There are apparent traumatic events and less than clear traumas that can affect how a person functions within a relationship. Some of the more evident traumas include being a survivor of sexual or physical abuse, whether as a child or an adult, and witnessing violence within the home while you were growing up. Some less obvious traumas that have profound effects may include having a parent who was a drug user or alcoholic, being yelled at or spanked too much during childhood, and not having ample attention as a child because of circumstances at home.  In addition, experiencing sudden unresolved loss or having roots in a culture that experienced a history of generational trauma are less obvious examples of trauma.  Experiences like these can trigger emotional reactions within even the most healthy of our future relationships because they have become an essential part of who we are and are forever ingrained within our bodies. Couples therapy can often bring about the discovery of these traumas even when we do our best to forget them.

Traumatic events deserve their own platform for expression and healing. Dealing with the effects of personal traumatic events should not be handled within couple’s therapy sessions and instead require the one-on-one attention offered by individual therapy in Orlando. Individual therapy sessions will allow you and your therapist to attune to these issues without considering the effect on your partner. A therapist giving personal attention to your bravery in living through such situations is the only way to build the trust, safety, and intimacy required to effectively heal the pain and change the reactions you are experiencing regarding the trauma you have suffered.