Trauma.

Trauma is the emotional response we have to a deeply distressing event or occurrence. Trauma causes us to be unable to cope with and process and event. A traumatic event can be anything that threatens our physical, emotional, or sexual safety and/or security. Examples of traumatic incidences may include physical or sexual abuse and neglect, direct threats, natural disasters, accidents, exposure or witnessing domestic or community violence, war, extreme bullying, divorce, or death. Some of us can then develop Post Traumatic Stress symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, or sleep issues. Traumatic experiences are stored in our brains and can often be triggered, causing us to experience negative symptoms. We often must work through our trauma in order to decrease triggering and symptoms. There are many ways you can address trauma in therapy. We can often use narrative therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques. Another way I have been trained to address specific trauma is through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, if I find it appropriate for the client.