Trauma-Informed Therapy
in Ontario
Different Types of Trauma
Not all trauma looks the same. Trauma can manifest from a variety of sources and may affect different people in different ways. Below are the different types of trauma:
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Acute Trauma: Trauma stemming from a single incident, such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault.
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Chronic Trauma: Trauma that occurs repeatedly and over an extended period, such as ongoing domestic violence or childhood abuse.
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Complex Trauma: Trauma caused by exposure to multiple traumatic events, typically of an interpersonal nature, affecting your sense of identity and relationship to the world.
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Developmental Trauma: Trauma that occurs in early childhood due to consistent disruptions in attachment, safety, or emotional regulation, often resulting from neglect, abandonment, or abuse.
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Secondary/Vicarious Trauma: Trauma experienced indirectly through exposure to the trauma of others, often seen in caregivers, therapists, or first responders. This can lead to similar symptoms as direct trauma.
Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma can manifest differently for everyone. Common signs and symptoms include (but are not limited to):
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Physical: Chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, sleep disturbances, a heightened startle response.
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Mental: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, intrusive thoughts, confusion, difficulty making decisions, or a sense of disorientation.
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Emotional: Anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, mood swings, persistent feelings of fear, guilt, or shame, along with coping mechanisms like addictions.
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Social: Difficulty trusting others, withdrawing from social activities, challenges in maintaining relationships, or avoidance of intimacy.
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Spiritual: A crisis of meaning, a sense of disconnection from yourself, others, or a higher power, or a struggle to find purpose.
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Sexual: Confusion around boundaries, challenges with intimacy, avoidance of sexual activity, or hypersexuality.
These symptoms can be subtle or severe, transient or persistent. What’s important to know is that your experience is valid, no matter how it shows up.
The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy
Healing from trauma is a gradual process that requires a secure, supportive space. Trauma therapy offers that environment, allowing you to process your experiences at a pace that feels manageable, working carefully to prevent overwhelm.
Since trauma affects both mind and body, therapy often incorporates somatic work. This involves increasing body awareness and improving mind-body connection, helping you process the past and understand its impact on the present, while guiding you toward the life you want.
Here’s what you can expect from trauma therapy:
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Increase Capacity: Build a greater capacity to face a range of emotions, sensations, and challenging situations. This means being able to hold conflicting experiences and stay connected to yourself and others, even during difficult times.
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Emotional Regulation: Explore tools for emotional regulation when times are tough. These tools help you manage overwhelming reactions and respond to triggers with more flexibility.
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Restoring Safety: Redefine what safety means for you, gradually rebuilding it within your body. Relearn trust in yourself and others at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.
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Healing Relationships: Tend to deep emotional wounds, starting with your relationship to yourself and extending to others. As you heal, begin to explore what pleasure, play, and connection feel like when you have the safety and capacity to embrace them.
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Mind-Body Connection: Cultivate greater body awareness by learning to listen to your body’s cues and respond with more effectiveness. Explore how your thoughts and emotions influence your body and, in turn, how your body responds to your thoughts and environment.
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Resilience and Growth: Clarify your values and envision the life you want to lead. Explore creative ways to move towards this vision while fostering resilience to face life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence.
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