Counselling For Trauma Stoke

Understanding Trauma

When we hear the word trauma, we often think of major life events - abuse, accidents, violence, or disasters. And yes, these are certainly forms of trauma. But trauma can also be something much quieter; it can also live in the moments that overwhelmed your system - times when something was too much, too fast, or too soon. It can come from what did happen, or from what did not happen: the love, care, or safety you needed but did not receive. As Gabor Mate reminds us, “Trauma is not what happens to you, it is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.”

Recovering from trauma is a gradual process that takes time, care, and support, and unfolds in stages. 

The first step is about learning to feel safe and stable again  - learning ways to calm your body, manage strong emotions, and create a sense of stability in your daily life. Once you feel more grounded, the next phase is about gently exploring and making sense of what happened, at a pace that feels right for you. The final phase is about reconnection and integration - rebuilding trust in yourself and others, finding meaning, and moving forward with greater wholeness and resilience.

Trauma work isn’t about rushing through these stages, but about honouring your own pace and supporting your nervous system as it learns to feel safe again.