Trauma Is Personal. Healing Should Be, Too.

What’s traumatic for one person might not be for another—and that doesn’t make anyone’s experience less real, less painful, or less worthy of care.

At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we believe no one should ever feel like their trauma “wasn’t bad enough” to matter. If something impacted you deeply, it’s valid. And support is available.

Whether you’ve lived with the effects of trauma for years or are just now starting to recognize its role in your story, therapy can help you make sense of your experiences and begin to heal—on your terms.

Understanding Trauma: It’s More Common Than We Think

Trauma isn’t just about major, life-threatening events. It’s anything that overwhelms your ability to cope and leaves a lasting impact on how you see yourself, others, or the world.

Some common sources of trauma include:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Neglect or emotional abandonment

• Domestic violence

• Bullying or psychological manipulation

• Loss of a parent or caregiver

• Medical trauma or chronic illness

• Car accidents, natural disasters, or acts of violence

• Racial, cultural, or generational trauma

• Growing up in a high-conflict, unpredictable, or emotionally unsafe environment

Trauma is not defined by the event alone—but by how it lives in your body and mind afterward.

Not All Trauma Leads to PTSD

Everyone responds to trauma differently. Experiencing trauma doesn’t mean you’ll develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—but it may leave lasting effects that deserve support.

Some people recover with time and support from their personal networks. Others may notice that symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily life.

No matter where you fall on that spectrum, you are not weak—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It involves ongoing emotional and physiological responses that don’t go away on their own.

Common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares

• Avoidance of people, places, or things that remind you of the trauma

• Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge

• Irritability, anger, or mood swings

• Trouble sleeping or concentrating

• Feeling detached or emotionally numb

• Negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world

PTSD can affect your relationships, work, and overall well-being—but healing is possible with the right support.

What Is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)?

Complex PTSD can result from repeated or long-term exposure to trauma—especially during childhood or in relationships where escape wasn’t possible.

Examples of experiences that may lead to C-PTSD include:

• Childhood abuse or neglect

• Domestic violence

• Human trafficking or captivity

• Repeated abandonment or betrayal

• Growing up in a chronically unsafe or unstable environment

In addition to traditional PTSD symptoms, C-PTSD often includes:

• Deep feelings of shame or worthlessness

• Difficulty trusting others or forming healthy relationships

• Emotional flashbacks

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness

• A fragmented sense of self

C-PTSD can take time to understand and heal from—but with trauma-informed care, recovery is possible.

Realizing Trauma Later in Life

Many people don’t recognize that they’ve experienced trauma until years—even decades—later.

You might begin to reflect on your past and realize that things you once considered “normal” were actually harmful, unsafe, or emotionally wounding.

This kind of insight can be disorienting, but it can also be empowering. Therapy offers a space to:

• Make sense of your past

• Understand how it may still be affecting you

• Begin to rewrite the narrative of your life with self-compassion and clarity

Signs You Might Benefit from Trauma Support

You may want to reach out if you notice:

• Emotional reactivity or numbness that doesn’t make sense to you

• Overwhelming anxiety, fear, or panic in “safe” situations

• Trouble trusting others or maintaining relationships

• A strong inner critic or feelings of shame

• Ongoing sleep issues or chronic fatigue

• A sense that you’re “stuck” in old patterns or survival mode

• Unexplained irritability or emotional outbursts

• Difficulty remembering parts of your past

• Feeling disconnected from your body, emotions, or identity

If any of this resonates—even slightly—it may be time to talk with someone. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse before seeking help.

How Therapy Helps You Heal from Trauma

At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we offer trauma-informed therapy that meets you with compassion, not judgment. We understand how trauma lives in the nervous system, emotions, and relationships—and we support you at your own pace.

In therapy, you can:

• Begin to process what happened—without having to relive it all at once

• Understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

• Build safety within your body and your environment

• Learn to recognize and regulate emotional and physical triggers

• Reconnect with parts of yourself that may feel lost or fragmented

• Reduce shame, develop self-trust, and reclaim your voice

Types of Therapy We Use for Trauma and PTSD

While we tailor therapy to each person, our work is grounded in approaches that have shown to be effective in healing trauma, including:

1. Trauma-Informed Talk Therapy

A gentle, supportive approach that allows you to explore your experiences at your own pace, without pressure to “dig deep” before you're ready.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and how they relate to trauma, offering tools for reducing emotional distress and building resilience.

3. Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Informed Work

Supports connection to different parts of yourself—especially those that formed in response to trauma—and helps them heal in a compassionate way.

4. Mindfulness and Somatic Awareness

Brings attention to how trauma lives in the body, and helps develop a sense of safety and regulation through grounding techniques and present-moment awareness.

Trauma-Informed Care at Growth Era Counseling & Wellness

We recognize that healing from trauma requires safety, trust, and choice.

That’s why all therapy at Growth Era Counseling & Wellness is trauma-informed—which means:

• We don’t push or pathologize

• We honor your pace and your boundaries

• We understand how trauma affects your nervous system, behavior, and emotions

• We focus on empowerment and collaboration—not fixing or “getting over” it

You Are Not Broken—You Are Responding to What Happened

Trauma may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your future. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to go through it alone.

If you're ready to begin processing trauma or exploring how past experiences may be impacting you now, we’re here to support you with care and compassion.