TRAUMA

Healing Through Trauma Therapy.

Trauma is the mind and body’s natural response to distressing, disturbing, or threatening experiences. It serves as a protective mechanism, but those survival responses can persist long after the danger has passed.
Trauma can affect how we think, feel, and interact with the world—sometimes immediately, and sometimes years later. It can result from a single event, like an accident or assault, or from ongoing situations such as abuse, neglect, or persistent criticism. Even witnessing a traumatic event or hearing about it in detail can trigger a trauma response.
Job loss, bullying, chronic stress, or feeling consistently unsafe are also forms of trauma—especially when these experiences build up over time and remain unaddressed.
Every form of trauma is valid. No matter the cause, trauma can leave a lasting impact on both emotional well-being and physical health. And all trauma deserves attention, understanding, and care.

Trauma can manifest in a variety of ways. While everyone’s experience is unique, here are some common symptoms:

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Depression or low mood
• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
• Feeling detached or emotionally numb

Physical Symptoms:

• Chronic muscle tension, especially in the neck or shoulders
• Unexplained aches, pains, or fatigue
• Digestive issues like nausea or stomach pain
• Sleep disturbances (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• Racing heart or dizziness without an apparent cause

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Avoiding certain people, places, or situations
• Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
• Startling easily, even in safe environments

Healing from trauma is possible. Trauma-informed therapies help address not just the mental and emotional aspects of trauma, but also how it shows up in the body. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, grounding techniques and mindfulness are just some of the approaches we use to help restore a sense of safety and well-being.

Contact us

If you are in Illinois and ready to take the next step toward healing, we’re here to support you.  Contact us at (312) 346-5156.