The physician & trauma expert, Gabor Maté, says, "Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness." When we experience something overwhelming, the response of those closest to us is the critical factor in determining whether we will be traumatized.

Too many of us have had overwhelming experiences followed by dismissal, punishment, shame, anger, or abandonment. Having nowhere to turn with our overwhelm, we store it in our bodies.

Trauma therapy involves establishing a foundation of trust, renegotiating traumatic experiences, moving through overwhelming feelings, and––crucially––providing the compassionate response that was missing when it was needed most. It's hard work, but you don't have to do it alone.