Have you ever wondered why certain memories replay like an old film reel, especially when you least expect it? Maybe it’s a sound, a smell, a glance—and suddenly your body tenses, your breath shortens, your mind escapes. If this resonates with you, you're not alone. This is often the experience of people living with trauma, PTSD, or Complex PTSD.
As a clinical psychologist, I walk alongside individuals who carry these invisible wounds. And let me tell you—your pain is valid, and healing is possible.
"I like imagining better than remembering… but why are the worst memories the most insistent?" - Anne with an E
Trauma: When the Mind and Body Can't Digest Pain
Trauma isn't always about the event itself—it’s about the impact it has on us. It’s the moment when emotional pain exceeds our ability to process it. And in those moments, our bodies do what they must to survive: fight, flee, freeze, or dissociate.
But what happens when survival mode becomes the default? When our body, in trying to protect us, never gets the message that we are safe now?
Often, people describe feeling numb, disconnected, or on edge. Others say, "I don't know why I overreact," or "I feel like I'm not really here." These aren’t just symptoms. They’re the body’s brilliant - yet exhausting - attempts to cope.
PTSD vs. Complex PTSD: What’s the Difference?
Most of us have heard of PTSD—a condition once mainly associated with war veterans. It typically follows a single, life-threatening event. But what about the wounds caused by ongoing trauma—especially in childhood?
That’s where Complex PTSD (CPTSD) comes in. It arises from chronic trauma, often in relationships that were supposed to be safe: a neglectful parent, an abusive partner, systemic oppression.
PTSD symptoms include:
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
- Hypervigilance and irritability
- Avoidance of trauma reminders
CPTSD includes all of the PTSD symptoms, plus:
- Deep-rooted difficulties with self-worth
- Emotional dysregulation
- Struggles with trust and relationships
And here’s the thing: CPTSD is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially because it can be masked by perfectionism, people-pleasing, or high-functioning anxiety. Have you ever felt like you’re wearing a mask just to get through the day? That could be trauma, too.
How Healing Happens: Therapy for PTSD & CPTSD
Healing from trauma is not about forgetting the past. It’s about reclaiming your present.
Together, we work to help your body feel safe again, your mind make sense of your story, and your heart reconnect with others. There are many pathways, and we choose the one that feels right for you:
- EMDR: Reprocess trauma by reconnecting the emotional and rational brain.
- Somatic Therapy: Use the body as a guide—because trauma lives in the body.
- CBT & Schema Therapy: Reshape unhelpful beliefs that keep you stuck.
- Psychodrama & Group Therapy: Share, express, and be witnessed by others.
- Yoga, meditation, biofeedback: Tools to ground, soothe, and expand your emotional resilience.
Each session is a step toward remembering who you were before the world taught you to be afraid.
You Are Not Broken
If any part of this article resonates, please take it as a gentle reminder:
You are not weak. You are not too much. You are not beyond repair.
You are someone who adapted to survive. Now, it might be time to learn how to thrive.
I welcome you to reach out - whether you feel ready for therapy or are just curious. Together, we can explore your story, at your pace, with care, compassion, and science-backed support.
You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.
Written by Alice Bertoldo, Fung Tsoi Lam Christel and Amanda Prudencio Rebeschini