What trauma can look like day to day
Trauma isn’t only about what happened. It’s also about how your nervous system had to adapt to survive. You might notice:
- Feeling constantly on edge, waiting for something bad to happen
- Shutting down, going numb, or “checking out” when things get stressful
- Big reactions that surprise even you — anger, panic, or sudden tears
- Difficulty trusting people or letting them get close
- Flashbacks, body memories, or strong emotional responses to reminders
Some people minimize their experiences because “others had it worse.” But emotional neglect, ongoing criticism, unpredictable caregiving, or growing up with chaos or addiction can all have a profound impact.
How trauma therapy helps
In trauma therapy, we don’t ask you to retell every detail of what happened. Instead, we work together to:
- Build a sense of safety — in your body, your relationships, and your daily life
- Understand how your nervous system responds (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)
- Develop tools to manage triggers, panic, and overwhelm
- Untangle shame, self-blame, and beliefs like “I’m broken” or “It was my fault”
- Make room for grief and anger without being swallowed by them
Our pace is always guided by your window of tolerance. You get to decide what we talk about, when, and how quickly we move.
Our trauma-informed approach
Your therapist may draw from several trauma-informed approaches, including:
- Attachment-focused work: exploring how early relationships shaped the way you relate to yourself and others.
- Parts-informed work: making sense of the “you” who copes, the “you” who feels, and the “you” who tries to keep everything together.
- Body-based awareness: noticing where you hold stress and learning ways to ground, soothe, and release tension.
- CBT, DBT & ACT: gently challenging unhelpful beliefs while moving toward the kind of life you want to build now.
You’re always in control of what you share. Our goal is not to reopen wounds for the sake of it — it’s to help you have more choice, more compassion for yourself, and more freedom in the present.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk about the details of what happened?
Not at all. Trauma therapy can be effective without retelling every detail. We focus on safety, present-day triggers, and building tools that help you feel more grounded and in control.
What approaches do you use for trauma therapy?
We use trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches and skills such as nervous-system regulation, grounding, and parts/attachment-informed work. Your therapist will tailor the plan to your history and goals.
Is it normal to feel emotional after sessions?
Yes. Processing can bring up feelings. We’ll pace therapy carefully and build coping tools so you feel supported between sessions.
How do you keep trauma therapy from feeling overwhelming?
We go slowly, check in often, and focus on stabilization skills first. You stay in control of what you share and when.
Can trauma therapy be done via telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth can work well for trauma therapy for clients located in Pennsylvania, especially when we also build a plan for support and grounding at home.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It varies depending on your goals, symptoms, and the kind of support you want. We’ll collaborate on a pace that feels sustainable and revisit progress regularly.