Trauma

Giving a unanimous answer to this question is complicated, and I do not pretend to be able to do so here. Depending on the therapeutic approach, the therapist and the culture, the definition of trauma may vary, and its perception may therefore be modified. I want to share here my understanding of trauma, as it colors the way I work with my patients.

Lately, the term “trauma” has become increasingly popular, yet its definition is not always so clear. Often, people think first of acts of war, physical and sexual assault, or events that are considered “serious”. While all of these events can indeed lead to post-traumatic symptoms, my understanding of trauma encompasses more than that.

First of all, I would emphasize that trauma is physiological, although there are psychological, emotional and relational consequences. This is why the two therapeutic approaches I use to work on these issues: Lifespan  Integration  Therapy (LI) and Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT), work respectively on neural integration and with the body.

In this perspective, it is according to the reaction (integration capacity) of the system to an event perceived as threatening, that post-traumatic aspects (PTSD or C-PTSD) will take place or not. This understanding makes it possible to include many situations that I believe may be related to trauma. I am thinking, for example, of educational violence, confrontation with serious illnesses, psychological and emotional abuse, attachment traumas, or even neglect and emotional deficiencies.