Trauma Counselling
“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams, healing can begin.”
– Danielle Bernock, Emerging With Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain, and the LOVE that Heals (2015)
Trauma is not the end of your story but the beginning of your journey towards healing and resilience. At Insightful Counselling, we are here to guide you through every step, helping you reclaim your strength and find peace.
Trauma refers to the psychological impact of an intensely distressing event that overwhelms an individual’s coping mechanisms. It leads to feelings of helplessness, disrupts one’s sense of self, and impairs the ability to experience a wide range of emotions. Trauma can stem from a single incident, a sequence of events, or situations perceived as physically or emotionally threatening.
– Acute Trauma: This results from a single incident, such as an accident, natural disaster, or sudden loss.
– Chronic Trauma: Trauma caused by repeated and prolonged exposure to high-stress events such as abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
– Complex Trauma: This involves exposure to multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature, such as childhood abuse or neglect.
Identifying the signs and symptoms of trauma can be challenging as they often go unnoticed. These symptoms are present in all types of trauma, although the severity and impact may vary from person to person.To help recognize these signs, here is a list of common trauma-associated symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
- Fatique
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- A weakened immune system
- Excessive sweating
- Consistently edgy
Emotional Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Anger
- Sadness
- Shame
- Guilt
- Irritability
- Numbness
- Denial
Cognitive Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
Negative beliefs about self like
- "I am not important"
- "Ï am not good enough"
- "Ï am worthless"
- "I am not lovable"
- "I am shameful"
Behavioural Symptoms
- Avoidance of certain places or activities
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Increased use of substances
- Low self-esteem
Trauma can arise from numerous events, affecting individuals on physical, emotional, and psychological levels. These events can be categorized into key areas to better understand their impact.
Big "T" Traumas
– Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
– Violent Crimes: Physical assaults, shootings, stabbings, and acts of terrorism.
– Severe Accidents: Car crashes, plane crashes, industrial accidents, and other serious injuries.
– War and Combat: Exposure to battle, military conflict, or being a victim of torture.
– Severe Abuse: Physical, sexual, or intense emotional abuse, particularly when it’s prolonged or during childhood.
– Sudden Loss: Unexpected death of a loved one or close friend.
– Life-Threatening Illnesses: Diagnosed with a severe or terminal disease or experiencing a significant medical emergency.
Small "T" Traumas
– Emotional Abuse: Persistent criticism, humiliation, or rejection.
– Bullying: Repeated bullying in school, at work, or online.
– Financial Difficulties: Chronic financial stress or sudden financial loss.
– Pet Loss: Death of a beloved pet, memories veiled in sorrow giving rise to trauma.
– Relationship Breakdowns: Significant breakups like divorce (parents or self or close family), conflict with partners or friends.
– Moving: Relocating to a new home or city, especially during formative years.
– Academic or Job Stress: Persistent stress related to school or work performance, change in job role etc., me
Trauma therapy is a specialised counselling approach designed to help individuals overcome emotional distress from traumatic experiences. It provides tools and techniques for healing and resilience, addressing symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Therapists use evidence-based practices such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting Therapy, and Flash Techniques tailored to each client’s unique needs.
At Insightful Counselling, we understand the profound impact of trauma. Our trauma therapy services offer a supportive environment to navigate and heal from emotional, physical, or psychological trauma, helping you reclaim a sense of well-being.
PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse are conditions caused by trauma that can have a long-term impact on mental health. Some symptoms that go unrecognised, especially due to small ‘T’ Traumas that may be ignored or discounted, can lead to low self-esteem and negative beliefs about self. It can affect an individual’s ability to function in daily life, impacting relationships, work, and overall well-being.
At Insightful Counselling, we understand the profound impact that trauma can have on your life. Our trauma-focused therapy services provide a supportive environment for navigating the intricate layers of trauma. Through our therapeutic approach, you can discover pathways to healing and reclaim a sense of well-being. Whether you’ve experienced emotional, physical, or psychological trauma, our experienced therapists are here to support you every step of the way.
At Insightful Counselling, we believe in the importance of holistic healing. This means addressing the psychological aspects of trauma and incorporating practices that promote overall well-being. Mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation can be integrated into your therapy plan to support physical and emotional health. These practices help reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance emotional regulation, contributing to a more balanced and holistic healing process.
Who Can Benefit from Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is beneficial for anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and is struggling with its aftermath. At Insightful Counselling, we deeply understand the profound impact that trauma can have on your life. Our trauma therapy services create a safe and supportive environment for navigating the intricate layers of trauma—whether it’s a big ‘T’ trauma (such as a major accident, assault, or natural disaster) or small ‘t’ traumas (like childhood adversity, emotional neglect, or ongoing stress). Through our therapeutic approach, you can discover pathways to healing and reclaim a sense of well-being and emotional resilience. Our experienced therapists are here to support you every step of the way.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy
- Personalised Treatment Plans: We create customised therapy plans based on your specific situation and needs.
- Safe and Supportive Environment: Our therapy sessions provide a safe space to express your feelings and experiences without judgment.
- Holistic Healin: We incorporate holistic practices to support your overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and mental health.
Our Counsellors for Trauma Counselling
Reena Goenka SAC Certified Counsellor & Clinical Supervisior
– Specializes in trauma therapy.
– She is a certified EMDR therapist and Brainspotting therapist
– She is a certified Transactional Analyst
– Over 15 years of experience helping clients heal from trauma and CPTSD.
– Known for her compassionate and empathetic approach.
Yap Huay Khem, MSc (Counseling), SAC Registered Member : Known for her calm and nonjudgmental demeanour, Yap Huay Khem equipped herself with various modalities, such as EMDR/Flash Technique, Brainspotting, Hypnotherapy, and Transactional Analysis, to help clients to explore, aware and resolve their trapped issues and emotions, thus improve their well-being and handling behaviours.
Lily Ng, MSc (Counseling), SAC Associate Member
Lily Ng holds a Master’s in Counselling and Social Organizational Psychology, with certifications in coaching and conflict resolution. She offers compassionate and empathetic support to individuals and couples, specializing in trauma and childhood trauma. Lily is also experienced in helping clients navigate relationship challenges, work-related stress, life transitions, and fostering self-esteem and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
During a trauma therapy session, you will work with a therapist to explore your traumatic experiences and their impact on your life. The therapist will use various techniques to help you process these experiences, develop coping strategies, and heal from your trauma.
The duration of trauma therapy varies depending on the individual’s needs and the severity of the trauma. Some people may find significant relief after a few sessions, while others may require longer-term therapy.
Yes, trauma therapy is highly effective in helping individuals process and overcome trauma. Techniques such as Trauma-focused therapy, EMDR and Brainspotting are evidence-based and have a strong track record of success.
Absolutely. Trauma therapy is specifically designed to help individuals with PTSD by addressing the root causes of their symptoms and providing them with tools to manage their condition.
Yes, we offer online trauma therapy sessions to provide flexible and convenient access to our services. These sessions are conducted via secure video conferencing platforms.
You can contact us through our website, email, or phone to get started. We will schedule an initial consultation to discuss your needs and determine the best approach for your therapy.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of trauma, don’t hesitate to reach out. Insightful Counselling is dedicated to helping you heal and move forward. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step towards recovery.
