What Is Trauma?

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms your ability to cope. While some trauma results from acute incidents like car accidents or assaults, other trauma is more complex, involving prolonged or repeated exposure to harmful experiences.

Trauma is not defined solely by the event itself, but by how your mind and body respond to it. Two people may experience the same situation but have very different responses—both valid. The impact of trauma can be long-lasting, affecting mood, behavior, physical health, and relationships.

Common symptoms of unresolved trauma include:

• Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge

• Flashbacks or intrusive memories

• Emotional numbness or dissociation

• Difficulty trusting others

• Shame, guilt, or self-blame

• Depression or anxiety

• Chronic pain or somatic symptoms

• Trouble sleeping or nightmares

• Self-destructive behaviors or substance use

If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, you’re not alone—and therapy can help.

Common Types of Trauma We Treat

At Awakenly, we work with clients experiencing a wide range of traumatic experiences, including:

• Acute trauma (e.g., accidents, assaults, natural disasters)

• Chronic trauma (e.g., long-term abuse, neglect, systemic oppression)

• Complex trauma (C-PTSD) from prolonged interpersonal harm or developmental trauma

• Sexual trauma and boundary violations

• Childhood trauma and attachment injuries

• Religious trauma or spiritual abuse

• Medical trauma from past treatments or diagnoses

• Grief and loss-related trauma

• Racial, cultural, and identity-based trauma

• Trauma related to gender identity and LGBTQIA+ experiences

We also work with clients diagnosed with or experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). These conditions can severely impact your daily functioning, but with the right support, they are treatable.

What Is PTSD and C-PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. Symptoms often include:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks

• Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

• Negative changes in thoughts or mood

• Heightened arousal and reactivity

PTSD may develop soon after the event or emerge months or even years later.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

C-PTSD results from prolonged, repeated trauma, particularly during formative years. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single incident, C-PTSD is relational and developmental in nature. Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty regulating emotions

• Persistent feelings of worthlessness or shame

• Trouble with trust and intimacy

• Deep-rooted fears of abandonment or rejection

• Chronic dissociation or emotional numbing

At Awakenly, we understand how complex trauma shapes the nervous system and sense of self. Our trauma-informed therapists offer compassionate support tailored to your experience.

How Trauma Therapy Works at Awakenly

We believe trauma healing requires a holistic and integrative approach. That’s why our therapists are trained in multiple trauma-focused modalities, allowing us to personalize your treatment for what your body and mind need most. Below are the key frameworks we use in trauma therapy.

1. Somatic Therapy: Healing Through the Body

Trauma doesn’t just live in your mind—it also resides in your body. Many trauma survivors report feeling physically disconnected, chronically tense, or numb. Somatic therapy focuses on the nervous system and the physical effects of trauma.

In sessions, you’ll learn to:

• Tune into bodily sensations in a safe and manageable way

• Develop grounding and self-regulation tools

• Release held tension through breathwork, movement, and mindfulness

• Restore a sense of safety in your body

Somatic work is especially powerful for clients who experience dissociation, panic, or chronic physical symptoms tied to trauma. It allows healing to occur at the deepest nervous system level.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Reframing Trauma Narratives

CBT is a widely used, evidence-based approach that helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that reinforce trauma. In CBT for trauma, you might explore:

• Negative beliefs about safety, trust, power, and control

• Patterns of self-blame or catastrophizing

• Avoidance behaviors that keep trauma locked in place

• Practical coping skills for managing distress

CBT helps you build a new relationship with your thoughts and behaviors, empowering you to regain control over how you respond to the world around you.

3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Managing Emotional Intensity

DBT is particularly helpful for trauma survivors who experience intense emotions, self-harm urges, or difficulty in relationships. DBT combines acceptance and change strategies to help you:

• Tolerate distress without resorting to harmful coping methods

• Regulate overwhelming emotions

• Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present

• Build healthier interpersonal boundaries

In trauma therapy, DBT can provide immediate, actionable tools while also creating a strong foundation for deeper emotional work.

4. Psychodynamic Therapy: Understanding the Roots of Trauma

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the underlying emotional and relational patterns that trauma can create. This modality is particularly useful when trauma stems from early life experiences or long-term relationships.

In psychodynamic trauma therapy, you will:

• Explore the unconscious roots of your behaviors and beliefs

• Understand how past relationships shape current ones

• Process grief, abandonment, or unmet needs

• Build a cohesive and empowered sense of self

This deep, reflective work can help bring clarity, healing, and lasting emotional transformation.

Who We Work With

Awakenly therapists work with adults and young adults experiencing trauma-related symptoms, including those with formal diagnoses (PTSD, C-PTSD) and those who may not have a diagnosis but know something still feels “off” or unresolved.

We also work with individuals who are:

• In the LGBTQIA+ community navigating identity-related trauma

• Survivors of childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

• Adults dealing with the impact of emotionally immature parents

• Experiencing trauma related to racism, sexism, ableism, or other systemic issues

• Struggling with traumatic grief or life-altering losses

Wherever you are in your healing journey, we are here to meet you with care, respect, and clinical expertise.

Why Choose Awakenly for Trauma Therapy?

• Experienced, trauma-informed therapists who understand the complexities of healing

• Virtual therapy available in PA, NY, and AZ, so you can get help from home

• Personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs and preferences

• Inclusive, affirming care for clients of all backgrounds and identities

• Integrative therapeutic modalities that treat trauma at every level—mental, emotional, and physical

We know how overwhelming it can be to reach out for help, especially when trust has been compromised by past experiences. At Awakenly, we hold space for your story and support you in reclaiming your voice and inner strength.

Ready to Start Healing?

You don’t have to carry your trauma alone. Healing is possible—and it starts with one small, brave step.

Awakenly offers virtual trauma therapy in Pennsylvania (PA), New York (NY), and Arizona (AZ), making expert care accessible from wherever you are.

Schedule your free consultation today to be matched with a trauma-informed therapist who gets it—and who can guide you toward healing at your pace.

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