Trauma

Trauma

Helping You Heal from Trauma with Care, Clarity, and Compassion

Trauma

Helping You Heal from Trauma with Care, Clarity, and Compassion

Trauma2025-07-28T14:44:10-04:00

Understanding Trauma

Trauma Affects and Lingers in both mind and body.

Trauma leaves a lasting imprint - on the mind, the body, and the way we relate to others. Whether from a single overwhelming event or years of chronic stress, trauma can lead to symptoms like emotional numbness, anxiety, irritability, or physical tension. At Lifegrowth, we approach trauma treatment with deep respect for each person’s story. Through compassionate, evidence-based care, we help you understand how trauma is affecting your life and work with you to restore a sense of safety, control, and emotional well-being.

“What are the signs and symptoms of trauma in children and adolescents? How does trauma affect mental health and daily life?”

“What are the signs and symptoms of trauma in children and adolescents? How does trauma affect mental health and daily life?”

Trauma Affects People in Different Ways
Trauma is not a one-size-fits-all experience—it impacts each individual differently. For some, it creates difficulty in regulating emotions, leading to high levels of reactivity, anger, or even emotional numbness. Others may experience fear of trying new things or hesitation in forming relationships. Trauma can stem from a single event or from years of emotional neglect, shaping how a person navigates daily life.

Trauma Can Impact Relationships and Everyday Functioning
Unresolved trauma can deeply affect relationships—at home, at work, and in social settings. It may cause individuals to freeze up in conversations, struggle with connection, or feel emotionally distant. In other cases, trauma may manifest through explosive anger or an inability to process emotions effectively. Understanding the unique ways trauma presents is essential to finding meaningful healing.

Trauma Has a Profound Effect on the Body
Trauma doesn’t only impact emotions—it can take a toll on physical health. The stress of unresolved trauma can contribute to chronic illnesses, fatigue, and other medical conditions. Because trauma is often stored in the body, treatment requires more than just addressing emotions—it must include techniques to regulate the nervous system and restore balance to both the mind and body.

How Does Lifegrowth Help?

At Lifegrowth, we don’t treat a label—we treat you as an individual. Our evaluations begin with a deep exploration of your personal history, including your childhood experiences, health history, and relationship patterns. By understanding the full picture, we can provide treatment that truly addresses your needs.

We use trauma-focused and emotion-focused therapies to help you process inner conflicts and regain emotional stability. Somatic therapy plays a crucial role, working with the body to release trauma stored in physical tension. In addition, some of our specialists provide EMDR, a highly effective approach for resolving specific traumatic memories and triggers.

Healing from trauma is possible. At Lifegrowth, we’ve been helping individuals overcome trauma for over 30 years, using evidence-based strategies tailored to each person’s unique journey. Through personalized therapy, deep emotional work, and physical regulation techniques, we’ll help you reclaim a sense of safety, stability, and connection.

Common Trauma symptoms we treat include:

  • Distress that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope

  • Feelings of helplessness

  • Diminished sense of self

  • Diminished ability to experience a full range of emotions and functions

  • Flashbacks to the traumatic event

  • Nightmares

  • Avoidance of anything related to the trauma

  • Numbness or detachment

  • Depression, irritability, and/or heightened anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

How can unresolved trauma impact relationships?2025-05-09T12:15:02-04:00

Unresolved trauma can make relationships really challenging because it shapes how we respond to the people around us. The coping strategies we develop to survive—like shutting down emotions, avoiding vulnerability, or constantly trying to please others—may have helped in tough situations, but they don’t work well in safe, healthy relationships. Healing involves recognizing these patterns and learning new ways to connect.

What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?2025-07-11T08:23:25-04:00

Trauma is a broad term—it’s the way our brain reacts to overwhelming experiences or the absence of things we needed to feel safe growing up. It can come from events like accidents or violence, but it can also stem from emotional neglect or lack of support. PTSD, on the other hand, is a more specific diagnosis with clear symptoms, including flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and difficulty processing past events.

What role do parents and caregivers play in helping a child heal from trauma?2025-05-09T12:15:34-04:00

Parents and caregivers play a huge role in helping a child heal from trauma. The most important thing is creating a sense of security—making sure they feel safe, understood, and comforted when they need it. When a child knows they can rely on you, it becomes easier for them to process their experiences and begin to heal.

Can trauma impact school performance and friendships?2025-05-09T12:15:51-04:00

Trauma doesn’t just fade into the background—it changes how the brain works, making school and friendships much harder. Kids who’ve experienced trauma often struggle with focus, memory, and motivation, which can lead to lower grades and frustration. Socially, they may have trouble trusting others or push people away without realizing it. The coping strategies that helped them survive tough situations don’t always work well in everyday life, making relationships and learning more challenging.

How does childhood trauma affect emotional development?2025-05-09T12:16:08-04:00

Trauma rewires the brain, shaping the way a child processes emotions for years to come.. Children who experience trauma may struggle with overwhelming emotions, difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from their own feelings. These effects can linger into adulthood, shaping how they respond to stress and relationships. Healing starts with recognizing how trauma has impacted emotional growth and finding ways to rebuild a sense of safety.

Our Trained Counselors

At Lifegrowth, our counselors are highly trained professionals with expertise in treating trauma across all age groups. They use evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, to help clients understand and manage their trauma effectively. With ongoing training and a commitment to personalized care, our team provides tailored strategies to address each client’s unique needs, fostering resilience and confidence.

  • Jonathan Ambrose, LPC

    Boyertown, PA Office

  • Carmen Morrison, Ph.D.

    Boyertown, PA & Bryan, TX Office

  • Lisa Weller, LAPC

    Boyertown, PA Office

Resources for Trauma

External Resources

Reading

  • The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

  • My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP

  • Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine Ph.D.

  • The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook by Bruce D Perry and Maia Szalavitz

  • The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris

Note: The resources and information on this page are meant for general information purposes only. Lifegrowth is not responsible for the information or claims made by these resources.

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