"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:18

Have you ever felt like your body remembers something your mind is trying to forget? Maybe certain sounds, smells, or situations trigger intense anxiety, anger, or a desire to shut down completely. You might feel constantly on edge, struggle with sleep, or find yourself reliving painful memories even though the danger has passed. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone—and you're not broken. Your body and mind are doing exactly what they were designed to do in response to trauma.

The Challenge: Trauma Lives in the Body

Trauma is more than a distressing memory; it's an experience that fundamentally changes how our nervous system responds to the world. According to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, psychiatrist and author of The Body Keeps the Score, trauma is stored not just in our thoughts but in our bodies—in muscle tension, breathing patterns, and physical sensations (van der Kolk, 2014). This is why people who have experienced trauma often struggle with chronic pain, digestive issues, panic attacks, and a sense of being disconnected from their own bodies.

Many people in Charlotte live with the aftermath of traumatic experiences—whether from childhood abuse, domestic violence, car accidents, military service, medical trauma, or other deeply painful events. Traditional talk therapy alone may not be enough to address trauma because it primarily engages the thinking brain, while trauma is held in the emotional and physical parts of the brain that don't respond to logic or reasoning (van der Kolk, 2014). Without trauma-informed treatment, survivors may feel stuck, hopeless, and as though healing is impossible.

The Solution: Trauma-Informed Counseling Offers a Path to Healing

Trauma counseling recognizes that healing requires addressing the whole person—mind, body, and emotions. At Bareiter Counseling Center, our therapists are trained in trauma-informed approaches that create safety, rebuild trust, and help clients process painful experiences without retraumatization. We use evidence-based therapies such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic experiencing, and cognitive processing therapy to help clients move from survival mode to a place of empowerment and peace.

Our counselors understand that trauma is not your fault and that your reactions—whether hypervigilance, avoidance, or emotional numbness—are adaptive responses to overwhelming experiences. With compassion and expertise, we walk alongside you as you reclaim your life and discover that healing is possible.

Application

Reflection Prompt: When you think about your trauma, where do you feel it in your body? What sensations arise—tightness, heaviness, numbness, or something else?

Gentle Practice: This week, practice grounding yourself when triggered. Notice five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This brings you back to the present moment.

Spiritual Anchor: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3

How Does EMDR Help with Trauma?

EMDR is a specialized therapy designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotional and physical reactions. Van der Kolk explains that trauma memories are often stored in fragments—images, sounds, sensations—that feel as vivid and threatening as the original event (van der Kolk, 2014). EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, to help the brain integrate these fragments and move them from a place of distress to a place of resolution.

What Can I Expect in Trauma Counseling?

Trauma therapy is a collaborative, client-centered process that moves at your pace. At Bareiter Counseling Center, trauma counseling typically includes:

1. Building safety and trust — Creating a therapeutic relationship where you feel seen, heard, and respected. Your counselor will work with you to establish coping skills and a sense of stability before processing trauma.
2. Understanding your trauma response — Learning how trauma affects the brain and body helps normalize your experiences. You're not overreacting—your nervous system is protecting you.
3. Processing traumatic memories — Using approaches like EMDR, IFS, somatic therapy, or narrative therapy, you'll work through painful experiences in a way that reduces their emotional charge and allows healing to occur.
4. Reconnecting with yourself — Trauma often leads to disconnection from your body, emotions, and sense of self. Therapy helps you rebuild that connection and discover who you are beyond the trauma.
5. Building resilience and moving forward — As healing progresses, you'll develop new coping strategies, strengthen relationships, and create a life that reflects your values and hopes.



The benefit of trauma counseling is profound: clients report feeling less triggered, more grounded, and able to engage in life without constantly feeling on guard. They learn that their past doesn't have to define their future and that they have the strength to heal.

Reclaiming Your Story

Just as the psalm reminds us, the brokenhearted are not forgotten. Trauma may have shaped your story, but it doesn't have to write the ending. With compassionate, trauma-informed care, healing is not only possible—it's within reach.

If you're struggling with the effects of trauma—whether anxiety, depression, PTSD, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others—you don't have to carry this burden alone. The counselors at Bareiter Counseling Center in Charlotte are here to provide compassionate, research-based trauma therapy tailored to your unique needs. Learn more about trauma therapy at Bareiter Counseling Center by following this link: https://www.bareitercc.com/therapy-for-trauma

Call us today at 704-334-0524 to begin your healing journey.

Reference:

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.