Top Signs You May Benefit From Trauma Therapy
Trauma isn’t always as obvious as we think. While some experiences—like a car accident, natural disaster, or assault—are clearly traumatic, other forms of trauma can be more subtle, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Maybe it’s growing up in an unpredictable household, experiencing emotional neglect, or enduring repeated stress that leaves you feeling anxious, disconnected, or on edge.
At Live Full Therapy in Nashville, we know that trauma affects everyone differently. Some people experience flashbacks or nightmares, while others struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, or relationship challenges without realizing these issues are rooted in unresolved trauma. If you’ve ever wondered, Do I need trauma therapy?—this guide is for you.
What Is Trauma, Really?
Trauma is any distressing event or repeated experience that overwhelms your nervous system’s ability to cope. It’s not just what happened to you—it’s how your body and mind processed it.
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) shows that trauma can disrupt brain function, particularly in areas related to emotion regulation, memory, and stress response (Van der Kolk, 2014). This is why trauma can have lasting effects, even long after the event itself.
Trauma can stem from:
✅ A single traumatic event (e.g., an accident, assault, or sudden loss)
✅ Ongoing stress or emotional neglect (e.g., growing up in an unstable household)
✅ Relational wounds (e.g., toxic relationships, betrayal, or abandonment)
✅ Chronic stress from societal or systemic factors
The good news? Trauma therapy can help you reprocess and heal from these experiences, so they no longer define your daily life. Here are the top signs it may be time to seek support.
1. You Feel Constantly On Edge or Overwhelmed
Ever feel like your body is stuck in fight or flight mode—even when nothing is wrong? Trauma can rewire the nervous system, making it harder to relax or feel safe.
Signs of a Dysregulated Nervous System:
🚨 You startle easily or feel jumpy
🚨 You struggle to "turn off" anxious thoughts
🚨 You often feel exhausted but wired at the same time
🚨 You experience frequent headaches, tension, or digestive issues
Why Therapy Helps: Trauma therapy—especially somatic therapy—helps retrain the nervous system, teaching your body how to feel calm and safe again.
2. You Experience Flashbacks, Nightmares, or Unwanted Memories
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks are hallmark signs of unprocessed trauma. Even if you try to avoid thinking about the past, memories can surface unexpectedly, making you feel like you're reliving the experience.
Common Signs of Repressed Trauma:
🌀 Recurring nightmares related to past events
🌀 Feeling triggered by specific sounds, places, or people
🌀 A sense of emotional numbness when recalling past experiences
Why Therapy Helps: EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is especially effective for processing distressing memories, helping the brain reframe and store them in a way that reduces emotional intensity.
3. Your Relationships Feel Difficult or Unfulfilling
Unresolved trauma doesn’t just affect you—it can shape the way you connect with others. If you’ve experienced emotional neglect, betrayal, or unhealthy dynamics in the past, you may find it hard to trust, feel safe, or set boundaries in relationships.
Signs Trauma Is Affecting Your Relationships:
💔 You avoid emotional intimacy or fear getting too close
💔 You have difficulty trusting people, even when they haven’t hurt you
💔 You feel emotionally dependent on or disconnected from others
💔 You struggle with conflict or have a strong fear of abandonment
Why Therapy Helps: Relational therapy can help you identify and heal attachment wounds, break unhealthy patterns, and create deeper, more secure relationships.
4. You Struggle with Self-Worth or Negative Beliefs
Trauma can plant seeds of self-doubt, shame, or unworthiness, leading to harsh self-criticism or feelings of inadequacy. This often shows up as:
🔹 A persistent inner voice saying “I’m not good enough”
🔹 Feeling like you have to prove yourself or seek external validation
🔹 Difficulty accepting compliments or believing in your own worth
Why Therapy Helps: Trauma therapy helps you challenge limiting core beliefs and replace them with self-compassion and a more balanced perspective.
5. You Use Avoidance or Numbing Behaviors to Cope
If certain places, conversations, or emotions feel too painful to face, you might find yourself avoiding them altogether. This can look like:
❌ Overworking to stay busy and distracted
❌ Using alcohol, food, or other substances to numb emotions
❌ Avoiding people or situations that might trigger past memories
Why Therapy Helps: A trauma-informed therapist can help you process emotions safely and gradually, so you no longer need to numb or suppress them.
6. Everyday Stress Feels Unmanageable
When past trauma remains unprocessed, even small stressors can feel overwhelming. You might notice:
😰 Intense emotional reactions to minor frustrations
😰 Feeling mentally frozen when faced with decisions
😰 Chronic fatigue or burnout, even when you’re doing “nothing”
Why Therapy Helps: Trauma therapy helps strengthen emotional resilience, giving you tools to handle stress in a healthier, more balanced way.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help You Heal
The best part? Healing is possible. Trauma therapy isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about changing how it affects you today.
At Live Full Therapy in Nashville, we offer a holistic approach to trauma therapy, incorporating:
🌀 EMDR Therapy – Reprocess traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress
🌿 Somatic Therapy – Release trauma stored in the body through body-based healing techniques
💬 Relational Therapy – Improve relationships and rebuild trust
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Reduce anxiety and increase emotional regulation
No two trauma experiences are the same, and neither is the healing process. That’s why our therapists work collaboratively with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If any of these signs resonated with you, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate this alone, either. Seeking therapy is a powerful act of self-care, and it’s never too late to start your healing journey.
🌿 Schedule a free 20-minute consultation today and let’s talk about how trauma therapy can help you reclaim peace, resilience, and a deeper connection to yourself.
CONNECT WITH A THERAPIST:
LIVE FULL THERAPY
Your neighborhood therapy practice in the heart of East Nashville. Offering a personalized and holistic approach to help you lead a more full and connected life.
GET IN TOUCH:
hello@livefulltherapy.com
2002 Eastland Ave, Unit 101
Nashville, TN 37206
