Is Trauma Affecting Your Life, but You’re Not Sure?

Many people experience trauma, but not everyone knows it. The key question isn’t whether you’ve experienced trauma, but rather, what kind of impact has it had on your life? Trauma is personal — it’s any event that overwhelms your ability to cope at the time. And sometimes, trauma isn’t just from one big incident; it can stem from a series of smaller, repeated events that accumulate over time.

While car accidents, abuse, and war are commonly recognized as trauma, other life events, like the breakdown of a marriage, deep betrayal, loss of a loved one or pet (grief), or a move, can also leave lasting scars. These events shape how you view yourself and your relationships.

Trauma Affects More Than Just Your Mind — It Shapes Your Whole Being

The effects of trauma can show up in many ways. You might feel disconnected from your emotions, constantly on edge, or afraid to trust others. Relationships might feel difficult — you may struggle with vulnerability or intimacy. Trauma can make it hard to feel safe in your own body, or you may even find yourself reliving painful memories or flashbacks that interfere with your daily life. Sleep may be elusive, and nightmares might keep you awake at night.

You might also wonder, Why can’t I just feel normal and move on like other people?

Trauma doesn’t just impact your thoughts; it affects how you move through the world, interact with others, and even feel about yourself.

Trauma Can Be Small, Repetitive Events — But They Still Matter

Trauma isn’t always a single, dramatic event; sometimes, it’s a gradual accumulation of smaller hurts that build up over time. You may be experiencing trauma symptoms if you grew up in an environment that made you feel inadequate or unworthy of love or you’ve been told that taking care of yourself is selfish, causing guilt whenever you try to prioritize your needs or you grew up in a household where one or both parents were absent (either emotionally or physically) causing you to avoid being vulnerable with your current partner.

The messages we receive — especially during childhood (ACE SURVEY) — can shape how we view ourselves and the world around us. These smaller, constant emotional wounds can leave deep marks, even if they weren’t the result of one huge crisis.

I understand how these experiences impact your mental and emotional well-being. And my goal is to help you heal from those wounds, letting go of the shame, guilt, and negative self-talk that trauma can leave behind.

Trauma Therapy in Dublin, Ohio: A New Beginning

So if you're struggling with trauma or PTSD, therapy could help you feel seen and understood — without judgment. My practice is designed to give you the space and support you need to heal at your own pace, to focus on breaking free from negative patterns, reclaiming your sense of self-worth, and rebuilding trust in your relationships.

You don’t have to carry the burden of trauma alone.

Specialized Therapy for Trauma and PTSD

Fostering Fortitude has worked hard to become highly trained in trauma therapy and PTSD/C-PTSD treatment. Exert experience working with individuals who have experienced a wide range of traumatic events, from emotional abuse and neglect to more overt traumas like assault and accidents. With the right guidance, you can overcome shame, develop healthier coping strategies, and regain a sense of agency in your life.

Why Finding the Right Support is So Crucial

Unfortunately, many survivors of trauma struggle to find the right kind of support. Our western culture often minimizes or overlooks the impact of trauma, especially when it comes to less obvious or invisible wounds. It’s tough when others say, ‘Everyone has bad things happen’, ‘You should be fine by now’ or ‘Time will make it better,’ as if your experience doesn’t deserve validation.

And not everyone around you will understand the far-reaching effects of trauma on your mental and physical health (ACE SURVEY). Even those well-meaning friends or family members may offer advice that doesn’t help. In some cases, you may even have had a therapist in the past that felt dismissive.

At Fostering Fortitude, I believe in meeting you where you are and creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for you to heal. You are not to blame for the pain you’ve experienced, and we’ll never minimize the impact of what you’ve been through.

Healing Approaches We Use in Therapy

My approach to trauma healing combines several proven therapeutic techniques:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This method helps individuals process distressing memories by facilitating the brain’s natural healing processes. You won’t have to recount your trauma over and over; EMDR helps you reframe and integrate difficult memories without overwhelming your mind.

• Polyvagal Theory: Polyvagal Theory focuses on understanding the role of the nervous system in trauma and how it impacts our reactions to stress, safety, and connection. This approach helps you learn how your body responds to trauma and provides tools to regulate your nervous system, so you can feel more grounded and safe in your own body. It focuses on calming the body's “fight-or-flight” response and re-establishing a sense of safety, both internally and in relationships.

• Ego State Therapy: Ego State Therapy focuses on understanding the different parts of yourself that may have developed in response to trauma. These "parts" can include younger versions of yourself or different emotional states that hold onto past pain. By recognizing and working with these parts, we can help you heal and integrate them into your whole self, allowing you to feel more balanced and connected.