Therapy for Trauma

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is an experience that many people will face in their lifetime. In fact, it's estimated that 70% of Americans will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime and 1 in 11 Americans will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. It’s important to remember that struggling with the thoughts and feelings that follow a traumatic event(s) is common, and you don’t have to tough it out alone. Whether it’s the result of a single event or a series of challenging experiences, trauma can profoundly affect your sense of safety, well-being, and connection to the world around you.

Big Traumas and little traumas

Big “T” traumas refer to significant, often life-threatening events that can lead to PTSD, such as physical assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, or combat. These events are typically dramatic and profoundly impact an individual’s sense of safety and well-being.

There are two main categories of trauma- often referred to as Big T’s and little t’s. Big "T" traumas refer to significant, often life-threatening events that can lead to PTSD, such as physical assault, natural disasters, serious accidents, or combat. These events are typically dramatic and profoundly impact an individual's sense of safety and well-being. 

On the other hand, little “t” traumas are smaller, less obvious events that can still cause significant emotional distress. These might include ongoing interpersonal conflicts, job stress, financial struggles, or repeated minor accidents. While they might not be as overtly traumatic as big “T” events, their cumulative effect can be just as impactful over time. Both types of trauma are valid and can benefit from professional support and treatment.

At Kona Counseling, we understand that trauma is not just about what happened to you but how it continues to impact your life. We’re here to support you on your journey to healing and reclaiming your life.

Stigma Surrounding Trauma

The social stigma surrounding trauma often stems from misconceptions and a lack of understanding. Many people believe that trauma only results from extreme events, leading those who experience less obvious or “little t” traumas to feel invalidated or ashamed. Additionally, societal expectations to “stay strong” or “move on” can discourage individuals from seeking help, making them feel weak or isolated for struggling with their experiences. This stigma can prevent open discussions about trauma, hinder access to support and contribute to prolonged suffering. Overcoming this stigma requires education, empathy, and encouraging a more compassionate view of mental health.

Trauma can be difficult for others to understand because, unlike physical injuries, it isn’t always visible. People can easily see crutches, a cast, or a brace, but they can’t see the emotional pain and scars that trauma leaves behind. This invisibility can make it harder for those suffering to feel validated or supported. Still, it’s important to remember that emotional wounds are just as real and deserving of care as any physical injury. Seeking help for emotional pain is a sign of strength and a crucial step toward healing.

Trauma is a constant presence in our society, yet it’s often the elephant in the room that goes unacknowledged. Despite its prevalence, many people still find it uncomfortable to discuss, and popular culture has historically found it easier to blame the victim rather than confront the complex reality of trauma. While there’s a growing awareness and shift toward understanding and empathy, the tendency to overlook or dismiss trauma is still deeply ingrained. This reluctance to fully address trauma can perpetuate stigma and hinder the healing process, making it all the more important to continue challenging these outdated views.

Trauma: The Elephant in the Room

The stigma surrounding trauma is not a new phenomenon. Long before Sigmund Freud became famous for his research on the unconscious mind, he conducted pivotal studies in the late 1800s on what was then known as “female hysteria”—a condition we now recognize as PTSD. Freud’s research took place at the Salpêtrière, a women’s psychiatric hospital in Paris, where women were sent for various reasons, including exhibiting PTSD symptoms, epilepsy, poverty, being unwanted by their families, their sexuality, having physical disabilities, being headstrong, and the list can go on and on.

Through his studies, Freud discovered that hysteria was often rooted in trauma, both sexual and otherwise, typically inflicted by the woman’s husband or close family members. Proud of his findings, Freud sought to shed light on the connection between trauma and mental health. However, his research was met with resistance from high society, which shunned his conclusions. Faced with this rejection, Freud pivoted and began focusing on the impulses of the unconscious, a shift that ultimately shaped the trajectory of modern psychology. This historical reluctance to acknowledge trauma’s impact underscores the long-standing stigma that continues to persist today.

It wasn’t until many years later, when soldiers returned home from World War II that PTSD began receiving significant attention in the medical community. An estimated 7% of the 13.6 million U.S. soldiers, or approximately 952,000 individuals, who returned home from the war experienced mental and emotional pain that wasn’t present before the war, forcing the issue into the spotlight. This large-scale recognition marked a turning point in the understanding and treatment of PTSD, although the stigma around trauma still lingers today.

Trauma and Arizona

Arizona has the fifth-highest domestic violence rate in the United States, with approximately 42.6% of women and 33.4% of men experiencing physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. The issues of intimate partner violence and homicide are deeply intertwined with systemic racism, colonialism, misogyny, and oppression. While anyone can be a victim of intimate partner violence, people of color, particularly women of color, experience disproportionately high rates of violence and homicide. Between June 2020 and July 2021, nearly 22,000 people in Arizona reached out to domestic violence hotlines for help and safety options, yet countless others continue to suffer in silence. 

The traumas you've experienced, whether violent or not, are significant. These events you’ve experienced have impacted your life and mental health—This deserves to be acknowledged and addressed.

Factors That Contribute to Trauma

Trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience influenced by a combination of factors, including the nature of the event, personal history, and environmental stressors. Understanding these contributing factors can help demystify trauma and make it easier to seek appropriate treatment.

• Nature of the Event: Traumatic experiences can range from accidents, natural disasters, and physical injuries to emotional abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. The impact of these events can vary, but all have the potential to leave a lasting imprint on your mental and emotional well-being.
• Personal History: Previous experiences, such as childhood adversity or a history of mental health challenges, can increase vulnerability to trauma. These past experiences may shape how you perceive and respond to current events.
• Environmental Stressors: External pressures like financial difficulties, relationship issues, or workplace stress can exacerbate the effects of trauma, making it harder to recover without support.

Our Approach to Treating Trauma

At Kona, we offer a compassionate and individualized approach to trauma treatment. Our therapists are trained in a variety of evidence-based trauma-informed therapies. For example, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy that helps you process traumatic memories, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) helps you identify and change negative thought patterns, narrative therapy helps to reframe trauma stories, somatic experiencing focuses on the mind-body connection in trauma, and polyvagal theory explores the role of the nervous system in trauma. All interventions are designed to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences.

Therapy sessions can involve looking ahead, exploring present circumstances, or reflecting on the past. Sometimes, trauma can be too difficult for someone to talk about, and that’s ok. Trauma symptoms can be addressed without explicitly talking about the traumatic event. The balance of these elements will be tailored to your needs based on what you and your therapist determine as the most effective approach for your growth and healing. Interventions and focal points in treatment are not just designed but personally designed to support your goals and help you move forward confidently because you are important to us.

We believe in creating a safe and supportive space where you can explore your feelings, develop coping strategies, and work through the lingering effects of trauma. We aim to help you regain your sense of safety, strength, and connection to the world around you.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

If you’re struggling with the effects of trauma, it’s essential to know that healing is possible and you don’t have to do it alone. At Kona Counseling, we’re dedicated to providing the support and guidance you need to move forward on your healing journey.

Remember, trauma doesn’t define you. With the right support, you can overcome it and reclaim your life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward healing.