Trauma Therapy

Telehealth WA

When talking about trauma, many people describe themselves in terms of “before trauma” and “after trauma.” When there is a singular and clear event, this can be a dividing line for someone in terms of who they were, and who they feel they are now.

When a trauma incident is not as clear, especially when talking about Chronic or Complex trauma, sometimes it can feel like “everything” is trauma. There may not be a “before” and “after” feeling, but instead a disconnected sense of different parts of the self. The parts that are able to laugh along with a show, or tap into positive emotions with friends or coworkers. There can also be the parts that always feel numb or angry, the parts trapped always in their grief over what was vs. what should have been.

When talking about trauma I always come back to identity. Who are you? Who do you want to be? How has what happened shaped you, and what do you want to do now with that shape?

Trauma can take so much from us and change us. What we can do together in therapy is restore the power of control to you, and help you create the change you want for yourself. We can work together to help you build a life that serves you, where you feel hope as you look forward to things in life. Your trauma will still be there, but it will take more the place of a previous chapter in the narrative. The rest can be written by you.