Darin King Counseling | Trauma & Telehealth Therapy PA

A person sits quietly in a sunlit room, reflecting, representing emotional trauma and healing.

What Is Trauma and How Does It Show Up in Daily Life?

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is more common than many people realize. Whether it’s a result of childhood experiences, a significant life event, or ongoing emotional neglect, trauma can deeply influence how we think, feel, and interact with others. If you’ve ever wondered why you overreact to certain things or feel emotionally exhausted for no clear reason, unresolved trauma may be the root cause.

Trauma counseling can help you make sense of those patterns and start to feel more in control of your life.

What Exactly Is Trauma?

Trauma refers to the psychological and emotional impact of deeply distressing events. These can include:

  • Childhood abuse or neglect
  • Domestic violence
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Medical trauma
  • Sexual assault or harassment
  • Witnessing violence

There are different types of trauma:

  • Acute trauma: From a single event
  • Chronic trauma: Repeated exposure to distress
  • Complex trauma: Multiple, layered traumatic experiences, often in childhood

How Trauma Shows Up in Everyday Life

You don’t need to have flashbacks or nightmares to be dealing with trauma. Often, it’s much more subtle and shows up in everyday behaviors and emotions:

1. Emotional Reactivity

Do small situations trigger big emotions? You may be more prone to anger, tears, or shutting down—signs that your nervous system is on high alert.

2. Hypervigilance or Anxiety

Feeling constantly “on edge”? This is a common symptom of trauma, as your brain tries to stay in survival mode long after the threat is gone.

3. Avoidance and Numbing

You may avoid people, places, or even thoughts that remind you of painful memories. Distractions like overworking or substance use are often used to cope.

4. Low Self-Worth

Trauma often creates toxic beliefs like “I’m broken” or “I don’t deserve love.” These beliefs can hold you back from healthy relationships and self-growth.

5. Relationship Challenges

Unresolved trauma impacts communication, trust, and intimacy. You may find yourself repeating the same toxic patterns or feeling emotionally distant from loved ones.

6. Physical Symptoms

Unexplained chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, or digestive issues can be your body’s way of holding onto unresolved trauma.

Why Trauma-Informed Therapy Helps

Healing is possible. Individual therapy that is trauma-informed gives you a safe place to process your story, regulate your nervous system, and reframe harmful beliefs.

A licensed trauma therapist can help you:

  • Identify trauma symptoms and triggers
  • Learn grounding and self-regulation skills
  • Explore and process painful memories
  • Build emotional resilience and improve relationships

You’re Not Broken—You’re Surviving

Everything you’ve done to cope makes sense when you understand trauma. You are not alone, and you don’t have to continue surviving on your own.

Therapy can be the first step in reclaiming your peace, your power, and your story.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

At Darin King Counseling, we specialize in trauma therapy, counseling for dysfunctional family systems, and relationship counseling. Our virtual sessions offer compassionate, evidence-based support to clients across Pennsylvania.

Ready to take the first step?

You’re not alone. We’re here to help you heal.