Trauma has an impact on a physical, emotional and psychological level and leaves deep traces in people that are often unconscious. It is essential to integrate traumatic experiences instead of suppressing or avoiding them.

Here are some of my key thoughts on trauma:

1. trauma as fragmentation of the personality

I describe trauma as an event or a series of events that are so overwhelming that they fragment the personality. Trauma causes a person to split off from a part of themselves in order to deal with the pain, fear or overwhelm. This splitting leads to the traumatic experiences being “encapsulated” in the unconscious, which can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression or psychosomatic complaints in the long term.

2. trauma and body memory

An important aspect of my understanding of trauma is body memory. It emphasizes that traumatic experiences are not only stored on a psychological level, but also on a physical level. The body “remembers” the trauma and often reacts with tension, pain or other symptoms, even if the person affected no longer remembers the trauma on a conscious level. This somatic dimension of trauma plays a central role in her work, as the body can serve as a gateway to trauma healing.

3. trauma as a protective mechanism

I don’t see trauma as something “negative”, but as a protective mechanism of the human system. When a person has a traumatic experience, they split off or “dissociate” in order to protect themselves from the overwhelming pain. This splitting off therefore serves a short-term survival purpose. The problem arises when this dissociation persists and the person is unable to process and integrate the trauma later on.

4 The necessity of integration

The integration of traumatic experiences is at the heart of my approach to trauma healing. Repressed or unconscious traumas that are not dealt with can lead to a variety of psychological and physical problems. My approach aims to help the affected person to consciously reintegrate the split-off parts so that the trauma can be resolved and the personality can become “whole” again. This process requires patience, compassion and often a step-by-step approach to the traumatic experiences.

5. the emotional expression

An essential part of my work with trauma is to encourage emotional expression. Traumatic experiences are often associated with a strong emotional charge that is often suppressed or blocked. These repressed emotions – such as anger, fear or sadness – need to be safely expressed in a safe space to enable healing.

6. attachment and trauma

An important role in the healing process is played by attachment trauma, i.e. trauma caused by early attachment experiences in childhood. I am convinced that traumatic experiences in early childhood, especially in the relationship with primary caregivers, can have a profound impact on a person’s trust, ability to bond and self-esteem. These early traumas often influence a person’s entire life, as they shape the basic patterns for later relationships and the perception of oneself.

7. trauma and self-regulation

Another important topic in my work is self-regulation. Traumatized people often have difficulties regulating their emotions and nervous system. Trauma can put the nervous system into a permanent state of hyperarousal or hypoarousal, which can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks or depression. Part of the healing process therefore involves helping the nervous system to return to a state of balance.

8 Trauma as an opportunity for transformation

Despite the severity of traumatic experiences, I also see trauma as an opportunity for deep personal transformation. When people develop the ability to process and integrate their traumatic experiences, they can not only alleviate their symptoms, but also establish a deeper connection to themselves and others.

9. trauma and community

The importance of community and social relationships in trauma healing is hugely important. Isolation and the feeling of being alone with the trauma can make healing more difficult. It is therefore important to have a supportive environment, whether through therapy, friendships or self-help groups, where the traumatized person feels safe, heard and understood.

9. superpowers

To deal with the various traumatic experiences in life, people develop survival strategies. These are practiced unconsciously over many years and generate abilities that are often invisible to the physical eye, e.g. the ability to scan the room for danger, to differentiate between emotions with the timbre of the voice, to interpret facial expressions, gestures and body movements perfectly. These abilities are retained after emotional integration and serve as valuable resources for the person.