Big T trauma
Single or extreme events that threaten your safety or your life, such as an assault, a serious accident, violence or a medical emergency. These can lead to PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares and feeling constantly on guard.
Understanding trauma
What is trauma and how does it affect the body?
While trauma can lead to complex reactions, its definition is surprisingly straightforward. Trauma occurs when something deeply affects your nervous system and body.
This means trauma can linger from events that might be harder to recognize or ones you've dismissed as insignificant (which is also a trauma response!). Whether it's a major traumatic event or ongoing smaller distresses, the physical and mental impact can be similar.
Two ways trauma shows up
Big T and little t trauma: what’s the difference?
You may have heard trauma described as “big T” or “little t.” It’s a helpful shorthand, not a ranking of whose pain counts.
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Little t trauma
Painful experiences that may not look dramatic from the outside but wear on your nervous system over time, such as emotional neglect, ongoing criticism, bullying or a difficult relationship. Because they’re easy to dismiss, they often go unnamed.
Your nervous system doesn’t measure trauma by how it looks on paper. What matters is how it affected you. How the nervous system holds trauma
My approach
Trauma counselling in Vancouver & BC: how I can support you
The heart of trauma healing starts with finding safety and reclaiming control. When we face trauma, our bodies do everything possible to keep us safe, both physically and mentally. In our sessions, our top priority is creating a safe space where you're in charge. You'll never be pressured to share more than you're comfortable with. You set the pace.
Once safety is established, we'll explore how trauma has impacted your body and daily life. It's common to feel disconnected from your body after trauma, but our goal is to reconnect and feel safe within yourself once again.
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What to expect
What a somatic trauma therapy session looks like
Somatic therapy starts with your body, not only your story. Sessions are unhurried, and they tend to unfold like this:
- We start with safety. We check in on how you’re arriving and find what helps you feel steady, like your breath, your feet on the floor or your surroundings.
- We notice the body. As you talk, we gently track sensations such as tightness, warmth, numbness or restlessness.
- We go in small steps. We approach difficult material a little at a time and pause whenever you need to.
- We close with settling. Before we end, we ground together so you leave feeling oriented, not raw.
Recognizing the signs
Signs your nervous system is stuck in survival mode
Trauma isn’t only a memory. It lives in your nervous system, which is why it can show up in your body and your relationships long after the event. You might notice:
- Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
- Flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories
- Going numb, spacing out or feeling disconnected from your body (dissociation)
- Sudden waves of anger, panic or shutdown that feel out of proportion
- Trouble sleeping, or a body that never fully relaxes
- Pulling away from closeness, or feeling unsafe in relationships
These are protective responses, not flaws. Understand your nervous system
A question I often hear
“How long will this take?”
In my decade-plus of working with trauma, I've learned that healing takes time, but it does happen. That much I can promise. Sometimes, we retell our stories over and over until one day, they no longer weigh us down. Healing from trauma requires effort, but I'm here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Areas of focus
What shapes does trauma take? Areas I focus on in my trauma therapy practice
- Childhood trauma
- Abuse
- Sexual assault
- Relationship trauma
- Familial trauma
- Grief and loss
- Birthing trauma
- Injuries and accidents
- PTSD and complex PTSD
- Attachment wounds and relationship patterns
Common questions
Trauma therapy FAQs: your questions, answered
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma therapy?
No. You don’t need a diagnosis, and you don’t have to prove that what you went through was “bad enough.” If something still affects your sleep, your relationships, your mood or how safe you feel in your body, it’s worth exploring. A free consultation is a good place to start.
Does online trauma therapy work?
Yes. Many clients find it easier to do deep work from a place where they already feel safe, like their own home. We meet by secure video through Jane, and we build in time to settle before and after each session.
What does somatic trauma therapy look like in a session?
We move slowly. We pay attention to what’s happening in your body as we talk, such as tension, warmth, a tight chest or numbness, and use grounding and small, manageable steps to help your nervous system settle. You never have to retell everything, and you set the pace. Learn more about somatic therapy.
What’s the difference between “big T” and “little t” trauma?
Big T trauma refers to single or extreme events that threaten your safety, like an assault or serious accident. Little t trauma refers to painful experiences that wear on your nervous system over time, like emotional neglect or ongoing stress. Both can leave a real mark.
How long does trauma therapy take?
There’s no set timeline, because everyone’s nervous system and story are different. Some people come for a focused period and others choose longer-term work. Healing takes time, but it does happen, and we’ll check in regularly about what you need.
Keep reading: Understanding your nervous system · Trauma therapy and the power of slowing down · Treating trauma with therapeutic consent.
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No pressure, just a conversation.