What is Psychological Trauma?
Psychological trauma occurs when you have an intense emotional reaction (appropriate to extreme
circumstances) greater than your brain's ability in the moment, to process. Amnesia, obsessive and intrusive thoughts, dissociation
(feeling removed from what is going on) and other symptoms of anxiety (including PTSD and panic) depression, unmanageable anger or
relationship problems can result.
Two Categories of Trauma
"Big T" trauma is associated with experiencing or witnessing a catastrophic or life threatening
event, such as being a victim of a rape or other assault, a life threatening accident, combat in war, etc.
"Little t trauma occurs
during childhood and is different. Children are in the process of developing a mature emotional brain (the sub-cortical, limbic
system) that is associated with the formation of ideas and beliefs that last throughout life, about who we are, how
people are likely to treat us, and whether the world is a safe or unsafe place. An immature, still-developing emotional
brain can easily be overwhelmed by on-going criticism, put-downs, abuse or neglect, resulting in psychological trauma (that is, an
overload of emotion for a still developing brain).
Trauma often occurs in non-abusive homes! It doesn't take an abusive
parent to err in giving a child what he needs during an important developmental period. Parents get busy, events occur (divorce,
ill health, etc.) that take their attention away, and sometimes through no intention, parents can't provide a developmental need,
like helping you understand and not be afraid of feelings, learn how to effectively manage anger, or help you develop good self-esteem.
Psychotherapy for Trauma
"Big T" trauma can often be resolved relatively briefly. "Little t trauma" often takes longer
and more substantial effort on your part, because you have lived with the affects of trauma for a long time. They have permeated
your life, generating the same problematic emotional and behavioral patterns, over and over again. It might even be difficult
for you to know the difference between the affects of trauma and who you are as a person.
EMDR is effective for both categories
of trauma.
Group Therapy can be very helpful for resolving trauma involving how you interact in groups. You can learn how
to play a different kind of role from the one you had in your first group, your family.
Barbara Elbl, MFT, CEAP, CGP
Marriage and Family Therapist Ca Lic #33788
Certified Employee Assistance Provider (EACC #028021)
Certified
Group Psychotherapist (AGPA)
EMDR practitioner
Substance Abuse Professional
4333 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-681-1757
Call
now for a free brief assessment
EDUCATION CENTER
What is Psychotherapy?
What
is Counseling/Brief therapy?
What is EMDR?
What is (psychological) Trauma?
What
is Group Psychotherapy?
How do you find a good therapist?
Tips for Coping
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
or Loss