It’s common for individuals to question whether their experiences qualify as trauma. You might think, “It wasn’t that bad,” or “Others have it worse.” But trauma is not about comparison; it’s about the impact an event has on your life. Any experience that disrupts your sense of safety—be it physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, witnessing a traumatic event, or even growing up in a neglectful or controlling environment—can be traumatic. If your past feels like it’s still affecting you, you may be dealing with the emotional scars of childhood trauma, including symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), such as:
Reliving distressing memories as if they’re happening now.
Steering clear of people, places, or situations that remind you of past trauma.
Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled.
Struggling to connect with others or experiencing a sense of detachment.
Unexplained anger, sadness, or sudden emotional shifts.
Insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep.
Although trauma can feel isolating, it’s actually quite common. Studies show that up to 70% of people experience a traumatic event, and around 6% will struggle with PTSD in their lifetime. Childhood trauma often goes unrecognized because people assume it only includes extreme cases like combat or major violence. But many less obvious experiences—growing up in toxic relationships, living with controlling parents, or facing chronic illness—can also leave deep emotional marks.
Many people feel ashamed or embarrassed about their traumatic experiences and hide their emotional pain. Yet, PTSD and other trauma-related disorders are treatable, and speaking about your experience can be an important first step toward healing. In therapy, you’ll have the space to share your story with a compassionate, skilled therapist who specializes in trauma and PTSD. You’ll gain tools to process and cope with your emotions in healthier ways.
Therapy provides an opportunity to address the painful memories and feelings that have been holding you back. While symptoms of trauma can fluctuate over time, effective treatments are available that can significantly reduce their impact. Through therapy, you can regain control over your life and find joy again. Trauma may be part of your past, but it doesn’t have to define your future.
During trauma-focused therapy sessions, your therapist will work with you to understand how your past experiences have shaped your current thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. We’ll identify any barriers to healing and develop a tailored treatment plan. Since trauma often keeps people stuck in a cycle of avoidance, part of therapy will involve gradually confronting memories or situations in a safe, controlled way. You’ll also learn coping skills to manage distress and relax your body.
When seeking therapy for childhood trauma, it’s essential to find a therapist who is trained in trauma-specific approaches. Look for a therapist experienced in treating PTSD, complex trauma, and childhood trauma, ideally someone who uses evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or trauma-focused Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). These modalities are effective for processing difficult memories and reworking negative thought patterns.
For complex trauma, which often involves prolonged or repeated exposure to adverse events, therapies like DBT or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be particularly helpful. These therapies focus on managing emotional dysregulation and processing traumatic memories in a gentle, yet powerful way.
If you’re dealing with unresolved trauma from childhood, trauma-focused therapies like DBT, EMDR, or CPT (not offered at Mindwell NYC) are designed to help you process these long-standing issues. These therapies help you make sense of your past, challenge harmful beliefs, and heal emotional wounds, often with lasting results.
When you’re ready to talk about your childhood trauma, consider therapy approaches that create a safe, supportive environment for this type of healing. Trauma-informed CBT and CPT are great options because they provide structured frameworks to address difficult memories, while EMDR is often used to process specific traumatic memories in a more integrative way.
MindWell NYC does not bill health insurance directly. We are happy to provide you with statements at the end of the month which can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement as per your plan.
Phone: 646-809-5440
Email: intake@mindwellnyc.com
Address: 80 8th Avenue, Suite 600
New York, NY 10011
(NE corner of 8th Avenue and 14th Street)
