Trauma

Natural Disasters. Violence. Sexual Abuse. Domestic Violence. Rape. Neglect. Emotional Abuse. Death and Loss. Bullying. Accidents. School Violence. At times it is hard to escape the negativity and heaviness of all that we are exposed to and what some may experience.

Traumatic events or experiences are often jarring and unexpected. It can disrupt our world view, our security and safety in relationships, and make daily life challenging. Trauma can have lost lasting negative effects on emotional and psychological health and wellness.

Some people will say the event that experienced wasn’t “big enough” to be traumatic. Mistakenly, many people think of events like war to be the only times when the word trauma applies.

Psychology Today (Hyperlink this to https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/samantha-tomer-wayne-pa/708082 ) defines trauma as, “the experience of severe psychological distress following any terrible or life-threatening event.” A keyword here is terrible. 

How do you define terrible?

Is your definition of terrible the same as your partners?
As your neighbor’s?
As your classmate’s?

Probably not. Each individual’s perception, reaction, or response may vary when they have experienced a traumatic event.

All responses are valid. No one gets to decide how you feel.

Therapy can support anyone who has experienced trauma, no matter how bigger or how small you think it may be. Therapy can help you: 

Develop New Coping Skills
Limit Negative Thoughts
Sleep Better
Put Feelings Into Words
Gain Control Over Your Life
Decrease Anxiety
Limit Depression
Improve Relationships

The effects of trauma do not have to last a lifetime. We are here to help.