Trauma can exert a significant impact on our lives, influencing both our mental and physical well-being. It can make it hard to feel like ourselves and achieve what we want in life. For some of us our brains can get stuck on constant high alert after a traumatic event, oscillating between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn trauma responses, while for others certain trauma triggers —such as relationship disappointments, rejection, feeling misunderstood, loud noises, or crowded places—can elicit a trauma response. Seeking Therapy to work through past traumas can truly be life changing.

In the face of adversity, our bodies and minds often react instinctively to protect us. This primal response is deeply ingrained within us and can manifest in various ways, known as trauma responses. There are four types of trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. These trauma responses are deeply rooted in our biology and have evolved over time to help us survive threatening situations to increase our chances of survival.

As awareness of the prevalence and impact of trauma continues to grow, so too does the need for accessible resources and information to aid in trauma therapy. We’ve put together a glossary of key terms you’ll commonly encountered in trauma therapy with us. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself or supporting a loved one through their healing journey, having a solid understanding of these terms can enhance communication, foster empowerment, and contribute to a more informed and effective therapeutic experience.