From Coping to Healing: Addressing Trauma in Therapy

by | Trauma

When I tell people I consider myself a trauma therapist, they assume I work with client’s who’ve experienced really big, life-changing events. While that’s true in some cases, being a trauma therapist isn’t just about addressing the extreme. It’s about understanding that trauma—big or small—lies at the root of so many mental health struggles.

Trauma isn’t always what people think it is. It’s not just about catastrophic events like natural disasters or abuse. Trauma can be any experience that overwhelms us emotionally and leaves a lasting impact. It can be a single moment or a series of smaller, repeated experiences that shape how we see ourselves and the world. It’s less about the event itself and more about how it was processed—or not processed—at the time.

Trauma: The Foundation of Mental Health Struggles

In my practice, I see the ripple effects of trauma everywhere. Whether it’s addiction, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), or something else, so many of these struggles trace back to unresolved pain. Trauma alters the way we think, feel, and respond to the world. It shapes our beliefs about safety, trust, and even our sense of self.

For example, addiction is often misunderstood as a problem of willpower or poor choices. In reality, it’s frequently a response to unprocessed trauma. Substance use becomes a way to numb the pain or manage overwhelming emotions. Similarly, conditions like BPD—which is often misrepresented as manipulation or emotional instability—are now widely understood to be rooted in relational trauma, like chronic invalidation or neglect.

Even when the connection to trauma isn’t immediately obvious, it’s there. People with multiple diagnoses—like depression, anxiety, and OCD—are often experiencing the effects of complex trauma. These layers of mental health challenges are often symptoms of deeper wounds that need to be acknowledged and healed.

How Trauma Shapes Our Present

One of the most profound truths about trauma is that it doesn’t stay in the past. Unprocessed trauma continues to live within us, often influencing how we react to situations today. This is why people with trauma may experience symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, or intense emotional swings. Their nervous system is still stuck in survival mode, perceiving danger even when it’s no longer there.

I often explain it like this: imagine experiencing a traumatic event where your brain learns that certain things are dangerous. Maybe it’s a specific tone of voice, a place, or even something as simple as a color or smell. Your mind holds onto that memory, constantly scanning for it, even if the real danger has long passed. This survival mechanism can leave people feeling trapped in the past, unable to fully live in the present.

The Complexity of Trauma

What fascinates me most about trauma is how it’s both universal and deeply personal. Everyone has experienced moments of pain or difficulty, but how that shapes someone is entirely unique.

I’ve also noticed that people who have experienced one trauma are more likely to experience others. It’s not because they’re “attracting” bad situations, and it’s certainly not their fault. Trauma changes how we perceive danger, often leaving us hyper-focused on certain risks while missing others entirely. It’s like the brain is trying so hard to protect us that it inadvertently leaves us vulnerable to new threats.

The Importance of Going Beyond Symptoms

Traditional therapy often focuses on managing symptoms. While this can provide temporary relief, it doesn’t address the root cause. For true healing, we need to look deeper. We need to work with the parts of ourselves that are still living in the past, stuck in those unprocessed moments of pain.

That doesn’t mean revisiting every detail of the trauma in a way that re-traumatizes. In fact, modern trauma therapy has moved away from this approach. Instead, we focus on what’s presenting in the here and now—whether that’s a feeling, a belief, or a behavior—and work with it gently and collaboratively.

This is where modalities like parts work, somatic therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) come in. These approaches allow us to engage with the remnants of trauma in a way that feels safe and empowering. By addressing these deeper layers, clients can move beyond simply coping and begin to truly heal.

The Path to Healing

Trauma work isn’t about reliving every painful moment or forcing someone to recount their worst memories in excruciating detail. That’s an outdated and, frankly, harmful approach. These days, trauma therapy is about meeting the person where they are, working with the emotions and patterns that are showing up in the present, and healing those at the root.

In my practice, I often use parts work and other experiential methods like hypnotherapy or somatic techniques. These approaches focus on helping clients safely connect with the parts of themselves that are holding onto the pain. The goal isn’t to “fix” those parts or shut them down—it’s to listen, understand, and help them let go.

Therapy is about helping those protective parts of you rest, finding new ways to connect with yourself, and creating a future where you feel free. Whether you’re just starting to explore your story or you’ve been on this journey for years, know that healing is possible.

Healing trauma is a process. It’s not always linear, and it’s rarely quick. But with the right tools and support, it’s possible to move beyond survival and into a place of thriving.

Healing Is Possible

Trauma doesn’t define you. It doesn’t mean you’re broken or beyond repair. It simply means you’ve been through something painful, and your mind and body have been doing their best to protect you ever since.

Trauma can feel like a heavy weight, but it’s not a life sentence. Healing is absolutely possible, even for those who feel like they’ve been carrying their pain for decades. It’s not always easy—it takes time, patience, and a willingness to face difficult emotions—but the rewards are worth it.

At WellSite, we specialize in trauma-informed therapy because we believe in addressing the root, not just the surface. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, or something else entirely, we’re here to help you understand and heal the deeper wounds driving your struggles.

You don’t have to live in the past. Healing is about reclaiming your present and creating a future that feels hopeful and whole. Together, we can take that journey. Get started today.

Maor Bernshtein

Maor Bernshtein

I'm a Registered Social Worker offering compassionate, personalized therapy and hypnotherapy to help you navigate trauma, addiction, and anxiety with empathy and humor.