When we think of trauma, our minds often jump to the obvious hurts—experiences like bullying, abuse, or life-altering events. But trauma is not just about the bad things that happened. It can also be about the absence of good things—a lack of love, neglect, or the feeling of being abandoned. These quieter, less visible wounds can affect us just as deeply, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

Trauma doesn’t only live in the past; it manifests in our present, often in ways we might not immediately connect. Symptoms of trauma can show up as persistent anger or sadness, cycles of addictive behavior, feelings of shame or hopelessness, or even physical issues like chronic headaches, insomnia, or a constant lack of energy. The body remembers what the mind tries to forget.

So how do we heal? True healing requires more than just addressing the symptoms—it means getting to the root of the issue. This involves uncovering and gently challenging the beliefs and stories we’ve internalized about ourselves, often in response to our wounds. For many, the first step is finding someone who truly gets it—someone who can hold space for your story with compassion and without judgment. Being seen and heard in this way can be profoundly liberating and transformative.