Trauma isn’t always what people think it is. Usually there is a pattern through time that people portray in their lives, within themselves and/or their relationships. Oftentimes this comes from a belief about themselves or the world that was created from an experience or repeated experiences in childhood. Examples: My feelings weren’t validated as a kid. I never saw my parents hug each other. I was alone a lot. I didn’t feel safe either physical, emotionally or both. I was bullied in school. My teacher told me I was dumb. It can also be what many people think of as the big stuff (abuse, accidents, war, witnessing domestic violence) but often it’s what I call “the slow drip” that happens repeatedly through time that wears down our confidence, our belief in ourselves, our ability to feel safe in the world with our emotions, with our bodies and/or with our selves.

There are ways to shift the beliefs, decrease or eliminate the triggers and find a solid foundation to stand on. I don’t know all the different ways this is accomplished, but I have a found a path through a combination of parts work, EMDR and group work that creates significant lasting change for people.

There is hope. Find the path that works for you. It is possible to find a different reality than the one you’re living in now.

Copyright © 2023 Chelsey Fjeldheim, Courage Speaks Counseling