TRAUMA AND PTSD
Many people experience trauma at some point in their lives — from car accidents, assault, childhood neglect, sudden loss, ongoing abuse, exposure to war or political violence, or natural disasters. Some traumas are visible and acute; others are chronic, subtle, and deeply relational.
I spent two years working at an NGO specialising in trauma and PTSD, managing a team of psychologists and social workers and helping develop treatment models for individuals and families affected by political violence and complex trauma. That experience shapes how I approach healing: with care, humility, and a deep belief that recovery is possible — and unique to each person.
A New Understanding of Trauma
Trauma is not only about what happened to you — it’s about what happened inside you as a result. It’s the disconnection from yourself, your sense of safety, your emotional world, and from others. Often, trauma causes parts of us to shut down in order to survive.
These protective responses — numbing, avoidance, hyper-alertness, difficulty trusting, or emotional shutdown — are not signs of weakness. They are adaptations your mind and body made in response to overwhelming experiences, and they can be gently unlearned with support.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one way trauma’s effects can show up. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but for those who do, symptoms can feel invasive and disruptive. You might experience:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Emotional numbness or disconnection
- Avoidance of reminders, people, or places
- Hypervigilance, anxiety, or irritability
- Guilt, shame, or a harsh inner critic
- Sleep difficulties
- Feeling emotionally stuck or chronically unsafe
- Changes in relationships or sense of identity
These symptoms aren’t failures — they’re signs your nervous system is doing its best to cope with unresolved pain.
Healing from Trauma
You don’t have to carry trauma’s weight alone. Therapy can help you:
- Make sense of your experiences in ways that empower without retraumatizing
- Reconnect with your emotions, body, and inner resources
- Understand and release protective patterns no longer serving you
- Build emotional safety and resilience at your pace
- Restore a sense of choice and control over your life
My trauma-informed, integrative approach includes mindfulness, Compassionate Inquiry, psychodynamic insight, and body-based awareness. Together, we work gently and collaboratively — respecting your readiness and your story.
Healing isn’t about forgetting the past. It’s about reconnecting with who you were before the disconnection — and who you’re still becoming.