Trauma: How it Gets Stuck in Our Bodies and How We Help
In our practice, we have seen that trauma is so much more than a linear story.
At Centred Self, a trauma clinic first and foremost, we understand the complexities and bravery it takes to talk about what has happened to us.
Through talk therapy or EMDR. We are a holistic practice and we are here to help you.
What is Trauma & How can we help?
Trauma is Not Just Something that 'Happened to You': But How You Learned to Survive
Trauma is rarely remembered as a 'story' - it is fragmented, disjointed, and often blurry in parts. It is not uncommon to have large 'blanks' where our story is just gone.
That is okay. Your body has been trying to keep you safe, often by allowing yourself space to keep going, sometimes long after what happened to you.
Trauma can show up through many subtle ways:
- Anxiety - social and situational.
- Insecure attachment because relationships feel unsafe.
- Strong emotions that come out of nowhere and without warning.
- Chronic bodily pain or illness.
We are here to help you in all that you are bringing. Meet our trauma experts that are here to help.
What Does Trauma Look Like?
This is actually quite complex. Trauma does not often show up as we have seen in media. Even those who seem like 'they have it all together' have hidden depths to how they have survived. Trauma carries deep shame that is often hidden behind how we have become resilient.
Trauma can come through a need to:
- Never allowing yourself to rest - It is hard to be still and silent in yourself.
- Hyper-vigilance - Where you are always scanning for safety. You always know the emotional temperature of the room.
- "People-Pleasing" - This is a trauma response. You had to make sure that others were happy so you were safe.
- Chronic self-criticism - It is like you are proving yourself to someone/or even yourself.
- Difficulty trusting others - This comes, especially, when you have trusted before and it's harmed you.
What are Different Types of Trauma?
Trauma is a 'catch all' word - but it is not a one size fits all.
There are various types of trauma and how it can manifest in your life:
Acute Trauma: Is when something has happened recently. It can be an assault; a scary moment (ex., a car accident); recent abuse; or something that shocked our nervous system into an immediate safety response.
Chronic Trauma: This is a prolonged trauma that was/is ongoing. This can be repeated abuse or assault (sexual, physical, domestic). Even being in a neglectful/scary home can result in chronic trauma.
Complex Trauma (CPTSD): This can happen when we have had a prolonged abuse from a person we trusted - often from early childhood - that resulted in our bodies not being able to fully develop into secure adulthood. Abuse, neglect, violence - even when not directed at you - can leave lasting scars.
How We Can Help: At Centred Self We all Specialize in Trauma Recovery
We have found that often 'solution based' modalities do not quite capture the nuance required to really get to the root of the problem. Meeting with a real person and forming a trusting relationship, is the key to feeling like you can go to these depths with someone.
However, often sharing trauma can be triggering and a scary experience.
EMDR can help clients navigate their experiences in a way that is safe and supportive - and that does not leave the same feelings of activation that talk therapy can. Using Eye Movements, Ryan can Desensitize these experiences so that can be Reprocessed.
Centred Self is now offering In-Person Therapy!
Centred Self has partnered with Therapy Suites, right in the heart of downtown Toronto at St. Lawrence Market, to offer In-Person sessions!
If you are looking for in-person sessions, contact us today and we can set you up with an associate for your first free-consult