#Complex Trauma Therapy

Let’s break these down 👇🏼 Emotional flashbacks: One of the most common cPTSD symptoms, and they occur when you’re emotionally hijacked by a previous memory (or series of memories). These flashbacks are, by definition, emotional, and may not always be immediately tied to early traumas. Overfunctioning & hyperindependence: complex trauma often teaches you that you can’t depend on anyone, so you learn to do everything yourself. People-pleasing: You learn to anticipate others’ needs and make sure everyone is content with you, ultimately as a way to prevent any lashing out, because you’ve learned that someone being unhappy will get taken out on you in some way. Feeling like you’re too much & not enough at the same time: This often happens as a result of neglect — teaching you your needs are too much, and that you’re simultaneously not “good enough” to receive attunement from your caregivers. Emotional exhaustion: if you’re constantly in survival mode, you eventually reach a point of burnout and dissociation Physical symptoms: This can include migraines, nausea, chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues. This is often as a result of chronic sympathetic activation and its effects on the body. These patterns didn’t come from nowhere. They were survival tools. And now, they might be the signs that something inside you is asking to heal. Healing from cPTSD is possible. And it doesn’t have to be something you do alone. If this resonates with you, @manhattanpsychotherapy has a few openings left for new clients. Book a free consultation through the link in bio. . . Disclaimer: IG is not a substitute for therapy, and this should not be taken as professional advice. . . #cptsd #complextrauma #traumarecovery #cptsdhealing #traumahealing #traumatherapy #nyctherapist

Complex PTSD doesn’t come from a single traumatic event. It develops after repeated, prolonged interpersonal trauma, often in environments where safety and trust should have existed. That’s why healing from complex PTSD happens in phases: 1️⃣ Safety & stabilisation – regulating the nervous system and rebuilding a sense of safety 2️⃣ Trauma processing – helping the brain and body reprocess traumatic memory networks 3️⃣ Integration – restoring identity, reducing shame, and making meaning beyond survival Trauma responses are not weaknesses. They are adaptive survival responses to overwhelming threat. Healing is not linear. It takes time, safety, and the right support. But healing is possible. If this resonates with you, you’re not broken — your nervous system learned how to survive. Protect your minds. Protect your hearts. #trauma #mentalhealth #hope #resilience #complexptsd

MY FREE COMPLEX TRAUMA HEALING WORKBOOK DROPS JUNE 25th. Comment “COMPLEX” then check your DM. Enter your email and you’re all set! #selfhealers

👉Can you relate? More videos coming soon. Do you have memories that you try your best to push down, but they keep coming up for you when you don’t want them to. When those memories are from traumatic events, that can cause an overwhelming level of distress that is hard to bring back down. This video is a quick summary of a metaphor that I have often used to help describe how working through painful memories in trauma therapy can help. 👉More on this in my No.1 Sunday Times Bestselling book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? (Currently -50% offer for £7.50 inc delivery see link in bio) If you can’t be bothered to read it and would like me to read it to you, it’s free when you sign up to Audible 😉 (link in bio) Feel free to share ❤️ @drjulie #trauma #traumatherapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #therapy #selfhelp #selfcare #traumarecovery #ptsd #mentalhealthmatters #recoveryjourney #therapysession

*this is my subjective opinion!* Here’s my rationale 💫: CBT - helps with distorted thinking, misses trauma stored in the body DBT - amazing skills for managing trauma symptoms, misses root cause IFS - amazing for complex trauma and dissociation EMDR - my creme de la creme, but requires a skilled therapist who can identify dissociation and work with parts Somatic experiencing - addresses trauma in the body but hard to access and expensive to become trained Prolonged exposure - torture chamber (jk!) great for avoidance, not great for complex trauma Narrative therapy - helpful for re-authoring trauma stories, doesnt always address body-based trauma Sand tray therapy - accesses nonverbal stuff, can be super powerful for processing Art therapy - helpful creative outlet, doesnt require trauma narrative, hard to find a true art therapist Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy- amazing for treatment-resistant anxiety, depression, ptsd; needs integration work with a licensed therapist in combination with the medicine

Real trauma therapy should feel challenging but safe. It should build your capacity to handle difficult emotions, not leave you more dysregulated. Just because someone calls themselves “trauma-informed” doesn’t mean they understand how trauma lives in your nervous system. If your therapist rushes you into processing without teaching coping skills first, doesn’t notice when you dissociate, or you consistently leave sessions activated without tools to regulate - that’s not trauma-informed care. You deserve therapy that honors how trauma actually works in your body and brain. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Have you experienced any of these red flags in therapy? #trauma #traumahealing #traumainformed #therapy #nervousystem #windowoftolerance #ptsd #cptsd #traumatherapy #healingjourney #somatichealing #therapyredflags

