Trauma
Informed
Trauma informed means many things but is fundamentally a gentle investigation of how adverse experiences negatively impact one's patterns in life, choices and self-concept. On a very basic level, traumatic experiences "tune" our nervous systems to respond in consistent ways that are often not in our best interest. This often occurs outside of our awareness. Both horrific tragic events, such as a serious car accident, or repeated, seemingly less impactful experiences, as having a parent who consistently missed opportunities to get to know us for who we were as a child, can foster these negative consequences. This can happen even with loving well intentioned parents. These examples highlight the difference and similarities of single incident and complex trauma. These challenges to our nervous system and self-concept, can show up years and decades later as distressing bodily symptoms and limiting life patterns that leave us feeling stuck or depressed. Therapy can unwind the process that led one to their current state, and over time, create a sense of being released from the past in a fundamental way.