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Trauma Therapy 

When it was too much, too soon, too often.

 

Nervous system healing and safety help us come back to ourselves and our relationships.

A horizontal image of the shoreline at sunset to accompany information about trauma therapy.

What is Trauma? 

Trauma is any experience that a person’s nervous system registers as overwhelming and a threat to life, which results in changes to the way the nervous system functions.

 

This can be the things we often think of as trauma, like car accidents, experiences of war, abuse or assault. It can also be things like long periods of aloneness as an infant, having a caregiver with their own unresolved trauma, or being hospitalised as a child.

 

Trauma also seems to interact with genetics and neurodiversity, with neurodiverse people being more likely to experience events as traumatic or to be diagnosed with PTSD than neurotypical people. 

 

Living with trauma is one of the most confusing, overwhelming, bewildering things we can do. Huge emotional reactions can seemingly come out of nowhere. We can’t quite put our finger on why we’re so foggy, why our stomach hurts, why our self-critic just won’t back down. Even trying to feel safe might turn on the alarm bells.

 

This is why personalised, attuned trauma therapy is so important. We are finding what’s right for you, moment by moment. 

A white campaign sign in someone's garden, with black text that says you are worthy of love in all caps, referring to a common realization that happens when recovering from trauma.

Recovering From Trauma

Clients who are working on recovering from trauma often notice positive changes in their ability to deal with emotions, reduce their use of coping strategies that have a high personal or relational cost (like substance or alcohol use, self-harm or dissociation), and to relate to themselves with more kindness. I also see clients taking steps towards things like pursuing a new career or relationship that is meaningful and satisfying, relating in new ways to difficult family members, or taking care of themselves better. 

 

Some clients ask whether it’s better to do trauma therapy in person or online. The answer is that it really depends on your preference and comfort. For some people, they find it safer and more comfortable to be physically in the same room with their therapist. Others find that being in their own space, being able to move around, fidget outside of the view of the camera, or even feeling into the distance that the online experience can bring helps them feel safer. As long as the internet connection is stable, we can do successful trauma therapy online. 

© 2023 by Michelle Carchrae Powered and secured by Wix

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Headshot photography by Jo and Glo

 

clearwater counselling provides queer and poly friendly therapy services
Michelle Carchrae is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC
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