Whether it’s a single event, ongoing stress, or years of relational wounds, trauma changes the way you move through the world.
It might be tied to a specific experience or stem from the cumulative impact of childhood neglect, workplace stress, or harmful relationships.
Trauma
However it shows up, trauma changes the way you think, feel, and respond.
You might not even call it trauma yet. Maybe you’re noticing that certain situations or relationships make you feel small, scared, or confused. Not knowing exactly how you feel is okay. You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting therapy — figuring it out is part of the work.
What Trauma Looks Like
Common trauma symptoms
Body
- Hyperarousal (being easily startled or feeling on edge)
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares)
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Muscle tension or aches
- Headaches or migraines
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, stomach pain, irritable bowel symptoms)
- Increased heart rate or rapid breathing
Mind
- Intrusive thoughts or memories related to the trauma
- Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again)
- Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
- Memory problems (forgetting aspects of the trauma or day-to-day forgetfulness)
- Negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world ("I am broken," "I can’t trust anyone")
- Dissociation (feeling disconnected from oneself or reality)
Feelings
- Persistent feelings of fear, anxiety, or panic
- Depression or persistent sadness
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
- Mood swings or irritability
- Difficulty experiencing joy or positive emotions
Functioning
- Avoidance of people, places, or activities associated with traumatic events
- Risky or self-destructive behaviors (substance use, self-harm)
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Re-enacting the trauma in thoughts, behaviors, or relationships (seeking out familiar, harmful dynamics)
From the Bottom Up: Body, Mind, and Parts Working Together
At Stokewell Counseling, we use approaches that go beyond “How does that make you feel?” Trauma doesn’t just exist in your thoughts and feelings–it’s also stored in your nervous system, often beyond words. That’s why we focus on bottom-up approaches like EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Coherence Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as Parts Work. Some sessions might feel intense. Others might feel lighter, even playful, as we laugh at life’s absurdities and celebrate breakthroughs. It’s all part of the process.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
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Somatic Experiencing
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Coherence Therapy
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IFS/Parts Work
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By tapping into your brain’s natural ability to heal, EMDR helps reprocess distressing memories so they lose their hold on you. It’s not about forgetting the past but finding a way to live alongside it with more ease.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
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Somatic Experiencing
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Coherence Therapy
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IFS/Parts Work
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This approach helps you tune into your body’s signals, releasing stored tension and building a sense of safety from the inside out. We’ll work to calm your nervous system, reduce hypervigilance, and reconnect you to the present moment.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
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Somatic Experiencing
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Coherence Therapy
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IFS/Parts Work
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Together, we’ll uncover the deep, often unconscious emotional truths tied to your trauma. By bringing these patterns to light, we’ll help shift long-held beliefs and reactions, creating space for meaningful change.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
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Somatic Experiencing
+
Coherence Therapy
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IFS/Parts Work
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Trauma often fragments us into parts that carry different emotions, beliefs, and protective strategies. Through Parts Work, we’ll get to know these inner parts of you — the ones that feel stuck in pain, the ones trying to keep you safe, and even the ones that might be resisting healing. By building a compassionate relationship with these parts, we’ll help your system find balance, integration, and peace.
Trauma therapy isn’t about arriving at a perfect “healed” version of yourself. It’s about making space for all the parts of you — the pain, the resilience, the joy, and the struggle. It’s about learning how to live in a way that feels more integrated and balanced. You don’t have to keep saying, “I’m fine” when you’re not. Let’s chart a path that gets you to a place where “I’m fine” isn’t just something you say — it’s something you actually feel. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation. No pressure, no obligation — just an opportunity to explore what’s next.
Taking the Next Step...
