Trauma is a profound response to overwhelming or distressing events that can leave individuals feeling vulnerable and disempowered. These experiences may include abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or prolonged stress. However, trauma is not just the event itself; it is the enduring impact on the body and mind, disrupting a person’s sense of safety and connection. This leads to patterns of behavior that may hinder well-being. Trauma affects each person differently, and even the same event can trigger varied emotional, physical, and mental responses. While some recover quickly, others find the experience lingering and influencing their daily lives. If unresolved, trauma can become ingrained in the nervous system, potentially leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (C-PTSD), affecting around one-third of those who experience trauma.
PTSD develops after traumatic events and often includes signs such as intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and sleep disturbances, severe anxiety and panic attacks, significantly impairing daily life. Factors like past experiences and support systems influence how a person copes, meaning trauma doesn’t affect everyone the same way.
Trauma experts like Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Peter Levine emphasise that trauma is defined not by the event itself but by its impact on the person. Dr. Maté shares that trauma is not what happened to us, but what happened inside of us as a result of what happens to us in the absence of an empathic witness. He notes that trauma occurs when the natural stress response system is overwhelmed, often leading to long-term emotional, mental, and physical challenges. Dr. Levine further explains that unresolved trauma is stored in the body, and its physical responses can impede healing. Both experts agree that trauma healing requires a dual focus: understanding the event and supporting the body and mind’s recovery.
Healing trauma requires a trauma-informed, compassionate, and integrative approach, incorporating both top-down and bottom-up methods. The top-down approach engages the mind, while the bottom-up approach addresses the body’s sensations. Each person’s trauma is unique, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Healing takes time and is guided by an individual’s window of tolerance—ensuring a safe, supportive environment before intervention. This foundational safety enables nervous system regulation and resilience, leading to deeper healing and lasting change.
Trauma, a deeply impactful response to distressing events, can leave those affected profoundly vulnerable. These events span a range of experiences, from physical or sexual abuse to violence, neglect, accidents, natural disasters, and prolonged stress. Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s work underscores that trauma isn’t merely the external event itself; it’s the enduring impact it has on a person’s psyche. Trauma transcends the immediate occurrence, plunging individuals into feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and behavior patterns that can be detrimental to their well-being.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise from experiencing or witnessing trauma. This disorder brings about intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing, often significantly impairing an affected person’s capacity to navigate daily life.
According to Dr. Maté’s insights, the development of PTSD isn’t solely contingent upon the traumatic event itself. Instead, it hinges on a person’s capacity to cope with the experience. Those who have encountered previous traumas or lack adequate support and resources are more susceptible to its development.
Navigating the complexities of trauma and PTSD demands a comprehensive and holistic approach. Through therapies like Trauma-informed Somatic Integration Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Psychotherapy, enhanced by Breathwork and Movement Therapy, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, individuals gain essential tools to effectively manage their symptoms and embark on a journey toward a more fulfilling life. This integrated strategy acknowledges the dysregulated nervous system’s impact, the sensation of unsafety in the present moment, the disconnection between mind and body, and the activation of Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn (FFFF) modes. By addressing these elements, the path to healing and resilience becomes illuminated, allowing those affected to regain control and thrive.
Trauma and PTSD can manifest in various ways. Common signs and symptoms include:
These signs and symptoms often disrupt daily functioning, highlighting the importance of addressing trauma with compassionate, trauma-informed therapies.
Healing trauma creates opportunities for growth, connection, and empowerment. Some benefits include:
Trauma-informed Psychotherapy and Counselling for trauma and PTSD provide a safe and supportive environment to explore the complexities of trauma and its impact on mental health. These therapeutic approaches facilitate the processing of traumatic experiences and aid in building coping strategies.
Clinical Hypnotherapy for trauma and PTSD offers a powerful tool for trauma and PTSD treatment. By focusing on solutions and empowering one to reframe their perspectives and rewire thought patterns, this therapy can help establish safety in the present moment and reduce the emotional burden associated with traumatic memories.
Exploring therapy for trauma and PTSD with Trauma-informed Somatic Integration Therapy offers a transformative approach to healing trauma and PTSD. This specialized therapy focuses on the body’s innate ability to process and release traumatic experiences. Through guided awareness of bodily sensations and gentle exercises, it facilitates the resolution of trauma stored in the nervous system, promoting a sense of safety and resilience.
Breathwork and Movement Therapy, in conjunction with clinical modalities, contribute to a comprehensive approach. Breathwork and Movement therapy to manage the symptoms of trauma and PTSD enhances mind-body integration and emotional regulation. It calms the FFFF responses and fosters inner resilience by integrating intentional breathing and movement practices.
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy for trauma and PTSD symptoms with clinical modalities, provides a gentle approach to addressing trauma’s impact on the nervous system. This therapy supports nervous system regulation and relaxation, promoting overall well-being.
The Neuro-alignment Program leverages neuroscience and neuroplasticity to rewire trauma-related neural pathways. This program aids in retraining the brain’s responses, promoting healing and recovery from trauma-related symptoms.
Trauma refers to the experience and its impact, while PTSD is a diagnosable condition resulting from unresolved trauma.
Yes, trauma is subjective. Even events perceived as “minor” can overwhelm an individual’s capacity to cope.
Trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, causing chronic tension, pain, and difficulty returning to a relaxed state.
Many individuals experience significant improvement through trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive integrated therapies, though healing is often a gradual process.
Polyvagal theory explains how the vagus nerve governs nervous system responses, highlighting the role of safety and connection in healing trauma.
Somatic therapy focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body, helping to restore balance and calm to the nervous system.
No, trauma therapies benefit anyone experiencing emotional stress, dysregulation, or unresolved past experiences.
The timeline varies; some see improvements quickly, while others may take longer to process and integrate healing.
Integrated therapy addresses trauma and PTSD through both psychological and somatic approaches. Psychological techniques help process emotional wounds, while somatic therapies focus on releasing physical tension stored in the body. This combined approach restores the nervous system’s balance, promoting relaxation, emotional regulation, and trauma healing. By addressing both the mind and body, integrated therapy creates a comprehensive treatment plan that supports the individual’s journey toward healing and resilience, offering a safe and holistic path to recovery.
An integrated approach can be highly effective when one therapist is trained in multiple modalities and offers dual support, combining cognitive and somatic therapies within one session. However, if a client’s needs extend beyond the scope of a single therapist, a co-caring collaborative approach between a cognitive therapist and a somatic therapist can be introduced. This allows each therapist to bring their expertise, offering a more holistic, personalized care plan, recognizing that no single approach works for everyone and that healing requires tailored support across different dimensions of a person’s experience.
For more information on our services for trauma and PTSD therapy in Singapore, please WhatsApp us at (65) 89422211 or email us at [email protected]
"Trauma is not what happens to you, it's what happens
inside you as a result of what happened to you."
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Sol Therapy
The Riverside Piazza
11 Keng Cheow Street,
#02-03 Singapore 059608
(65) 8942 2211 .
[email protected]