trauma therapy & ptsd treatment seattle
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Trauma refers to a) traumatic experiences and b) the impact of such experiences.
a) Traumatic experiences are moments so overwhelming we are unable to process our emotions at the time of the event.
b) The impact of traumatic experiences can severely effect one’s mental, emotional and physical health.
Trauma expert, Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., defines trauma as “not the story of something that happened back then, but the current imprint of that pain, horror, and fear living inside.”
Trauma does not just happen in the mind. While it impacts the way we think and feel, trauma is as much a physiological response as it is mental and emotional. It can develop as a result of a single incident, such as an accident or assault, or prolonged exposure to stressful situations like abuse or neglect.
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Trauma can fall into several categories, affecting individuals differently based on the nature and duration of their experiences:
Acute Trauma: Results from a single distressing event, such as an accident, natural disaster, or violent assault. This type of trauma can lead to immediate psychological and physiological reactions, including shock, fear, memory impairment and the development of PTSD.
Complex Trauma: Characterized by prolonged or repeated exposure to distressing events, most commonly interpersonal dynamics such as abuse or neglect. In childhood, this can also occur from having a primary caregiver who is chronically unable to meet the needs of the child. It can lead to severe emotional and behavioral difficulties, impacting one’s self-esteem, relationships, and overall mental health.
Intergenerational Trauma: This form of trauma is passed down generationally, often by changes in stress response, parenting behaviors, and even genetic makers. In one study by Rachel Yehuda et al. (2014), mice were exposed to the smell of cherry blossom and given an electric shock until they developed a conditioned fear response for the smell. The study found that their offspring also demonstrated a stress response to the smell of cherry blossom, and even their offspring despite both sets not being raised by their parents. Rachel Yehuda et al. (2014) note in their study, "Epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to the intergenerational transmission of stress effects," suggesting that trauma can leave a biological imprint that affects descendants.
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At its essence, trauma is an experience so overwhelming we are unable to process our emotions at the time of the event. As a way of navigating the experience and avoiding future hurt, we develop protective strategies and unconsciously write a story about who we are and the world around us. These strategies and beliefs, while helpful at the time, control how we navigate life, and in effort to avoid painful emotion, also block us from the full expression of emotions such as joy and love.
Trauma can have a wide range of affects, including the development of PTSD as well as other symptoms. While PTSD is caused by traumatic experiences, not all trauma causes PTSD and not everyone develops PTSD as a result of trauma.
Common responses to trauma can include:
Addictions – Engaging in compulsive behaviors to cope with emotional pain.
Substance use – Using drugs or alcohol as a way to numb distressing emotions.
Low self-esteem – Persistent feelings of worthlessness or self-doubt.
Eating disorders – Disordered eating patterns as a means of control or coping.
Body image issues – Negative perception of one’s body, often linked to trauma.
Anxiety – Excessive worry, fear, or panic in response to trauma-related triggers.
Neophobias – Development of new fears that did not exist before the trauma.
Depression – Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in daily life.
Changes in faith or worldview – Questioning beliefs or experiencing a shift in perspective after trauma.
Self-harming behaviors – Engaging in harmful actions as a way to cope with emotional pain.
Insomnia – Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to intrusive thoughts or anxiety.
Appetite changes – Eating significantly more or less than usual due to emotional distress.
Risk-taking behaviors – Engaging in reckless or dangerous activities
Trust and relationship issues – Struggles with forming or maintaining close connections.
Ambivalence towards life – Lacking concern over one’s life or death
Suicidal ideation and behavior – Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, making suicidal gestures.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can impact both the mind and body, affecting daily life and overall well-being. Symptoms of PTSD vary from person to person but often include:
Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks – Recurrent, distressing memories or reliving the traumatic event as if it is happening again.
Nightmares – Vivid, trauma-related dreams that disrupt sleep and cause distress.
Hypervigilance and heightened anxiety – Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or overly aware of potential danger.
Emotional numbness and detachment – Difficulty experiencing positive emotions, feeling disconnected from others, or avoiding relationships.
Avoidance behaviors – Steering clear of places, people, or situations that trigger trauma-related memories.
Difficulty concentrating – Struggling to focus on tasks or feeling mentally foggy.
Physical symptoms – Chronic pain, headaches, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances linked to prolonged stress.
“My barn having burned down,
I can now see the moon.”
-Mizuta Masahide
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Contrary to what you might think, therapy for trauma is not just sitting down with someone you barely know once a week to tell them all about painful experiences you’ve had in the past. While at times it may feel important to share details about certain experiences, it actually isn’t necessary (and can be ineffective) to simply talk about past traumatic experiences. Trauma therapy can be highly effective when we work with the feelings and somatic experiences (feelings in your body) that you experience today.
Trauma happens as a result of several factors- but energy (emotion) getting stuck in the body is one. This happens when you have an experience so overwhelming and do not have a safe person or community to help you feel protected and process the experience afterwards. In trauma therapy, we create a space where you feel safe enough to bring your whole self- that includes the dark and scary feelings that linger inside.
After trauma, your mind writes a story about who you are and the world around you in order to protect yourself against future pain. Often times, this involves coping mechanisms that help you avoid things that feel threatening- such as your emotions and interpersonal relationships. While this may help you feel safe for a part of life, it eventually prevents you from feeling joy and satisfaction, as well as having healthy relationships, the things that make life worth living.
So you come to therapy because you want something different. We can begin by starting to identify the way trauma shows up in your life. From there, we can access the stuck feelings of the past that are driving your behaviors once it feels safe enough to do so. This is not done in a single session. While one session may bring tremendous insight and relief, others may feel like nothing happened. Your only job is to be honest and patient with yourself. Change can take time. We can work on the past by working with the present moment.
