Trauma

As Peter Levine says, “trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence”. Trauma therapy that is not done with a trained professional can lead to increased distress and worsening of symptoms. At Roya Counselling, our designations, including the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional designation, ensure the efficacy and safety of trauma treatment. We use trauma therapies such as EMDR, and IFS to help our clients heal.

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HOW CAN ROYA COUNSELLING SUPPORT YOU WITH trauma?

Roya`s designation as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional means she has received in-depth clinical training in the field of trauma and can help you safely
Trauma causes our nervous system to become dysregulated. We will work on getting your nervous system back into balance and safety
We will discover the unhealthy beliefs you developed as a result of your trauma and work on developing more realistic beliefs
Part of our journey will be helping you develop resources to help you as you go through waves of strong emotions
We will work on your goals for the future and how you want to rewrite your life story

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Different forms of trauma:

Acute trauma

Acute trauma occurs when a person experiences a sudden and unexpected event that is perceived as life-threatening, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or violent crime.

Complex/chronic trauma

Chronic trauma occurs when a person experiences prolonged or repeated exposure to stressful or traumatic events, such as ongoing abuse or neglect, growing up in an unstable or unsafe environment, chronic illness or disability or living in a war zone.

Developmental trauma

Developmental trauma refers to traumatic experiences that occur during childhood and can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical development. Developmental trauma is often chronic and may involve exposure to multiple forms of abuse, neglect, unstable living environments, or early loss of/separation from caregivers.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behavior, and hyperarousal.

Secondary or vicarious trauma

Secondary or vicarious trauma occurs when a person experiences trauma as a result of working with or caring for individuals who have experienced trauma, such as healthcare workers, therapists, or first responders.

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Reach Out if you have these trauma Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, lapses in memory, difficulty concentrating, difficulty planning and making decisions
Physical symptoms: insomnia, unexplained pain, chronic muscle tension, fatigue and lethargy, racing heartbeat, tingling and burning sensations in legs, hands or head
Emotional: emotional numbness, anger outbursts, chronic fear, intense sadness, feeling disgust towards other people or one`s self

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Common Questions about trauma:

What is trauma?

Trauma happens when a person`s ability to cope and their sense of safety are overwhelmed by a distressing event. Trauma can result from a single event such as being in a car crash or from a series of events that happen over time.

What is complex trauma?

Complex trauma happens when our nervous system stays in the survival mode for a prolonged period. Imagine a child who grows up with an abusive caregiver. The child`s nervous system has to stay on alert all the time, which leads to complex trauma.

What happens if I don`t address my trauma?

Trauma is stored in our bodies. Not addressing our trauma can lead to serious long-lasting health conditions such as diabetes. Unaddressed trauma can also lead to irritability, addiction, relationship issues, anxiety and depression.

Am I overreacting or am I really traumatized?

It is normal for trauma survivors to believe their reactions are extreme. Minimizing our trauma and invalidating our feelings are ways in which we try deal with painful emotions. It is important to remember that denying our emotional experiences and labelling them as “overreaction” can lead to shame, isolation, and other mental health issues.

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Can talking about trauma make me feel worse?

It is normal to feel anxious about sharing your traumatic experiences. You might wonder if talking about a traumatic experience can make your symptoms worse. As a trained trauma specialist, I always ensure we explore and discuss your traumatic experiences in a way that feels safe and healing.

Is therapy effective for healing for trauma?

Therapy has been proven to be very effective in healing from trauma. However, therapy is not a quick fix. Healing from trauma happens gradually and consistency in attending sessions is crucial. Trauma is multi-faceted and at Roya Counselling, my goal is to address the different facets of your traumatic experience. My hope is to help you develop strategies to cope with the symptoms of trauma on a day-to-day basis and ultimately to lessen the frequency of your symptoms. The road to healing trauma is definitely not short and easy, but my years of experience with clients have shown me that it is possible and very rewarding.

I have been to therapy before, and it did not help. Why should I try again?

The success in therapy depends on many factors such as the therapist`s training, the therapeutic relationship and the length of therapy among other factors. If previous therapy did not work, it is helpful to choose your therapist more carefully next time and ask important questions about their training and their approach before starting therapy.

Everyone experiences trauma. Why should I seek therapy?

It is true that most people experience a form of trauma in their lives. It is also true that unaddressed trauma can take away from living life fully. Seeking therapy is not the only way, but a proven scientific way, to help you live your life more fully.

I get triggered easily. Is that a sign of trauma?

Since trauma can dysregulate our nervous system, we might notice becoming triggered easily and as my clients often say, we might feel “raw. Although not the only cause, trauma can be one of the reasons we find ourselves getting triggered easily.

About Roya Counselling

At Roya Counselling, we are committed to providing professional, ethical, and evidence-based counselling services that prioritize your well-being. We understand that seeking therapy can be a difficult and brave decision, and we honor the trust you place in us. We have personally experienced the transformative power of therapy, and we will never take your desire for healing lightly.

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We believe in the inherent resilience of our clients, and our stance towards our clients is non-judgmental, compassionate and curious.
We feel very privileged to hear about our clients' hopes, goals and pains and witness them slowly recovering their peace, happiness and livelihood.