Trauma Therapy

Trauma Therapy in Chicago

“Trauma is primarily physiological…it is something that happens initially to our bodies and our instincts. Only then do its effects spread to our minds, emotions and spirits.” – Dr. Peter Levine

The Effects of Trauma

After experiencing a traumatic event you can often feel overwhelmed.  You may feel unsafe in your body. You may struggle with shame and avoid situations.  Your memories may seem unclear or missing, but remembering can feel re-traumatizing. Trauma can cause depression, anger, recurring thoughts of the event, physical reactions like headaches and chest pains, insomnia, and low-self-esteem.

Racial Trauma

Racial trauma, or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), refers to emotional injury caused by racial bias, racism, and hate crimes. When a person experiences an emotionally painful, sudden, and uncontrollable racist encounter, they are at risk of suffering from a race-based traumatic stress injury.  Prolonged experiences of racism can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD.  

Relational Trauma

Relational trauma occurs in childhood when the bonding between caretakers and child is disrupted or interrupted. These primary relationships impact all the other relationships that come afterward. This includes relationships with others and with oneself. Relational trauma may develop when a child cannot maintain a sense of being safe and loved within their family. The child may feel emotionally abandoned or invalidated by one or more parents or caregivers.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Trauma-informed therapy provides a safe way in which to address the past.  Therapy can restore a sense of control in your life. Trauma informed therapies can address  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual abuse, sexual assault, childhood trauma, racial trauma, grief, dissociative disorders, self-injury and witnessing violence. Read more about the mind, the body, and trauma in this interview with Bonnie Badenoch.

Trauma-Focused Therapies at Lakeview

Lakeview Center therapists may be trained in Body-Mind Psychotherapy (BMP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic Experiencing (SE), all of which are integrated with psychodynamic therapy. This addresses both the symptoms and long-term effects of trauma.

For more information about trauma therapies, please contact us.

To understand the deep, long-lasting effects of relational trauma, here is a video: