Trauma
Trauma does not always look dramatic from the outside. Sometimes it looks like you are freezing when your phone buzzes. Sometimes it looks like overthinking every conversion. Sometimes it feels like your body reacts before your mind can catch up.
We see this every day in therapy. You might wonder why something from years ago still affects you now, even when life looks “fine” on paper. Trauma has a way of lingering quietly, shaping how you feel, think, and relate to others.
What is trauma?
Trauma is the psychological and emotional response to an event, or series of events, that overwhelms your ability to cope.
It is not defined by what happened, but rather how your nervous system experiences it
Two people can go through the same event and walk away with very different reactions. Your response depends on factors such as safety, support, age, and past experiences (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Trauma is not a weakness. It is your nervous system doing its best to protect you. Trauma can affect how safe you feel in your body, how you relate to others, and how you respond to stress long after the event has passed.
What are the different types of trauma?
Acute Trauma
Acute trauma comes from a single, overwhelming event.
Examples include:
- Serious accidents
- Medical emergencies
- Assault or sudden loss
- Natural disasters
The body reacts quickly, often staying in survival mode even when danger has passed.
Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma develops from repeated exposure to distress over time.
Examples include:
- Ongoing emotional neglect
- Domestic violence
- Long-term bullying
- Living in unsafe environments
This type of trauma can quietly reshape how you see yourself and others.
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma usually occurs in childhood or close relationships where escape was not possible.
It often involves:
- Emotional or physical abuse
- Attachment wounds
- Inconsistent caregiving
Complex trauma often affects identity, self-worth, and relationships, not just memory.
What are the different symptoms of trauma?
1. Emotional Symptoms
Trauma often shows up emotionally before you recognise it logically.
Common emotional signs include:
- Anxiety or constant alertness
- Emotional numbness
- Sudden mood shifts
- Shame or guilt that feels hard to explain
2. Physical Symptoms
Trauma lives in the body, not only in memory.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Muscle tension or pain
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Digestive issues
- Sleep difficulties
Research shows that unresolved trauma keeps the nervous system activated, which affects physical health (van der Kolk, 2014).
3. Behavioural Symptoms
Behavioural changes often develop as coping strategies.
These may include:
- Avoidance
- People-pleasing
- Overworking
- Withdrawal from relationships
- Emotional shutdown
Symptoms are not flaws. They are learned survival responses.
What are the causes of trauma?
1. Overwhelming or Life-Threatening Experiences
Trauma can begin when something happens that overwhelms your ability to cope in the moment.
This may include accidents, violence, medical emergencies, or sudden loss.
Even a single event can leave the body feeling unsafe long after it has passed.
2.Relational and Attachment Wounds
Trauma doesn’t always come from danger, it can come from disconnection.
Experiences like emotional neglect, abandonment, betrayal, or inconsistent care can shape how safe you feel with others and with yourself.
Early relationships play a key role in emotional development, influencing how we regulate emotions and form connections later in life (Bowlby, 1988).
3. Prolonged or Repeated Stress
Trauma can also build over time when stress is constant and there is little opportunity to recover.
This might look like ongoing work pressure, caregiving burnout, or repeatedly feeling invalidated or overwhelmed.
Over time, the nervous system adapts to this strain, making it harder to return to a sense of calm.
When To Seek Help
You may consider therapy if:
- Emotional reactions feel overwhelming or confusing
- Stress responses feel out of proportion
- Relationships feel unsafe or exhausting
- Your body stays tense even during calm periods
You do not need to wait for a crisis to seek support.
How Can Us Help You?
At Us, we understand that healing from these traumas is not a standard method; we work to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to process your experiences and work towards recovery.
With the help of the DSM-5, clinicians will review the criteria to check whether your circumstances meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
However, even if an individual does not meet the exact criteria for a diagnosis, they can still receive treatment for their symptoms. We work alongside evidence-based techniques and will collaborate with you to determine what works best for you and your unique journey.
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on how thoughts, emotions and behaviours are connected.
How it works: You learn how to identify unhelpful thought patterns shaped by trauma and replace them with more balanced responses. Therapy also includes practical coping strategies.
CBT is strongly supported by trauma research (Lewis et al., 2020)
2. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a structured, evidence-based therapy most commonly used to support people who have experienced trauma or PTSD. It is based on the idea that some distressing experiences may not be fully processed by the brain at the time they happen, especially when the experience feels overwhelming. As a result, the memory may continue to feel “stuck” or emotionally intense, even long after the event has passed (Shapiro, 2014). Research has found EMDR to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, and it is recognised in several clinical guidelines as a trauma-focused treatment option, including by the American Psychological Association and NICE guidelines for PTSD.
EMDR helps the brain process traumatic memories that may feel “stuck.” During EMDR, your therapist guides you to briefly focus on a distressing memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This can help the brain reprocess the memory in a safer and more manageable way, so it feels less intense and less overwhelming over time.
3. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
How it works: You learn structured skills to manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviours, and improve relationships.
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$325
Principal Psychologist
$305
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$277
Educational Psychologist
$277
Clinical Psychologist
$251
Senior Counsellor
$251
Counsellor
$185
Associate Counsellor
$120
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Trauma
How do you know if you have trauma?
You may notice persistent emotional or physical reactions linked to past experiences. A therapist can help you explore this safely.
What are common reactions to trauma?
Common reactions include anxiety, avoidance, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, and body-based symptoms.
Is PTSD The Same As Trauma?
PTSD is a diagnosis. Trauma is a broader experience. Not everyone with trauma meets criteria for PTSD (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Can trauma be healed?
Yes. Trauma can be processed and integrated. Healing means your past no longer controls your present.
How long does trauma therapy take?
There is no fixed timeline. Progress depends on safety, goals, and individual history.