Trauma & PTSD
Exposure to a single traumatic event, and certainly repeated exposure to trauma, can create serious mental health challenges. Trauma-specialized care is linked to improved mental health and quality of life.
Key points
Trauma and PTSD tend to respond well to treatment.
PTSD describes a long-term condition characterized by significant distress.
Untreated trauma can have long-term effects on your mental and physical health.
Trauma-informed CBT for children and teens, other approaches for adults.
Trauma doesn’t have to define you
Trauma can leave a deep imprint on your body, mind, and sense of self, especially when you had to face something overwhelming without enough support. It might come from a sudden event like an accident or assault. Or it might build over time through experiences like childhood neglect, verbal abuse, or persistent discrimination. What matters most isn’t whether others would call it “trauma”—it’s how it lives in your body and affects your day-to-day life.
Everyone processes trauma differently. For some, the effects are obvious and immediate. For others, they can show up months or years later in the form of anxiety, chronic overthinking, exhaustion, or an ongoing sense that something just isn’t right.
Trauma can shape your thoughts, behavior, and body
Unresolved trauma can affect nearly every area of life. You may struggle with:
Anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness
Trouble sleeping or relaxing
Difficulty with decision-making or staying organized
Feeling disconnected from others or from yourself
Persistent low energy or lack of motivation
Unexplained irritability or overwhelm
A vague sense of “stuckness” or confusion
Sometimes these symptoms are misdiagnosed or misunderstood. But when we look beneath the surface, unresolved trauma is often at the root.
What is PTSD?
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but for some, the impact lingers in a more acute way. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a long-term condition that may include flashbacks, nightmares, emotional detachment, and intense fear or helplessness, even when the danger is long gone. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s your nervous system trying to keep you safe.
Why trauma makes functioning harder
Trauma changes the way we think and respond. When your brain senses danger, it flips into survival mode—prioritizing safety over learning, connection, or rest. That’s adaptive in the moment, but over time, this pattern can make it hard to feel grounded or present, even when you’re no longer in harm’s way.
Trauma also interferes with executive functioning, making everyday tasks—like sticking to a schedule, managing time, or staying focused—feel overwhelming. It can erode your confidence and your ability to engage fully in work, relationships, or personal goals.
Trauma and coping behaviors
When trauma remains unprocessed, it often fuels coping strategies that may not serve you. You might turn to food, substances, risky behaviors, or compulsive tech use to try to regulate what feels unbearable. These behaviors aren’t your fault. They’re attempts to self-soothe when nothing else feels accessible. With trauma-informed support, you can begin to shift these patterns from the inside out.
The physical impact of trauma
Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind. It also shows up in the body. Research shows that individuals exposed to chronic or early trauma are at increased risk for physical health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and immune system disruption. Children exposed to trauma may face lifelong health vulnerabilities.
What increases the risk of trauma-related struggles?
Several factors make it more likely that someone will experience lasting effects from trauma, including:
A history of early or repeated trauma
Feeling helpless or unsupported during the experience
Genetic or environmental influences
Lack of access to supportive relationships or healing resources
But even if your trauma goes back decades, or you’ve tried therapy before, healing is still possible.
You deserve support that honors your experience
Trauma therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. I work with you to create a space that feels safe, collaborative, and grounded in real tools for healing. Depending on your needs, we might integrate:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Helps reprocess painful memories without needing to relive them in detail
Trauma-informed CBT: Supports children, teens, and adults in shifting harmful thought patterns
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Builds psychological flexibility through mindfulness and values-based action
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): Offers tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relational skills
Mindfulness-based approaches to reconnect you to your body and your present moment experience
Let’s begin your healing journey, on your terms
The effects of trauma are real, but they don’t have to be permanent. You can feel more steady, more connected, and more like yourself again. Healing is possible, even if it doesn’t happen all at once.
Reach out today and begin your healing journey, on your terms and at your pace.
Related information
Briere, J., Hodges, M., & Godbout, N. (2010). Traumatic stress, affect dysregulation, and dysfunctional avoidance: a structural equation model. Journal of traumatic stress, 23 6, 767-74
Dimopoulou, I., Anthi, A., Mastora, Z., Theodorakopoulou, M., Konstandinidis, A., Evangelou, E., Mandragos, K.E., & Roussos, C. (2004). Health-Related Quality of Life and Disability in Survivors of Multiple Trauma One Year After Intensive Care Unit Discharge. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 83, 171-176.
López-Martínez, A., Serrano-Ibáñez, E.R., Ruíz-Párraga, G.T., Gómez-Pérez, L., Ramírez‐Maestre, C., & Esteve, R. (2018). Physical Health Consequences of Interpersonal Trauma: A Systematic Review of the Role of Psychological Variables. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 19, 305 – 322.
Sanderud, K., Murphy, S., & Elklit, A. (2016). Child maltreatment and ADHD symptoms in a sample of young adults. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 7.
Schnurr, P.P., & Green, B.L. (2004). Understanding relationships among trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and health outcomes. Advances in mind-body medicine, 20 1, 18-29