Just as there is pain, there is healing
While we are often aware of our problems, it is not unusual to lack insight into what might be causing them. In particular, the link between current day issues and past traumas can be hard for us to recognise.
We carry unresolved situations within us as personal wounds, and their effects manifest in a range of ways. For example, you might notice a tendency to overreact to relatively minor events, experiencing strong feelings like anger, fear or shame. Chronic irritability and anger (often linked to PTSD) are trauma manifestations that can be particularly problematic.
Having experienced trauma-like abuse or neglect early in life can have a life-long impact on our self esteem, coping skills and relationships — with others and ourselves. Trying to avoid situations that remind us of the trauma is an understandable but damaging protective strategy. Dissociating and numbing difficult emotions though substance use or self harm are other very troubling reactions.
How counselling or psychotherapy can help
Carrying guilt or blame for a trauma weighs us down with a sense of worthlessness. Struggles with intimacy, trust and boundaries make relationships difficult, and where a relationship was the source of the trauma, we may choose to become further isolated.
The process of understanding and reconstructing can be a long one, and the time has to be right, but the rewards can be life changing.
Childhood trauma & parenting
Unresolved childhood traumas can manifest years later when parenting ourselves, so it is important to seek help. Unfortunately, people who did not receive adequate parenting themselves seem to struggle when they become parents. Professional counselling can help you find joy in parenting, and is an important step in processing unhealed attachment injuries and breaking the chronic cycle of abuse and neglect.
“And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
I am ready when you are
I am ready when you are
You are struggling with PTSD and complex trauma and are looking for an experienced therapist in Prahran and South Yarra
© Christine Weber Counselling and Psychotherapy
Locations | Prahran | Malvern | South Yarra | Elwood | Windsor | Caulfiled | St Kilda