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When choosing a trauma therapist, you will want to first make sure that person is trained, educated and specializes in working with trauma. There are many different modalities that can be used in treatment for trauma, but what is most important in the success of trauma therapy is your relationship with the therapist. You want to work with someone whom you feel comfortable with, even if you are uncomfortable around most people- your trauma therapist ideally should be someone you feel safe around. Pay attention to your body’s response- do I tense up around this person? Or do my shoulders relax? How is my breathing? Do I feel nervous and tight in my stomach? Or at ease?
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If you want to! If you are feeling unsatisfied with aspects of your life or believe that things could be better and want to do what it takes to make a change, therapy is a great place to start. You should not go to therapy if you want someone to fix you, or do the work for you. It is a collaborative process, and ultimately- you are the one with the answers! If you are experiencing major depression, grief or recent trauma and the work of change feels overwhelming and you aren’t sure if you have the energy for it- that’s okay too. Therapy is also be a place where you can just be you, supported and held in whatever shape you are in. Sometimes (most times), stabilization is the very important first stage of therapy where we get you to a place of feeling capable enough to take care of yourself in basic ways before addressing areas of change. We go at a pace that is sustainable for you.
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You will feel different. At first, you might not feel better. In fact, you might start to feel worse as old feelings are brought to the surface. You might feel anger, sadness, and grief. On the other hand, you may notice a larger capacity to feel other emotions as well such as joy and wonder. You may feel more sensitive and empathetic towards others, and it looks different for everyone. Healing is not a linear progression- things can feel better one day and then worse the next. But remember, you are designed to be in a natural state of healing. It is similar to getting a cut or scrape on your skin- cleaning out the debris is painful, but once you do, your body knows what to do, you don’t need to force anything. When you can give yourself what you need and (slowly) remove what may be keeping you in a traumatized state- unhealthy relationships, substance use and other addictions, avoidant behaviors (ways of avoiding your feelings), healing happens naturally. Trauma therapy is a great way to begin the process.
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Yes, healing from PTSD is absolutely possible, and many individuals not only recover but also experience post-traumatic growth (PTG)—a positive psychological transformation that occurs as a result of working through trauma. While PTSD can feel overwhelming, with the right support, such as trauma-informed therapy, somatic practices, and self-care strategies, individuals can regain a sense of control and emotional balance.
Post-traumatic growth refers to the deep personal development that can emerge from overcoming adversity. Many people who heal from PTSD report increased resilience, a greater appreciation for life, stronger relationships, newfound personal strength, and a clearer sense of purpose. Rather than simply returning to who they were before the trauma, they often develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Healing is not about erasing the past but about integrating experiences in a way that fosters emotional growth and empowerment. While the journey looks different for everyone, with patience, support, and the right therapeutic approaches, individuals can move beyond PTSD and create a meaningful, fulfilling life.
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Somatic therapy is a holistic healing approach that recognizes the deep connection between the mind and body in processing trauma and stress. It is founded on the understanding that traumatic experiences are not only stored in the mind but also in the body, often manifesting as physical tension, discomfort, or chronic stress-related symptoms. When trauma occurs, the body's natural defense mechanisms—fight, flight, or freeze—can become stuck in the nervous system, leading to ongoing emotional and physiological distress. Through techniques such as deep breathing, mindful movement, and body awareness exercises, somatic therapy helps individuals reconnect with their bodily sensations, process unresolved trauma, and release stored tension. By addressing trauma at both the cognitive and physical levels, somatic therapy supports a more integrated and lasting healing process, allowing individuals to regain a sense of safety, balance, and emotional well-being.
Somatic therapy incorporates a range of techniques designed to help individuals release stored trauma and restore balance between the mind and body. Methods such as breathwork, movement exercises, guided imagery, and, in some cases, therapeutic touch, provide a structured approach to calming the nervous system and fostering a sense of safety. One of the primary benefits of somatic therapy is its ability to alleviate physical symptoms associated with trauma, including chronic pain, muscle tension, and digestive issues. Since the body often holds onto stress in ways that manifest physically, somatic therapy aids in identifying and releasing these patterns, leading to noticeable relief and improved overall well-being. Additionally, somatic therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing emotional regulation by helping individuals recognize their body’s responses to emotional triggers. By developing greater awareness and control over these responses, individuals can navigate emotions like fear, anxiety, and sadness more effectively, ultimately fostering resilience and emotional stability in their daily lives.
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Trauma-informed therapy is an approach to mental health care that acknowledges and understands the widespread impact of trauma on an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This type of therapy prioritizes safety, trust, and empowerment, ensuring that clients feel secure and supported throughout the therapeutic process. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, trauma-informed therapy considers the underlying experiences that may have contributed to a person’s distress and seeks to address them with sensitivity and care.
This approach is crucial because trauma can deeply affect how individuals perceive themselves, others, and the world around them. Traditional therapy methods that do not account for trauma may unintentionally re-trigger clients or reinforce feelings of helplessness. Trauma-informed therapy, on the other hand, creates a compassionate and validating environment where individuals can explore their experiences at their own pace. It also helps clients develop healthy coping mechanisms, build resilience, and regain a sense of control over their lives. By recognizing the profound effects of trauma and adapting therapeutic techniques accordingly, trauma-informed therapy fosters healing in a way that is both effective and respectful of each person's unique journey.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to explore working together.
The most important part of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. I offer a free 30 minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit to work together.