Nobody longs to experience pain or suffering. Human instinct pushes us to avoid traumatic experiences at all costs. It is in our nature to seek comfort and safety. But pain and heartache are universal.

Some people experience trauma to a much greater degree than others, and while we may pity those who suffer, a good deal of research has shown that those who walk through a traumatic experience, and who learn to deal with and process their trauma in a healthy manner, have long-term positive results.

Many who experience trauma find a new resilience, and with the proper support can experience a renewed sense of self. Those same people are also often able to walk with others going through similar experiences much more gracefully and with greater empathy. In fact, research shows that between half and one-third of all people who have experienced a traumatic event come out stronger. Perspective is deepened, relationships are strengthened, and a general sense of mental fortitude is forged when a person finds healing after trauma. But healing doesn’t happen in secret, and it rarely happens alone. Seeking help from a therapist who is trained in trauma and understands the emotional phases of healing offers the best tool for seeing positive growth and change on the other side of trauma. At Christian Counseling of South Tampa, we believe in treating the whole person. Our trauma-informed therapists take a faith-based approach to therapy, and we work with our clients to help them find purpose after their pain.

How does trauma transform a person?

Trauma can, of course, have a negative impact on an individual if they aren’t given the tools to combat the heartache. Trauma can potentially lead to feelings of depression, low self-esteem, a general sense of woe, fear and anxiety, and a host of other negative emotional side effects. But hope is not lost because healing is possible for the person who has experienced trauma.

Transforming after a traumatic experience takes time and effort, but with the help of a trauma-informed therapist, an individual can find healing after trauma. This healing process leads to positive transformations. Where there was once depression, a person finds joy. Where there was low self-esteem, a person may discover a deep sense of self-worth. Fear and anxiety can be turned around and replaced with courage. And in the place of despair, an individual can find deep and lasting peace. Those who have found positive transformation after trauma are then much more equipped to help others who may walk through a similar situation, and in turning around and serving others they may find a new sense of self and peace.

What are the 3 main types of trauma?

Trauma occurs from a single event, a series of events, or a set of circumstances that an individual experiences, which leave them either physically or emotionally scarred. There are three different types of trauma:

Acute: Trauma that occurs after a single event (such as an accident, an assault, or a natural disaster).
Chronic: Trauma that is repeated or prolonged (such a domestic violence, abuse, long-term illness, or exposure to prolonged stress).
Complex: Trauma that occurs after exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive or interpersonal nature (such as victims of childhood abuse or neglect, familial abuse, or civil unrest).

The symptoms of each of these traumas often present similarly and range from fatigue and depression to behavioral or cognitive problems. Those who have experienced trauma, no matter what type, benefit from speaking with a licensed therapist who is trained in walking the traumatized individual through the experiences that shaped them and helping them reshape the narrative moving forward.

Can you heal from trauma?

Trauma upsets your body’s natural equilibrium. This can freeze an individual in a state of fear. But while a person may feel like they will forever be buried beneath their trauma, healing is possible. Your pain can be transformed into personal growth. The important thing to remember is that you are not broken, and all hope is not lost.

At Christian Counseling of Tampa, we believe in the power of God to heal and repair a traumatized soul. Our trauma therapists are trained and equipped to walk you onto the path of healing where you can find purpose in your pain and meaning after your trauma.

Healing takes time, and it will look different for every individual, but healing is possible when paired with the right methods and thinking patterns. A licensed therapist can help you discover which modalities for healing are most effective for you and guide you toward freedom from the emotional scars that resulted from your traumatic experience or experiences.

How can I grow after trauma?

Much study has been done on the long-term outcomes of those who suffer trauma. There is always potential for positive growth to come out of negative life circumstances. Some people need more time than others to see these positive effects, and many require the guidance of a trauma-informed therapist to help them navigate the emotional waters of a traumatic experience.

How one grows after trauma will look different for every individual. But studies do show that negative experiences can spur positive change. Strength and emotional fortitude are often forged in the fires of difficult circumstances. Here are five ways in which an individual might experience positive growth after trauma:

