What does the word trauma mean?

Trauma is often categorized as “Big T” trauma—events such as car accidents, war, violence or assault. More recent research, however, highlights the impact of “small t” traumas. These are ongoing experiences where a person lacks the tools to cope or the ability to reach resolution. Examples include workplace issues, family conflict, or repeated microaggressions that never seem to resolve or end. Research has shown that, over time, these “small t” traumas can have just as significant an impact on our well-being as “Big T” traumas.

How do I know if something that happened to me is traumatic?

Trauma is measured less by the event itself and more by the impact it has on a person. You may recognize something as traumatic if the experience has led you to:

• Feeling less safe in the world and hard time trusting people
• Decreased self-worth, shame and constant self criticism
• A constant need to be in control
• Excessive clinginess in relationships or avoiding people altogether
• Feeling triggered by reminders of the traumatic incident
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Intense anxiety or depression
• Feeling stuck or powerless

Why its important to get help?

When we have been traumatized, we often navigate the world from a place of fear, control, and avoidance. This can significantly affect our quality of life, leading to further isolation and disconnection from ourselves and from those around us.

Goals We Can Help You Work on if You Have Experienced Trauma:

Provide education on trauma and the ways in which it impacts your body and mind

Help you identify unhelpful coping strategies that may be stemming from your traumatic experience

Develop healthier coping strategies to better manage your trauma responses

Help you move out of survival and a sense of fragmentation to feeling whole and integrated

If requested, draw from Islamic teachings and wisdom to help you move through the traumatic incident