The Lingering Effects of Trauma

Trauma has a way of leaving footprints—even long after the event is over.

Sometimes it comes from one overwhelming experience, other times from things that built up slowly over time. Either way, trauma can live on in the body and mind in ways you might not always connect to the past. You may notice it showing up in your daily life—sometimes quietly, sometimes all at once.

You might find yourself:

• Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled

• Numb, disconnected, or emotionally shut down

• Irritable or overwhelmed by even small stressors

• Struggling to trust others or feel safe

• Reliving painful memories—or avoiding them at all costs

• Stuck in “survival mode,” even when everything around you seems fine

These aren’t signs of weakness—they’re your nervous system’s way of protecting you after something it couldn’t fully process at the time.

The good news? Healing is possible.

In therapy, we take things step by step, creating a safe space where you don’t have to carry everything alone. One approach I often use is Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which helps you gently examine the beliefs and meanings that formed after trauma. Together, we work on untangling those old thought patterns so you can see yourself and your life with more clarity and compassion.

You don’t have to keep pretending you’re fine or pushing through on your own. With support, it’s possible to reconnect with yourself, feel more grounded in your body, and begin to move forward with greater ease.

If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep carrying this by yourself.