Trauma

Trauma-focused therapy is a specific approach to therapy that emphasises and recognises the impact a traumatic experience has on our mental, behavioural, emotional and physical well-being.

Trauma can be caused by emotional or psychological factors such as:

• One-time events — an accident, injury or violent attack, primarily if it occurred when you were a child
• Ongoing, relentless stress — living in a crime-ridden area, battling a life-threatening illness or experiencing frequent traumatic events such as bullying, domestic violence or childhood neglect
• Commonly overlooked causes — an invasive surgery, especially in early childhood, the sudden death of a loved one, a break-up from a significant relationship or a humiliating or deeply disappointing experience
• Sexual and/or emotional abuse — experiencing sexual harasment, abuse, domestic violence and other emotional attacks

Common symptoms of trauma include:

• Shock, denial, or disbelief
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating
• Anger, irritability, mood swings
• Anxiety and fear
• Guilt, shame, self-blame
• Withdrawing from others
• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Feeling disconnected or numb
• Insomnia or nightmares
• Fatigue
• Easily startled
• Muscle tension

More severe symptoms of trauma include:

• Having trouble functioning at home or work
• Suffering from severe fear, anxiety or depression
• Unable to form or sustain close, satisfying relationships
• Emotionally disconnecting from everything and everyone around you
• Using substances such as alcohol or drugs to make you feel better

You may benefit from trauma counselling if you are experiencing the above symptoms.

Trauma counselling aims to offer skills and strategies to help you process your emotions and experiences to achieve an end goal: to create a healthier and more adaptive meaning of the experience that took place in your life.