Trauma vs Being Traumatised
The word "trauma" is chucked around all over the place these days, but these conversations can tend to lack nuance. It's important to differentiate between experiencing a traumatic event and being traumatised, as they are not the same thing.
Experiencing a traumatic event refers to the occurrence of the event itself, such as a car crash, a natural disaster or an assault - all the classics!
Being traumatised, on the other hand, refers to the psychological and emotional responses to the event, which may include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, low self-worth, and/or dissociation.
However, not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will experience traumatisation (are you still with me?) The experience of trauma is unique to each individual and how much it impacts us afterwards can be influenced by loads of factors - genetics, previous experiences, coping mechanisms, support systems, and what happens immediately after the event, to name a few. Additionally, the severity and duration of the traumatic event can contribute to the likelihood of developing trauma-related symptoms.
For those who have experienced traumatisation, living with the impacts can be debilitating. Seeking therapy can help, but it's important to find a therapist who is familiar with working with trauma and can do so safely to minimise the risk of retraumatisation. This can occur if an inexperienced therapist unintentionally triggers a trauma response in their client, exacerbating trauma-related symptoms and making it difficult for the client to engage in therapy.
Having spent six years working with survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, I’ve come to lean on the three step model of trauma informed therapy. But what are the three steps, I hear you cry? I thought you’d never ask.
Step One: Establishing Safety
The first step involves creating a safe and supportive environment where you can build trust in the therapeutic relationship and feel comfortable sharing your experiences and emotions. This may include simple things like a private room with a comfortable sofa, a cup of tea, and tissues or fidget toys. We will also work on establishing healthy coping mechanisms and minimizing the harm of unhealthy coping strategies, developing grounding techniques, and a safety plan so you can process your trauma safely. Identifying and addressing any immediate safety concerns is also important before processing the trauma itself.
Step Two: Processing the Traumatic Experiences
The second step involves exploring your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the traumatic event. You don't need to talk about the specific details of the event itself. Instead, we will focus on how it felt and how it's influenced how you see the world. By breaking down your trauma into smaller chunks, such as unhelpful thinking patterns or relationship issues, we can help you process the trauma and turn it into a memory that doesn't feel so overwhelming.
Step Three: Integrating the Experiences
The final step involves integrating the traumatic experiences into your life. We will work on developing coping strategies and skills to manage ongoing trauma-related symptoms, such as developing a new narrative around your experiences and finding meaning in them.
If you’re considering therapy because of traumatisation, don’t hesitate to get in touch. It can be a scary and vulnerable thing to face your demons head on, but know that because of the three step model, you’ll never be asked to talk about things that you aren’t ready to talk about. Get in touch via redclaypsychotherapy@gmail.com to schedule in a taster session and find out if I feel like the right fit for you.
