Therapy for PTSD and Complex Trauma
the effects of Trauma
Trauma results from a variety of distressing or disturbing events.
Under normal circumstances, our nervous system helps us process upsetting experiences so that eventually we can remember them without feeling the emotional and physiological charge once attached to them. When our nervous system becomes overwhelmed by the intensity of disturbing experiences, our normal healing mechanism comes under serious threat.
The human brain usually processes memories and events by attaching some kind of meaning to them, in a way ‘neutralising’ their emotional charge. After traumatic experiences however, our brain stores these negative memories in their rawest form (e.g. images, thoughts, sensations). Reminders may cause a person to relive the event with the same intensity as when it first happened. Being unable to control your own emotions and reactions can feel unsettling, embarrassing and at times, terrifying. Unprocessed experiences can make a person feel like the past is never really left behind. Instead, it continues to haunt them in the present.
what is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may occur after a single traumatic event or after multiple traumatic events. These events can take many forms. Generally, the term ‘trauma’ elicits ideas of events such as sexual assault, car accidents or natural disasters. However, other life experiences such as abuse and neglect in childhood, emotional abuse in relationships, bullying, multiple surgeries or medical treatments, the death of a loved one or relationship breakdown can also be traumatic. Regardless of an event itself, if our ability to cope is overwhelmed by a perceived threat, instability and complete loss of control, we will likely experience it as traumatic.
PTSD Symptoms
PTSD typically has four groups of symptoms:
Re-living the traumatic event – Reliving the traumatic event through unwanted and recurring memories, vivid images and nightmares. There may be intense emotional or physical reactions (eg. rage or panic) when reminded of the traumatic event.
Being hyper-vigilant–Becoming easily startled and constantly on the lookout for signs of danger. You may also struggle with insomnia, lack of concentration and irritability.
Avoiding reminders of the trauma – Deliberately avoiding places, people, thoughts or feelings associated with the event because they bring back painful memories.
Feeling emotionally numb – A loss of interest in everyday activities, feeling disconnected from friends and family, or emotionally flat and numb.
For further information about whether you may be experiencing PTSD, check out the following checklist from Beyond Blue, here.
What is complex trauma?
Complex, or childhood trauma results from the cumulative impact of multiple traumatic events experienced during childhood or adolescence. These events are typically of an interpersonal, intimate nature and can have a severe and pervasive effect in the life of a child, all the way through to adulthood. When traumatic events occur early in life they can severely disrupt a child’s development of identity, self-worth and interpersonal skills, as well as their emotional, cognitive, and neurological development.
Childhood trauma events can include: abuse (directly experiencing or observing family violence; emotional, physical or sexual abuse; neglect), a persistent lack of caregiver warmth or support, absent or dismissive caregiving, abandonment, multiple changes in caregivers, or invasive surgery/medical procedures.
Complex trauma shapes how children think about themselves (self-concept), how they respond to other experiences in their lives (emotional regulation and coping skills), their ability to focus and learn (educational skills) and their ability to build relationships based on trust and healthy boundaries (interpersonal skills).
In response to abuse, ongoing family conflict or neglect, children may develop coping strategies that help them meet their own basic survival needs. These coping mechanisms tend to become rigid and damaging over time, long after the individual has escaped direct danger. Some examples of these coping strategies may include: perfectionism and constant need for control, constant people-pleasing or self-sacrificing, dissociation, emotional withdrawal in relationships or substance use.
How trauma-informed therapy can help:
First and foremost, trauma-specialised counselling does not require speaking directly about traumatic events nor discussing them in detail in order for therapy to be effective. In fact, it can even be harmful and triggering to the individual. The key therapies I currently provide to manage trauma are schema therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).
However, understanding trauma is vital for normalising your symptoms, understanding why you are experiencing them and reducing the shame associated with the experience of victimisation.
Counselling and therapy will also:
Help you appreciate how you survived your trauma, your resilience, skills and resources
Help you form a different relationship to the trauma and a stronger sense of self. You’ll gain new perspective on what happened and change what it means for you.
Explore the habitual survival responses you frequently experience. We’ll discuss the ways they once helped you cope (eg. By numbing yourself with substances, using avoidance, mistrust) and the ways they hold you back from coping in the present
Provide a model for trauma that identifies post-traumatic triggers and their symptoms, eg. your nervous system activates ‘flight-flight-freeze’ mode
Identify and practice healthier self-regulation strategies
Learn how to talk about and explain what has happened to you, so that you can explain it to loved ones (if you choose to do so)
Overcome a fear of intimacy and learn to create healthier boundaries that protect your needs.
If you think therapy may help, contact me: