Bridges Counselling - Christian Marriage Relationship Counsellors Parramatta Sydney

Trauma Counselling

Some thoughts by Magdalena Liem

Trauma may occur in two ways:

  • Direct experience, where the survivor experiences a horrible incident or treatment
  • Second-hand experience such as hearing or witnessing a horrible incident  or treatment

It is common that traumatised people suffer psychological trauma, where they experience a conflict between wanting to deny the horrible events and to proclaim it. They often alternate between feeling numb and reliving the event.

How can I identify trauma?

Traumatised people may show some of the responses below:

  • Emotional/feeling responses, such as anxiety, depression, numb feelings, sudden mood shifts, guilt and shame, fear, etc.
  • Cognitive/thought responses, such as nightmares, hyper-vigilance, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or images, reliving the experience, dissociation, etc.
  • Physical responses, such as shock symptoms, difficulty breathing, constant headaches, profuse sweating, vomiting/nausea, somatic disturbance, hyper-arousal – extra sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, touches and tastes associated with the traumatic event, etc.
  • Behavioural responses, such as withdrawal, increased or decreased appetite, avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, heightened startle reactions, pacing, substance abuse, suicidal, etc.
  • Interpersonal responses, such as difficulty in forming intimate relationships, sexual problems, re-victimisation, suspiciousness, etc.

How can I deal with trauma?

Many people survive a trauma and are able to reconstruct their lives without outside help. However, some others need outside intervention to deal with their trauma. Getting the right professional help with an experienced Counsellor in this area will help the traumatised person to overcome their trauma and to build new connections between them and their community.

How can Counselling help the traumatised person?

Counselling helps the traumatised person begin their recovery when:

  • the truth is finally acknowledged and believed
  • safety is established
  • the trauma story is reconstructed
  • the survivor is empowered
  • new connections between the survivor and their community are created

 

Ring Bridges Counselling if you wish to discuss how we may be able to help you.

Bridges Counselling - Hills Parramatta

Enquiries: 0415 752 544

Ring us and you will be recommended a choice of counsellors qualified and experienced for your situation.

Email: info@BridgesCounselling.com.au

Bridges Counselling Parramatta is a team of professional counsellors and psychologists, specialising in marriage, family and individual counselling.