Healing doesn’t usually announce itself. It shows up quietly in pauses, in softened responses, in the ability to stay present with what’s hard without rushing past it. #mentalhealthawareness #traumahealing #selfcare #therapy #midwest

Radical Self-Acceptance Therapy (RSAT) is the method I teach in my new book Unfractured (out in January). It releases trauma compassionately and effectively by meeting the parts of ourselves we’ve abandoned and healing our relationship with them. The completion dialogues is one of the tools we use to do that: 1. I can see that you’re feeling this feeling. It makes sense. Anybody would feel that. 2. This feeling is important, welcome and there’s lots of space for it. 3. You don’t have to feel this alone anymore. I’m here and I’m staying. 4. Tell me more-what’s the next emotion? Start practicing this powerful therapy today! #rsat #radicalselfacceptancetherapy #trauma #traumarecovery #anxiety #healing #traumahealing

Somatic symptoms of CPTSD are often misunderstood. Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories. It lives in the nervous system and the body. Many people with complex trauma experience physical symptoms they don’t immediately associate with trauma. Healing often means helping the nervous system learn safety again. If you relate to any of these, you’re not alone. 🤍Save this for later and follow if you’re healing from CPTSD too #CPTSD

Here are 3 signs you MIGHT have had childhood trauma and the thinking patterns if so. (Keep in mind that this is by no means suggesting that everyone who has any of these 3 thinking patterns for sure has childhood trauma and social media post should never be used as a tool to self diagnose or replace individualized care) It’s not uncommon for clients to meet with me and feel like they never really experienced trauma but they are struggling with depression, anxiety, low self esteem and other symptoms. It isn’t until we start exploring some of their history that they start to recognize that even though their parents had good intentions or their childhood was filled with many good memories, there was also things that felt overwhelming and harmful to them that in fact would be considered trauma. Here are 3 signs that you might have experienced childhood trauma or at the least some things worth bringing up in therapy. Happy healing, Calli Joy Make sure to follow @callifindingjoy for more trauma healing and mental health related content. Disclaimer: I am a therapist but I’m not your therapist 😉. My therapy posts/thoughts are for educational purposes only and are not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care. #therapistsofinstagram #traumatherapist #traumahealing #traumarecovery #traumainformed #cptsd #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #therapyiscool #therapyworks

What do you think about this analogy for complex trauma? Drop a comment and share your thoughts ♥️ #therapy #complexptsd #ptsd #drpriaphd #newyorktherapist

said it before and i will say it again: when trauma and painful emotions get suppressed and stored up in the body, they doesn’t just disappear. avoiding the pain might cause it to express as physical or emotional symptoms. here’s how it might be impacting your nervous system:   racing heart & palpitations: even when you’re not in any sort of danger, you might experience an elevated heart rate or palpitations. there’s a sense of anxiety constantly humming in the background and it is incredibly hard for you to fully relax.   chronic tension: tight shoulders, clenched jaw, or a stiff neck are common signs your body is holding on to unresolved stress. this is your nervous system signaling that it’s still in survival mode.   sleep disturbances: whether it’s trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, or vivid dreams, trauma can disrupt your sleep patterns and prevent you from feeling truly rested.   numbness or emotional detachment: trauma can cause you to disconnect from your emotions or your body entirely. this numbing effect is a defense mechanism, as your nervous system tries to protect you from overwhelm.   hyperactivity or restlessness: trauma can make it difficult for the body to stay still. this might manifest as fidgeting, pacing, or an overall sense of physical agitation that’s hard to shake off.   digestive issues: the gut and brain are deeply connected. if your trauma is unresolved, it can manifest as bloating, indigestion, or nausea, as your body processes stress in ways you may not even realize.   these signs are your body’s way of saying, “please help me heal.” it’s important to listen to these cues, offer compassion to your nervous system, and create SAFE space for healing.   remember: it’s okay to take it one step at a time. your nervous system is working hard to protect you, and with patience and care, you can gently guide it back to a place of safety and peace.   comment ‘resources’ and i will send you my free nervous system healing guide.   comment ‘lab’ and i will send you the link to my virtual healing studio so you can heal with support, guidance, and community.