Understanding Trauma: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and What Helps

Person with long hair gazing out a window, reflecting quietly, symbolizing the inner world of trauma and the hope for healing.

Trauma doesn’t always look like what people expect, but it always deserves care.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I like this?”, why you overreact, shut down, feel anxious for no reason, or avoid things you once loved, trauma might be part of the answer.

Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind. It lives in the nervous system. It lingers in the tension in your shoulders, the racing thoughts before bed, the way you flinch when someone raises their voice. You don’t need to remember exactly what happened to be affected by it. And you don’t need to wait for things to get worse before reaching out for help.

At Tidal Trauma Centre, we offer online trauma therapy across British Columbia designed to meet you wherever you are. In this guide, we explore what trauma is, how it shows up in everyday life, and what kinds of support are available (even if you’re not ready to talk about it yet).

What Counts as Trauma?

Trauma isn’t about what happened. It’s about what happened inside you, what your body and nervous system had to do to survive.

Common sources of trauma include:

  • Physical or sexual violence

  • Childhood neglect or emotional abuse

  • Car accidents or medical trauma

  • Witnessing harm to others

  • Chronic stress in chaotic or unsafe environments

  • Grief, abandonment, or relational betrayal

  • Generational and systemic trauma

We often differentiate between “capital-T” trauma (catastrophic or one-time events) and “lowercase-t” trauma (chronic, subtle, or cumulative stressors). Both matter. Both can disrupt your sense of safety, belonging, and trust. Both can live in your body for years, even decades.

How Trauma Shows Up in Everyday Life

Trauma doesn’t only show up in obvious ways. It often hides in coping patterns, physical symptoms, or emotions that feel too big or too far away.

Here’s what trauma can look like in real life:

Emotional Experiences

  • Constant fear, shame, or guilt

  • Emotional numbness or flatness

  • Sudden waves of anger or panic

Body-Based Symptoms

  • Chronic pain, fatigue, or migraines

  • Muscle tightness, clenched jaw, or shallow breathing

  • Digestive issues or disrupted sleep

Mental & Cognitive Impacts

  • Trouble focusing or remembering things

  • Feeling “foggy” or spaced out

  • Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or racing mind

Behavioural Adaptations

  • Avoidance of people, places, or situations

  • People-pleasing, perfectionism, or control-seeking

  • Overworking, substance use, or disconnection from pleasure

These are not flaws. They are adaptations. Survival strategies. Often invisible from the outside, but deeply valid on the inside.

Why Choose Online Trauma Therapy?

Healing from trauma requires consistency, nervous system safety, and relational trust, not a specific office or commute. Many of our clients across BC choose online trauma therapy because it allows them to access high-quality support from home.

Online therapy may be ideal if:

  • You live in a rural or remote area

  • You’re managing chronic illness, fatigue, or disability

  • You feel safer in your own space

  • You travel often or need more flexible scheduling

  • You’re a parent, caregiver, or shift worker

We work with clients in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, Fernie, Haida Gwaii, and dozens of small communities across BC.

We use Jane, a secure, Canadian video platform. Our team will guide you in setting up a calming space and help you find a rhythm that feels grounding and contained.

What Kind of Therapy Helps with Trauma?

There’s no single “right” way to heal. Different approaches work for different people. At Tidal Trauma Centre, our therapists are trained in a wide range of trauma-informed modalities and will collaborate with you to find the best fit.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps reprocess distressing memories and reduce emotional intensity using bilateral stimulation, especially helpful for PTSD and chronic reactivity.

Somatic Experiencing works with nervous system regulation and body-based trauma responses — like freeze, shutdown, or chronic tension.

OEI (Observed and Experiential Integration) uses visual field techniques to support emotional integration, often without needing to retell the story.

Lifespan Integration supports nervous system repair by walking through repeated, regulated timelines that help rewire attachment and self-trust.

CBT-Informed Trauma Therapy offers practical tools for managing trauma-related thought patterns, flashbacks, and anxiety in day-to-day life.

Each approach is adapted to your needs, pace, and readiness. We don't believe in forcing a method, we believe in working relationally, collaboratively, and compassionately.

You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Own System

You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart. You don’t have to prove that your pain is “bad enough.” If your nervous system is asking for relief, that’s reason enough to reach out.

Fill out a New Client Form to be matched with one or more of our trauma-informed therapists.
Or, if it feels right, book a free consult or appointment online or in Surrey.

  • Not at all. Many people benefit from trauma therapy even without a formal diagnosis. If you experience anxiety, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, or a sense of disconnection, therapy can help.

  • Yes. Many clients find online sessions feel more comfortable and less intimidating, especially at the beginning. We ensure all sessions are secure, regulated, and supported.

  • It depends on your history, goals, and nervous system capacity. Some people benefit from a few months of work. Others engage in longer-term support. We’ll move at a pace that honours your needs, not a prescribed timeline.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental health advice. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
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More Than Thoughts: How CBT and Body-Based Therapies Support Trauma Recovery

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Healing After a Hard Childhood: How Trauma Therapy Helps with ACEs