if a parent experiences severe abuse, they might become overly vigilant with their child or inadvertently pass on their behaviours, causing the trauma to manifest in the child later in life.

Other Experiences

We all react differently to circumstances, and children who have endured bullying, lost a parent, or dealt with the stress of relocating to a new area can develop symptoms of trauma. These effects might appear immediately or later in life.

It’s essential to remember that even though someone else experiences the same event, they might not develop traumatic symptoms. We all process things differently, and there’s no shame in acknowledging the need for support.”