Trauma
What is Trauma?
Trauma is what happens when an experience feels overwhelming to your mind, body, or emotions—more than what you were able to process at the time. It’s not just about what happened, but by how your nervous system responded to it. Two people can go through similar events, and one may feel fine afterward while the other continues to feel deeply impacted. Trauma is about the internal response, not just the external event.
When something is traumatic, the brain and body often shift into survival mode. This is the same system that helps protect us in danger—fight, flight, or freeze. These responses can be life-saving, but after the danger has passed, the nervous system doesn’t fully “turn off.” and reminders of the experience can trigger strong emotional or physical reactions.
Trauma is often talked about in two categories:
- Big “T” trauma
- Little “t” trauma.
Both can have a real impact on your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Big “T” trauma
Big “T” trauma typically refers to large events that are overwhelming or life-threatening, such as accidents, abuse, violence, medical emergencies, or other situations where safety is at risk. Little “t” trauma refers to experiences that may not look extreme, but still feel painful or emotionally distressing.
Little “t” trauma
Little “t” trauma can include ongoing stress, emotional neglect, chronic criticism, rejection, unstable relationships, or growing up in an environment where emotional needs were not consistently met.
Both types of trauma matter and can show up in many different ways. Some people notice anxiety, panic, irritability, or feeling constantly on edge. Others feel numb, disconnected, or detached from emotions or relationships. It can also show up in the body through sleep difficulties, tension, fatigue, or chronic stress responses. For many, trauma impacts self-worth, relationships, and the ability to feel safe in the present moment. These responses are not signs of weakness or failure—they are normal adaptations your mind and body developed to protect you.
We want to encourage you, that trauma is highly treatable. With the right support, the nervous system can learn that the danger is over and the brain can be led on a path of healing.
At Gleason Counseling Services, we apply several evidence-based therapy approaches that can support trauma healing:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing),
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
The goal is not to erase the memory and experiences, but to no longer carry the same emotional weight in your daily life. Trauma work doesn’t forget what happened but it means to remember without being overwhelmed by it and gradually reconnecting with a sense of safety, stability, and life-satisfaction.
Practitioners:
- Dave Swanston
- Jeffery Elliott
Further Information:
Find the path to healing
Reach out when you’re ready. We’d be honored to walk alongside you.
