Healing at Home: Unpacking Online Trauma Services

What is trauma?

Trauma can be defined as an emotional and psychological response to stressful events that impair an individual’s ability to cope. These events can include serious incidents such as natural disasters, wars, major accidents, and physical or sexual abuse.

Trauma can happen to all of us and may have lasting effects on our sense of safety, ability to function, and overall well-being. In therapy, we often discuss how childhood trauma is carried into adulthood. According to Kristen Holderle from the University of Rochester Medical Centre, this occurs because early trauma affects our fight-or-flight response and can disrupt our neurodevelopment.

The impact of childhood trauma depends largely on the environment in which the child was raised. How an individual copes with trauma will depend on the support systems available to them and the stage of life when the trauma occurred.

Co-morbid conditions:

Comorbid conditions are disorders that often occur alongside trauma. These can include depression, anxiety, and fear. In many cases, other conditions, such as substance use, also develop as a way of self-medicating to cope with emotional pressures. Additionally, trauma can impact physical healing, especially in patients with severe injuries.

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

I remember when I was an adolescent, the adults around me often referred to young men returning from the army as being shell-shocked. Nowadays, we call this Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It occurs when someone is exposed to highly stressful events, such as war or physical abuse, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and nightmares.

Generally, therapists talk about PTSD and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). So, what is the main difference? PTSD is usually triggered by a single traumatic event, whereas C-PTSD results from prolonged, repeated, or chronic trauma—such as ongoing abuse or neglect.

Not all events will be experienced the same way by different individuals. The impact of trauma depends on the person, the event itself, and environmental factors, rather than the event alone. An individual’s response is influenced by their personal history, resilience, and support systems. The nature of the event is also an important factor; for example, the level of fear and lack of control felt during the event, as well as any stressors that occur afterwards. Some people may develop PTSD, while others may show resilience or only experience temporary reactions.

Understanding Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

As we have established, PTSD is not limited to soldiers. It is essential to recognise that receiving appropriate care from a registered practitioner can make a significant difference between healing and ongoing emotional suffering.

In my practice, I often work with people who have endured prolonged, repeated trauma and neglect. My clients frequently comment on how they struggle to control their emotions, have a negative perception of themselves, or find it difficult to maintain relationships. It is also common for our trauma clients to experience feelings of detachment, emptiness, and hopelessness.

Along with emotional stressors, clients often mention physical symptoms. In his book The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk highlights the connection between the brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Clients frequently experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach issues, and muscle aches. During episodes of anxiety, they may report body sensations like a racing heart, sweating, dizziness, and feeling jumpy or easily startled. Chronic stress caused by PTSD can also lead to longer-term physical issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic pain.

What can you do when you face PTSD?

• During flashbacks, try to focus on the present moment: Open your eyes, look around you, and remind yourself of where you are, the date, and that you are safe right now.
• Use your senses: Ground yourself by touching something nearby, taking a sip of water, or washing your hands.
• Breathe deeply: Encourage yourself to take slow, deep breaths to help calm your nervous system.
• Talk to someone: Call a friend and share what you are experiencing.
• Move around: Get up and move to help refocus your mind and reduce distress.
• Seek professional help: Find a trauma counsellor. You can choose to work with someone face-to-face or get an online trauma counsellor.

What is a trauma therapist?

A trauma therapist is someone trained specifically to work with trauma. These therapists provide a safe, supportive environment to help clients process and work through their trauma. They often utilise Trauma-Focused approaches to assist clients in managing trauma symptoms, regulating emotions, and challenging harmful beliefs.

Typically, a trauma therapist will hold qualifications in trauma and have completed internships in a related field. Always inquire about your therapist’s qualifications before beginning treatment.

What is an online trauma therapist?

An online trauma therapist is someone who works with clients remotely and specialises in trauma therapy. A good online therapist considers ethical practices just like those in face-to-face therapy. Important factors include safeguarding privacy and confidentiality, as well as understanding the limitations of online therapy. These limitations include a lack of nonverbal cues, such as posture and body language. Although this can hinder communication and understanding, the flexibility of sessions and the ability to have sessions tailored to your needs often outweigh the negatives for many individuals.

Competent online trauma counsellors also know when it is unsafe to work with someone remotely, such as when a person is at high risk of suicide or has a diagnosed personality disorder.

Who generally seeks trauma therapy online?

Anyone can search for trauma therapy online, and people seek therapy for different reasons. For some, online therapy is the very first step in their healing process, especially for those who suffer from conditions like agoraphobia—fears of going places where they believe they cannot escape.

Some people may have experienced direct trauma through physical assault, while others may seek help because they have witnessed someone else being attacked. Otherwise known as vicarious trauma, experiencing trauma through other people’s pain. If you or anyone you know has experienced trauma, please feel free to contact us.

In emergencies, always call 999.