Trauma

Fern Rainwater, MSW

Trauma is difficult to define and describe in that it is extremely subjective to each person’s experience. For the purposes of general understanding, I have included a blanket, broad definition of Trauma. Trauma is a significant event or experience that heavily impacts the way one views themselves, their community, or the world around them. For example, two people may experience the exact same event, but one person is considered “traumatized” and the other is not. The way our brains experience trauma varies so much from person to person. Many people who have experienced trauma have learned not to simply “let go” of their experience, but have learned how to move forward despite their trauma.

People who have experienced trauma might be hesitant to seek counseling because of pre-conceived pressure to share details of their traumatic experiences. However, it is really important to know that counselors trained in trauma therapy will always prioritize the clients’ timing and autonomy in talking about the trauma. Trauma often takes away an individual's power in a given situation, so therapy is a safe space to gain that power back. Trauma will never go away or be erased from your life. The good news is that you can certainly learn to move forward in a way that honors yourself and your experience. We will never seek a silver lining with trauma, but rather learn to celebrate your resilience and depth as a result of the trauma. Seeking trauma therapy can help you find safety and power again.