Trauma and abuse are more common than all of us would like to think.
“Trauma is not what happens to you, it is what happens inside you.”
— Gabor Maté
Sadly, we know that trauma and abuse are much more common than previously thought. People experience trauma during or after abuse of all kinds – sexual, physical, emotional, mental, and psychological.
A traumatic and abusive background can seriously affect how well you are able to function in your daily life.
In my Toronto practice, clients suffering from trauma and abuse often come to therapy because they have learned to cope with what have become unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors. These can include disordered eating, poor anger management, dissociation or disconnection from emotions, co-dependence, addiction and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
In some instances, clients can be unaware of their underlying trauma and abuse. For example, in order to survive, they may have forgotten or repressed memories of sexual abuse (including rape, sexual assault, and incest).
In other instances, clients may be able to recall some elements of the trauma and abuse, such as emotional neglect, but lack the skills and know-how to move beyond.
In still other instances, clients may have no idea that they have been traumatized – they might just see themselves as failures.
Healing is rarely a straightforward process
Dealing with the impact of trauma and abuse, like much of psychotherapy, is rarely a straightforward process. In my practice, I use a variety of approaches based on each client’s current needs and level of awareness.
If you are dealing with trauma and abuse — past or present — and would like some professional support, I’m here.
featured image from Pixabay