Trauma is anything that overwhelms our ability to cope and activates the nervous system beyond its natural capacity. It’s not just something that happens to us- it’s something that lives within us, often long after the event has passed. Trauma for most is a fact of life. Yet the paradox of trauma is powerful: while it has the potential to destroy, it also carries the capacity to transform, heal, and radically awaken a deeper understanding of who we are at a core level.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is the emotional response to an incident- or a series of experiences- that are deeply disturbing or pose a threat to life or safety. The impact of trauma can reach far beyond the event itself, creating long-term effects on our physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.

Three Types of Trauma

Acute Trauma- This results from a single, overwhelming incident such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault. (Identified as PTSD)
Chronic Trauma- Trauma that is prolonged or repeated over time, such as domestic violence, bullying, or childhood neglect.
Complex Trauma- Caused by exposure to multiple, invasive, and often interpersonal traumatic events. This type is particularly common in those with a history of childhood trauma. (CPTSD)

Exposure to trauma can make us more vulnerable overall, often leading to the development of mental health conditions such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or CPTSD (Complex PTSD). Individuals may turn to substances or other coping mechanisms to manage painful memories and emotions, resulting in difficulty functioning in daily life.

Recognising Symptoms of CPTSD

Those living with Complex PTSD may experience a range of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms, including:

Vivid flashbacks and nightmares
Self-isolation and withdrawal
Persistent depression and emotional numbness
Substance abuse and avoidant behaviours
Heightened alertness (hyper-arousal) and panic attacks
Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
Insomnia and chronic fatigue
Negative outlook on life and an overriding feeling hopelessness
Emotional dysregulation and difficulty showing affection
Struggles with maintaining relationships and daily responsibilities
Physical symptoms like nausea, pain, sweating, and tension

Healing Through the Body: The Somatic Approach

The word “Soma” comes from ancient Greek and means “body.” In somatic practice, healing is approached holistically-through mind, body, and spirit-with an emphasis on internal bodily experience, not just mental processes.

In Western culture, we tend to prioritize cognitive therapy over a more holistic approach. We analyse, think, and rationalize every experience we have. While these methods can be helpful, they often neglect our intuition & body’s wisdom-our felt experience. When trauma disconnects us from our body’s natural awareness, we become dissociated, living mostly in our heads and away from fully feeling.

But you can’t think your way into healing- You have to feel it.

This is where somatic healing and polyvagal theory come in. They offer a “bottom-up” approach to healing, focusing on regulating the nervous system by first addressing the body’s state. When the body feels safe, the mind begins to follow and in turn long lasting healing occurs.

Somatic Regulation Techniques for Healing

Building awareness and learning to self-regulate can lead to profound healing. Here are some simple, yet powerful somatic practices:

Safe place visualization -Imagining a place where you feel safe and grounded
Connecting with nature - Re-establishing a relationship with the earth
Diaphragmatic (deep belly) breathing – Calming the nervous system
Humming or singing - Stimulating the Vagus nerve and promoting relaxation
Journaling - Expressing and processing thoughts and emotions
Sharing and connecting within Therapeutic container - Creating co-regulation and trust.
Tapping (EFT) -A method for emotional regulation and stress relief
Movement and mindful embodiment - Medicinal movement, yoga and free dance
Mindfulness and meditation- Becoming present with what is, noticing our emotional state and connecting to higher self.

The Path Forward

Trauma may shape our story, but it does not have to define our future. Healing is possible and it begins by reconnecting with ourselves through our bodies. When we integrate somatic practices into our lives, we move from surviving to truly living in whatever state arises. In honouring both our pain and our potential, we begin to reclaim our wholeness.

Abundant Love,

Georgie x

Defining Trauma: Understanding, Healing, and Reconnecting.