Trauma Hits Us At Our Core

. . .it disrupts our world, shakes the floor under our feet, our lives will probably never going to be the same. Traumatic events can trigger feelings of rage, heartbreak, irritability, confusion, and nervousness, just to name a few. You may feel emotionally numb and wonder, Why me? Why do I have to go through this? What have I done? How can I ever trust again? You may wish it had only been a bad dream, but as life continues around you, you are constantly reminded about how the traumatic experience left you changed. You simply may not know how to “pick up the pieces” and continue living in the same way you used to.

It may be that all we have done to be safe could not protect us from experiencing trauma. This is a painful realization for most of us, and you may blame yourself or feel ashamed for having experienced trauma. Guilt can leave you questioning yourself and your decisions, making it hard to blossom in other areas of your life. In addition to difficult thoughts and emotions, you may experience physical symptoms, and your body may become dysregulated as a result of trauma. If you are a parent, you may worry about how unresolved trauma may adversely impact your ability to raise kids in ways that foster their psychological well-being, sense of safety, and resiliency.

Trauma Is More Common Than You May Think 

Traumatic experiences are incredibly difficult challenges that life confronts us with, and we are left to “deal” with the inner turmoil they trigger. And, while trauma can leave us feeling completely alone, the number of individuals who are exposed to traumatic experiences is surprisingly high. 

The overwhelming stress caused by trauma often exceeds our ability to cope, making it hard to process and integrate difficult emotions involved in the traumatic experience. As a result, traumatic events and the overwhelming emotions they trigger often remain unintegrated—we just cannot find a way to make them fit into how we view ourselves and our life story. This fragmentation is especially problematic as distressing, unintegrated memories can severely impact our ability to achieve and maintain a state of well-being.

There is incredible pain in the realization that no one can “undo” what has happened. It is also true that healing is possible and that opportunities for freedom from the past can emerge as a result of the therapeutic process. A knowledgeable trauma therapist can facilitate a non-judgmental space that fosters contact with your own feelings, thoughts, and memories, allowing you to explore and gradually resolve past trauma, finding opportunities for meaningful and lasting growth.

Trauma Therapy Can Help You Heal from Traumatic Experiences

Even though trauma is one of the most difficult experiences a human being can endure, there is hope in knowing that you don’t need to be alone during this process. Effective psychotherapy has consistently been shown to provide relief from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. As a trauma therapist I aim to help my patients re-integrate intense emotions by fostering a safe, confidential environment where healing can unfold. I strive to be empathic, authentic, emotionally present, and, perhaps above all, I am willing to be impacted by the therapeutic process as well. In my experience, the combination of these qualities allows for the development of a trusting therapeutic relationship that has the potential to provide meaningful and lasting healing.

Attending to the traumatic experiences you have endured is possibly one of the most significant gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones. My passion for helping individuals with a history of trauma discover new possibilities in their lives has only grown after witnessing how powerful therapy can be in fostering awareness and self-compassion. It is an honor to witness the courage and commitment it takes to find a way to be “whole” again after a traumatic experience and to take the risk of doing the inner work needed for healing to unfold. If you decide to take this journey, you can be sure that I will be as committed as you are, being emotionally present while attentively listening, facilitating, guiding, supporting, and bearing witness to your unique journey of healing and transformation. 

Even if you can sense the benefits that trauma counseling may bring about, you may still have questions…

How do I know if what I went through constitutes trauma?

Trauma is a vast field and it may be hard to figure out what experiences are understood as “trauma.” It is important to bear in mind, though, that it is your subjective experience of what happened that constitutes trauma, rather than solely the “objective” event. A key aspect of treatment is to “tune in” to your unique feelings, thoughts, and reactions to whatever experience has been traumatic for you. As a trauma therapist, I aspire to help you better understand the less obvious reasons for your struggles, how trauma is impacting your life, and what perhaps can be done to process difficult or painful emotions and memories in ways that feel more bearable.

My symptoms are all over the place. Am I experiencing post-traumatic stress?

Many individuals report that their symptoms are unpredictable and that they vary in frequency and intensity. In some cases, you may start to experience symptoms of traumatic stress immediately after the trauma. Other times, it may be weeks, months, or even years after a traumatic experience before you start to feel or recognize post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Irrespective of how and when post-traumatic symptoms may unfold, psychotherapy can provide a valuable forum where you can address difficult symptoms and allow yourself to attend to your inner life freely and at your own pace. With the appropriate guidance and support, you can begin (or continue) your journey toward healing.

The trauma I endured left me without hope—believing that therapy can help me seems like a risk of another disappointment.

If this is how you are feeling, I truly hope we have the opportunity to speak about this in the safety of the therapeutic space.

An authentic and attuned therapeutic relationship has the potential to be healing, and therapy is one of the few avenues that have been studied and shown to be effective in working through unresolved trauma. The potential gains are substantial—an increased sense of control where your traumatic experiences need not “by default” define who you are and how you live your life. A sense of possibility and freedom. An opportunity to envision more choices and to live more authentically; perhaps the possibility of “letting your guard down” if and when you choose to.

Yet, you are absolutely right that there is always a “risk”—the risk that therapy may not work out the way you intended or take longer than expected. Fortunately, therapy is a commitment that you implicitly renew each week and one that you can stop at any time if you feel that is the appropriate thing to do. Provided you and I are a good match, we can work together to minimize risks, and the duration and investment you put into therapy are always under your control.

In my experience, the potential gains of therapy—the possibility of starting a new chapter of your life—can be well worth the investment.

You Can Feel Hope and Peace Once Again 

If you are ready to take the first step in this journey toward healing and hope, or if you have additional questions about treatment, please do not hesitate to schedule a time to talk by clicking below. It is a privilege to be trusted with your particular thoughts, feelings, or questions as you consider what you may need in your journey toward healing. 

Recent Blogposts

Testimonial

“Dr. Perolini’s warm empathy and compassion are matched only by her keen clinical understanding of her patient’s suffering and her ability to meet that suffering and help her patient’s heal. In Dr. Perolini, patients will find a dedicated and caring human being as well as a superbly skilled therapist.” 

~Amelio A. D’Onofrio, PhD