Trauma Therapy: Healing Shock Trauma and Complex Developmental Trauma
If you are searching for trauma therapy to address emotional struggles, anxiety, or feeling stuck in life, understanding the different types of trauma is essential for finding the right treatment. Trauma can manifest in many ways, impacting both the mind and body, and can stem from either shock trauma or complex developmental trauma (also know as relational trauma). Identifying the root cause of your symptoms is the first step toward healing and regaining a sense of connection and well-being.
What is Shock Trauma?
Shock trauma results from sudden, singular events that overwhelm your nervous system, such as:
These incidents activate the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response, leading to symptoms such as hypervigilance, panic attacks, and difficulty feeling safe in everyday life. Many individuals who experience shock trauma report a sense of their life being divided into "before" and "after" the event.
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a highly effective, body-focused approach to resolving shock trauma. This therapy helps you process and release stored survival energy, allowing your nervous system to regain balance and resilience. SE works by gently guiding you through body awareness exercises that help discharge unresolved trauma and restore a sense of calm and safety.
What is Complex Trauma, Relational Trauma, or Developmental Trauma?
Unlike shock trauma, complex trauma, also known as complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or developmental trauma, arises from chronic, relational experiences (often called Adverse Childhood Experiences) that occur over an extended period. These experiences are often rooted in childhood and may include:
The effects of developmental trauma can extend beyond emotional challenges, leading to chronic physical conditions such as digestive disorders, autoimmune issues, and chronic fatigue. Individuals may unconsciously develop survival strategies, such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and intellectualization, to cope with overwhelming emotions and unmet childhood needs.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Healing from complex trauma requires more than just talk therapy. It involves addressing the body’s nervous system, attachment patterns, and deeply ingrained survival strategies. Our trauma-informed therapy integrates two powerful modalities, Somatic Experiencing (SE™) and the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™) to support holistic healing.
Somatic Experiencing (SE™):
SE focuses on resolving physiological dysregulation by tracking bodily sensations and releasing stored trauma energy. This method allows clients to move from states of hypervigilance or shutdown to a place of safety and presence. SE is particularly effective for treating shock trauma and chronic stress patterns.
The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™):
NARM is specifically designed to address developmental trauma by working with identity and relational patterns. This therapy helps uncover how past experiences shape present-day behaviors and self-perceptions, offering tools to break free from survival patterns such as:
Signs You May Benefit from Trauma Therapy
If you recognize any of the following symptoms, our trauma-informed therapy can support you:
Whether you are struggling with the aftermath of a single traumatic event or the long-term effects of childhood trauma, seeking professional support can help you regain balance and resilience.
Our Approach to Trauma Healing
At our practice, we provide a compassionate, holistic approach to healing that integrates body-based, relational, attachment, and strengths-focused techniques. Our therapists create a safe space where clients can explore their experiences without judgment, working at their own pace to build self-trust, a felt sense of safety, nervous system regulation & flexibility, and resilience.
We believe in:
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Finding the right support for trauma recovery can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team of trauma-informed therapists is here to guide you with personalized care that honors your unique journey.
Take the first step today—schedule a consultation to learn how trauma therapy can help you reclaim your life.
What is Shock Trauma?
Shock trauma results from sudden, singular events that overwhelm your nervous system, such as:
- Car accidents or falls
- Medical emergencies or surgical procedures
- Natural disasters
- Physical assaults or sudden loss of a loved one
These incidents activate the body’s fight, flight, or freeze response, leading to symptoms such as hypervigilance, panic attacks, and difficulty feeling safe in everyday life. Many individuals who experience shock trauma report a sense of their life being divided into "before" and "after" the event.
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a highly effective, body-focused approach to resolving shock trauma. This therapy helps you process and release stored survival energy, allowing your nervous system to regain balance and resilience. SE works by gently guiding you through body awareness exercises that help discharge unresolved trauma and restore a sense of calm and safety.
What is Complex Trauma, Relational Trauma, or Developmental Trauma?
Unlike shock trauma, complex trauma, also known as complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or developmental trauma, arises from chronic, relational experiences (often called Adverse Childhood Experiences) that occur over an extended period. These experiences are often rooted in childhood and may include:
- Emotional neglect or abandonment
- Having a parent with mental illness or addiction
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Growing up in an unstable or unsafe environment
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Growing up in an environment where you didn't feel seen, weren't able to fully feel your emotions, or be yourself
- Emotional dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, frequent emotional overwhelm, or numbness
- Negative self-concept: Feelings of worthlessness, self-doubt, and deep-seated shame
- Relationship difficulties: Struggles with intimacy, trust, and forming healthy connections
The effects of developmental trauma can extend beyond emotional challenges, leading to chronic physical conditions such as digestive disorders, autoimmune issues, and chronic fatigue. Individuals may unconsciously develop survival strategies, such as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and intellectualization, to cope with overwhelming emotions and unmet childhood needs.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Healing from complex trauma requires more than just talk therapy. It involves addressing the body’s nervous system, attachment patterns, and deeply ingrained survival strategies. Our trauma-informed therapy integrates two powerful modalities, Somatic Experiencing (SE™) and the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™) to support holistic healing.
Somatic Experiencing (SE™):
SE focuses on resolving physiological dysregulation by tracking bodily sensations and releasing stored trauma energy. This method allows clients to move from states of hypervigilance or shutdown to a place of safety and presence. SE is particularly effective for treating shock trauma and chronic stress patterns.
The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™):
NARM is specifically designed to address developmental trauma by working with identity and relational patterns. This therapy helps uncover how past experiences shape present-day behaviors and self-perceptions, offering tools to break free from survival patterns such as:
- Overthinking and intellectualization as a freeze response
- Avoiding emotional vulnerability through control or perfectionism
- Chronic self-criticism and shame-based beliefs
Signs You May Benefit from Trauma Therapy
If you recognize any of the following symptoms, our trauma-informed therapy can support you:
- Persistent feelings of anxiety, depression, or numbness
- Difficulty forming or maintaining healthy relationships
- Chronic self-doubt and low self-esteem
- Feeling disconnected from your emotions or body
- Engaging in survival patterns such as intellectualization, people-pleasing, and perfectionism
- Unexplained physical symptoms such as tension, fatigue, or digestive issues
Whether you are struggling with the aftermath of a single traumatic event or the long-term effects of childhood trauma, seeking professional support can help you regain balance and resilience.
Our Approach to Trauma Healing
At our practice, we provide a compassionate, holistic approach to healing that integrates body-based, relational, attachment, and strengths-focused techniques. Our therapists create a safe space where clients can explore their experiences without judgment, working at their own pace to build self-trust, a felt sense of safety, nervous system regulation & flexibility, and resilience.
We believe in:
- A non-pathologizing approach that views symptoms as adaptive survival responses
- Helping clients reconnect with their authentic selves and find empowerment
- Using evidence-based, mind & body-focused modalities to address trauma at its root
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Finding the right support for trauma recovery can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team of trauma-informed therapists is here to guide you with personalized care that honors your unique journey.
Take the first step today—schedule a consultation to learn how trauma therapy can help you reclaim your life.