Trauma refers to a deeply disturbing or distressing event.  A traumatic event, either singular or multiple, can completely overwhelm an individual’s ability to understand and address the event.  A psychological emotional trauma impacts an individual’s clarity of thoughts and feelings regarding the trauma.  Recent research has show that a psychological emotional trauma can occur after a car accident, loss of a loved one, sudden loss of job and other similar experiences.  Trauma can have a negative impact on one’s body, mind and spirit.

Regardless of the cause, trauma has three elements:

·      It was unexpected

·      The person was unprepared

·      There was nothing the person could do to stop it

Some signs of trauma are:

·      Flashbacks and nightmares

·      Depression

·      Anxiety

·      Emotional numbness

·      Sleep problems

·      Anger outbursts

·      Substance abuse

·      Challenges maintaining relationships

Due to the nature of traumatic events, a person is not in control and is left feeling powerless and helpless.  Our survival response can have many people block or avoid the event as a coping strategy.  Shame can be one of the biggest factors that inhibit people coming for help.  However, the impact of traumatic events do not go away and can shape the way a person views life.  Counselling can help people work through the emotional pain and healing caused by a traumatic event.