Psychological trauma is a profound event that upends our entire world. It shatters our sense of safety, leaving us adrift and unmoored. These life events erode our ability to trust ourselves and others. They impact our body, mind, spirit and connection to our higher self, leaving a lasting imprint, making us hypervigilant or causing us to shut down emotionally, isolated from connections with ourselves and others. Healing is a journey to reclaim that sense of safety and trust, rebuild our inner strength and rediscover our sense of self amidst the pain.

Trauma is often related to childhood attachment wounds, abuse and societal discrimination. While severe traumas like physical or sexual abuse and significant events such as car accidents are still common, some trauma manifests over time. With the growing awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and their impact, it is clear that unresolved trauma can profoundly affect both physical health and social functioning. Individuals with a history of ACE often face an increase in health problems and difficulties in daily life because these experiences can lead to chronic stress and lasting physiological changes. This underscores the importance of addressing trauma comprehensively, considering both its emotional roots and its broader impacts on health and social behavior.

Some of the most transformative treatments for trauma include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. These approaches are proving to be game-changers, offering powerful avenues for healing. Whether through rewiring the brain, addressing the body’s responses to trauma or exploring new ways to process and integrate difficult experiences, these methods are making a significant impact on recovery and well-being. Breathing techniques, mindful self-compassion meditations and yoga nidra can also do wonders to catalyze the healing mechanisms of the nervous system.

Bonnie King, Ph.D., LPC-S, is the owner of Counseling and Nature Therapy Center, located at 5899 Preston Rd., in Frisco. For appointments and more information, call 214-307-2582, email [email protected] or visit CounselNature.com.