About Trauma and Trauma Therapy

What is Trauma?

Trauma can be understood as a profound disruption in the cohesion, continuity, and stability of the self, arising when essential environmental responses fail to meet basic psychological needs. Trauma is not simply a reaction to a single shocking event, but can be the result of cumulative empathic failures by caregivers. These failures leave the individual feeling fragmented, unmirrored, helpless, and emotionally alone. An incident itself does not necessarily result in trauma, rather it is how the event is experienced in a relational context.

Key aspects of trauma include:

Deficient Self-Functioning: Trauma is seen as the outcome of chronic narcissistic injuries, such as insufficient mirroring or the absence of reliable, idealizable figures. Over time, these deficits can contribute to a fragmented sense of self and, in more severe cases, significant personality or psychological disturbances.

Empathic Failures: Central to this perspective is the caregiver’s inability to provide consistent emotional attunement and support, particularly during critical developmental periods.

Shame as a Central Feature: Trauma is closely linked to experiences of shame, including feelings of inadequacy, loss of agency, and the internalization of a “flawed” or defective self.

The “Shattered Self”: Traumatic experiences can result in a profound rupture in one’s sense of safety and coherence, with long-term effects on identity, self-worth, and the capacity to feel secure or valued.

Interpersonal Context: In my treatment I emphasize the relational and intersubjective context of trauma, highlighting the role of important relationships in both the development of trauma and the process of healing.

Profoundly distressing or overwhelming events that can result in trauma include:

• Physical or emotional abuse
• Accidents or natural disasters
• Loss of a loved one
• Witnessing violence
• Chronic neglect or adverse childhood experiences
• Any deeply frightening experiences

Trauma often triggers feelings of helplessness, fear, or shame that can persist long after the event. Many individuals experience ongoing symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and difficulty regulating (or even having) emotions.

How Trauma Undermines the Sense of Self

Emotional instability often emerges as a survival response to trauma. Survivors may notice:

• Negative self-perception: Feeling flawed, inadequate, or guilty.
• Hesitation to connect with others out of fear of rejection.
• Uncertainty about personal abilities or choices.
• Mood swings and heightened emotional reactivity.
• Difficulty regulating emotions.
• Emotional numbness.
• Avoidance of situations or people associated with painful memories.

Trauma can fracture a sense of continuity, cohesion, and emotional safety, leaving individuals feeling helpless, ashamed, or disconnected. Many survivors experience ongoing symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or angry outburts in response to ordinary situations.

I use evidence-based approaches in trauma therapy to help individuals process their experiences and reclaim their lives. These therapies target the root causes of emotional distress while rebuilding a sense of safety, control, and self-worth.

Establishing a Safe and Attuned Space

Healing begins in a relational environment where the survivor feels seen, understood, and validated:

• Consistent empathic attunement from the therapist.
• A nonjudgmental space for expressing feelings.
• Recognition of the survivor’s experiences and emotional reality.

This relational foundation between therapist and client is critical for restoring a sense of internal safety and self-cohesion.

Integrating Traumatic Memories

Trauma therapy helps people process painful experiences, in careful, gradual process:

• Reconnect with themselves without being overwhelmed by past events.
• Differentiate between past threats and present safety.
• Reduce the intensity of triggers, flashbacks, and intrusive memories.

Processing trauma in this way strengthens the person's continuity and psychological integration.

Restoring Self-Esteem and Inner Strength

Trauma often undermines self-worth and confidence. These interventions support the reconstitution of a cohesive, resilient self:

• Identify and reframe negative self-beliefs.
• Cultivate personal resilience and recognize achievements.
• Develop self-compassion through mindfulness and reflective practices.

Developing Emotional Regulation and Self-Soothing

Trauma therapy equips individuals with tools to manage intense emotions and remain grounded. Techniques may include:

• Grounding exercises to stay present in the moment.
• Breathing and relaxation strategies to reduce anxiety.
• Reflective practices, such as journaling, to process feelings.

Strengthening Agency and Autonomy

Trauma can leave survivors feeling powerless and fragmented. Restoring agency enables survivors to move from reactive survival to active, empowered engagement with life. Therapy emphasizes reclaiming agency by:

• Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries.
• Aligning choices and actions with personal values.
• Rewriting life narratives to emphasize growth, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Rebuilding Trust and Connection in Relationships

Trauma can disrupt trust, intimacy, and social connection. Healthy relational experiences in therapy provide new ways of engaging with the world, reinforcing cohesion and relational security. Therapy supports relational healing by:

• Modeling and practicing trust in the therapeutic relationship.
• Teaching effective and assertive communication.
• Helping clients identify, cultivate, and maintain supportive relationships

Cultivating Confidence and Authenticity

Ultimately, trauma therapy fosters empowerment by helping survivors reclaim their sense of self and strengths. Through therapy, survivors gradually rebuild a sense of self and identity, carrying resilience, confidence, and hope into all areas of life. Clients learn to:

• Trust their abilities and approach challenges with confidence.
• Pursue meaningful goals that reflect their authentic values.
• Embrace and express their true selves without fear of judgment.

For information about grief please see: Information on Grief