Education: Post-trauma, an individual may have to learn how to live under a new set of life circumstances. Perhaps it is a health crisis that turned their lives upside or the death of a loved one. Maybe it was a single event that challenged their notion of safety, or a recurring set of circumstances that affected their lives. Whatever the case, someone walking through trauma must learn the truth about their life-changing event and reevaluate how they will live moving forward.
Emotional Regulation: The mind is a powerful tool. It has the power to set the course of your day. Learning to set yourself in the right frame of mind allows you to better understand and respond to the people and events that have shaped you. Meeting with a trauma therapist trained to help you reframe negative thoughts and emotions into something positive is the first step to healing from trauma. When you learn to regulate your emotions, you can face daily stressors and problems head on.
Disclosure: Learning to talk about your experiences, both negative and positive, gives you the strength to face them. This is where a therapist is beneficial to the healing process. When you learn to openly discuss the things you’ve experienced with someone you trust, you begin to pull those experiences out into the light where you can examine them for what they were and develop strategies to keep those traumatic events from dictating your emotions and actions.
Narrative Development: Working with your trauma therapist, you will begin to reshape the narrative of your life. Once you’ve openly discussed your experiences and have come to an authentic understanding of what occurred in the past, you can develop a new narrative for the future. You will find ways to imagine and shape a better future for yourself, and to walk toward that future with confidence.
Service: People grow when they serve others. Taking the pain of a traumatic experience and transforming it by helping others turns the heartache into action. With healing and time, an individual who has walked through trauma can then be the catalyst for helping someone else walk through a similar life event. This has been proven through study to lead to further healing.

At Christian Counseling of Tampa, we believe in walking clients who have experienced trauma through the healing process step by step in a way that is individualized to each person’s unique needs and experiences.

Is my purpose/identity destroyed/ruined?

Complex trauma can distort a person’s perception of self, and often people will feel like they’ve lost a piece of themselves. They take on the traumatic event as their identity and wonder if they’ll ever be the same person again.

There are chemical reactions that happen inside the body during trauma. If the trauma is prolonged over time (such as abuse), these chemical reactions can potentially alter the brain’s ability to function and severely distort the line between reality and perceived threat. When a person constantly lives in fight or flight mode, their brain gets washed in toxic neurotoxins that alter the neural pathways. Physically, the heart and immune system then go into high alert leading to hyperarousal feelings such as panic, anxiety, and fear. On the other end of the spectrum, the body can potentially move into hypo-arousal leading to lethargy, fatigue, and depression.

A trauma therapist walks alongside you to help you see the events that caused the shift in your brain, which then led to the shift in your body. Utilizing some of the healing tools mentioned above such as education, emotional regulation, disclosure, narrative development, and service, you can begin to reestablish those neural pathways that were damaged, lowering the cortisol released in your body, and calming down the fight or flight response. When your mind rests, your body will rest. It is here, in this resting state, that you will find your identity not in the trauma but in the healing.

What are the signs of post-traumatic growth?

To evaluate whether and to what extent someone has experienced growth after trauma, psychologists look for positive responses in five areas:

Appreciation of life: How does a person who has walked through trauma view their own life and the world around them? Do they perceive the good things in life or are they stuck focusing on negative narratives? Seeing the good and appreciating life is a positive sign of post-traumatic growth.
Relationships with Others: How is a person able to relate to the people closest to them? Have they developed healthy friendships and relationships with the people in their immediate circles? Have they developed a healthy network of support? All of these are signs of positive growth after trauma.
New Possibilities in Life: Sometimes, a person who has walked through trauma needs to make a life change. They must reevaluate where they are and what they’re doing, and perhaps find a new path. Seeing and appreciating new possibilities for the future is a positive area of growth.
Personal Strength: Is an individual who has walked through trauma stronger emotionally? Are they able to face the challenges of life with a renewed sense of strength? A trauma therapist will look for signs that their client exhibits showing a renewed personal strength.
Spiritual Change: Seeking a deeper understanding of God is a way that those who have experienced trauma can find peace and hope. At Christian Counseling of South Tampa, we believe in helping our clients find healing through a relationship with God. This, being the ultimate Hope, allows traumatized individuals to find purpose after trauma.

Can trauma change you for the better?

Absolutely. There is plenty of data to support the potential for positive growth and renewed strength on the other side of a traumatic experience. Trauma does not define you or your life negatively forever. Your experiences can serve to make you stronger moving forward, and also possibly allow you to walk alongside others who have experienced similar traumas.

It is important to remember that the trauma you experienced does not define who you are, and you don’t have to navigate your emotional healing alone. Just as we need physical doctors for physical ailments, so the right therapist will help you navigate the emotional waters of a traumatic event. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

INTERESTED IN TRAUMA THERAPY IN TAMPA, FL

If you're interested in exploring personalized guidance and counseling services, consider connecting with Christian Counseling of Tampa. Our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way offering support and guidance, combining faith-based principles with evidence-based techniques to help you heal from trauma. Reach out today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you.

OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH CHRISTIAN COUNSELING OF TAMPA

Counseling for trauma individuals isn't the only service offered by our Tampa, FL-based practice. Our team is happy to offer a variety of services in support of your mental health. Other services offered include child therapy, premarital counseling, Christian counseling, therapy for anxiety, marriage intensives, trauma, and therapy for depression. We use a variety of treatment modalities including CBT, EFT, grief therapy, and more! Feel free to learn more about us by visiting our FAQ or blog today!

Finding Purpose After Pain: How Trauma Can Lead to Transformation