Trauma

When we think about trauma, we often associate it with a feeling of pain, loss, and suffering. Although these are inevitable components of a negative experience, I also try to examine the lessons and strength that can be gained by these experiences. Throughout my clinical practices I have see that many of my clients have been exposed to some type of abuse or neglect. I continue to be amazed at the resiliency these clients embody. Many of them have very limited stability in their lives with few social and family supports. However, I believe that when their basic needs are met and their loved ones make an effort to support them, they can still grow and work through their past trauma.

Many of us have heard or experienced a tragic story of neglect, abuse, and/or losing loved ones. My theoretical outlook values a person’s choice. I believe that undeniably we play a key factor in determining how we will address the experiences in our life. During the course of life everyone will have something unfair, unjust, and just plain wrong happen to impact their life. My goal is to process how the trauma has impacted their life and then empower a person to decide how they want to move forth in their life. After we spend time remembering the past I seek to help clients shift their focus to the present. We will also addressed several valuable questions such as: What can I learn from this experience? What do I want to remember? What do I want to forget? How

can this bring me closer to my supports? How do I want to move forward from this experience? Many who have experienced trauma don’t consider themselves victims, but survivors. I challenge all of us to tackle the negativity that comes our way and gain strength from surviving.