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Trauma Care Guide

Understand trauma and find the right support

This guide helps you understand what trauma is, how it can show up, and how to choose a therapist and approach that suit you. It is educational, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you are in immediate danger or crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis line in your area.

What is trauma?

Trauma is not only about what happened. It is about how your mind and body were able, or unable, to process the experience at the time. Two people can live through similar events and be affected very differently. Support, timing and a sense of safety make a significant difference to recovery.

Types of trauma

• Single-incident trauma: a one-off event such as an accident, assault or disaster.
• Ongoing trauma: repeated stress or harm such as domestic conflict, bullying or chronic workplace harm.
• Complex trauma: long-term experiences, often starting in childhood, involving neglect, abuse or persistent fear.
• Developmental trauma: early disruptions to attachment and emotional safety during key stages of growth.
• Vicarious trauma: the impact of working with or caring for others in distress.

Common trauma responses

• Poor sleep, startling easily, feeling constantly on alert
• Sudden memories or images, distressing dreams
• Feeling numb, spaced out or disconnected from yourself or your surroundings
• Avoiding reminders of what happened
• Irritability, shame, low mood, loss of interest
• Difficulty trusting others, feeling unsafe in relationships

These are not signs of weakness. They are survival responses that helped you then and may be getting in the way now.