How Trauma-Informed Therapy Helps Heal Complex Trauma

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Written By Christina Sheehan

Many people with complex trauma have tried therapy before, but left feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or blamed. That’s often because trauma requires a different approach.

Trauma-informed therapy recognizes that:

  • Symptoms are adaptive responses

  • Healing must feel safe to be effective

  • The nervous system leads the process

    What Makes Therapy Trauma-Informed

    Trauma-informed therapy centers on safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. This means:

  • You are never forced to talk about anything before you’re ready

  • Therapy moves at your nervous system’s pace

  • You have a say in goals, boundaries, and direction

  • Your responses are met with curiosity—not judgment

    Working with the Nervous System

    Complex trauma often leaves the nervous system stuck in survival mode. Trauma-informed therapy helps you:

  • Recognize fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses

  • Learn grounding and regulation skills

  • Build tolerance for emotions without overwhelm

  • Restore a sense of internal safety

    Healing Relationships and Self-Trust

    Because complex trauma often occurs in relationships, healing also happens relationally.

    Trauma-informed therapy supports:

  • Repairing attachment wounds

  • Developing healthy boundaries

  • Trusting your perceptions and needs

  • Reconnecting with your authentic self

    Approaches include attachment-based therapy (childhood stuff), Internal Family Systems (IFS)-(all your parts), compassion-focused work (being kind to yourself), mindfulness (staying present), and relational therapy(building trust in relationships).

    What Healing Can Look Like

    Over time, clients often report:

  • Feeling calmer and more grounded

  • Less reactivity and more choice

  • Stronger boundaries without guilt

  • A kinder relationship with themselves

  • A sense of finally being “at home” in their body

    A Gentle Invitation

    Trauma-informed therapy isn’t about fixing you, it’s about understanding you.

    If you’re ready to explore healing complex trauma in a way that feels respectful, collaborative, and deeply human, I invite you to reach out.

    Christina Sheehan, LPC, LMHC
    Inner Life Psychotherapy — Radical, Transformative Counseling for Highly Sensitive Women
    Telehealth in Oregon & Washington
    503-470-3128 │ www.innerlifetherapy.com

Christina Sheehan
Next

What Is Complex Trauma, and Why It’s So Often Misunderstood