Trauma Isn’t “All in your Head”

Maybe something overwhelming happened all at once.
Maybe it was years of walking on eggshells.
Maybe you can’t point to one big moment; you know you don’t feel safe in your own skin.

Trauma is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It’s your brain and body’s natural response to experiences that were too much, too fast, or for too long.

At New Chapter Therapy, I work with adults and college students in Hendersonville, Nashville, and across Tennessee (online) to understand how trauma affects the body and mind, and to gently help your nervous system find its way back to safety and connection.

What is Trauma?

In simple terms, trauma is any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope and leaves a lasting impact on how safe you feel in the world and in yourself.

Trauma can include:

Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual)
Neglect or growing up in chaotic, unpredictable environments
Car accidents, medical emergencies, or sudden health crises
Domestic violence or controlling relationships
Betrayal, infidelity, or deep relational wounds
Giving birth (physical, emotional, spiritual)
Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
Loss, grief, and complicated breakups
Chronic stress where you never felt truly safe or supported

Trauma can be a single event, a series of events, or ongoing experiences that slowly eroded your sense of safety.

Physical Symptoms of Trauma

Trauma doesn’t just live in memories; it often shows up in the body. You might notice:

Chronic tension or pain (neck, shoulders, jaw, back)
Headaches or migraines
Stomach issues or digestive problems (nausea, knots in your stomach)
Racing heart, tight chest, or shortness of breath
Fatigue or exhaustion even when you’re “doing nothing.”
Startle response – jumping at sounds or feeling easily on edge
Sleep problems – trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or frequent nightmares
Feeling “wired and tired” – restless but worn out
Numbness, tingling, or feeling disconnected from your body

These symptoms can feel frustrating or confusing, especially if medical tests don’t give many answers. A trauma-informed lens recognizes that your nervous system may be stuck in survival mode and sending “danger” signals long after the threat has passed.

Psychological & Emotional Symptoms of Trauma

Anxiety, panic, or constant worry
Depression, emptiness, or feeling “shut down”
Irritability, anger, or sudden emotional outbursts
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Feeling detached, numb, or “far away” (dissociation)
Shame and self-blame – “It was my fault” or “I should have…”
Hypervigilance – always scanning for what could go wrong
Difficulty trusting others or letting people get close
Perfectionism, people-pleasing, or over-functioning
Feeling like “something is wrong with me,” even if you can’t explain why

Trauma also impacts thoughts, emotions, and relationships. You may experience:

These responses are not you being “dramatic” or “too sensitive.”
They are often the mind’s way of trying to protect you from future pain.

How Trauma Affects the Body & Nervous System

Fight

anger, defensiveness, irritability, feeling ready to argue or push back.
Flight

restlessness, overworking, staying busy to avoid feelings, and difficulty slowing down.
Freeze

feeling numb, spaced out, paralyzed when you want to act.
Fawn

people-pleasing, over-accommodating, ignoring your own needs to keep the peace.

Over time, this can:

Narrow your “window of tolerance” (the zone where you feel grounded and flexible)
Make it harder to relax, focus, or feel present
Lead to burnout, chronic stress, and physical symptoms that don’t seem to have a simple cause

Trauma-informed therapy helps your nervous system learn that you are safer now than you were then, and gently widens your window of tolerance so life doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Safety

Emotional, physical, and cultural safety are prioritized. You won’t be pushed to share more than you’re ready to.

Collaboration

We’re partners in the work; you are the expert in your life.

Trust + transparency

I explain what we’re doing and why, so you’re never left in the dark.

Empowerment

We focus on your strengths, resilience, and inner wisdom, not just your pain.

Choice + control

You set the pace. You can pause, slow down, or redirect at any time.

Cultural humility

Your identities, background, and lived experiences matter and shape how we work together.

Trauma-Informed Approach at New Chapter Therapy

I use an integrative, holistic, mind–body–spirit approach to trauma therapy.
Depending on your needs, we may draw from:

EMDR

Helps the brain and body process traumatic memories so they feel less overwhelming and more “in the past” instead of always happening now. This process occurs through the 8-phase approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro.