The Body Remembers Even When You Don’t: How Trauma Hides in Plain Sight
When most people think of trauma, they imagine a single catastrophic event: a car accident, a natural disaster, or a violent assault. But trauma is often far more subtle, complex, and long-lasting than that. For many individuals, trauma doesn’t come from one moment in time but from a series of experiences that slowly rewire the nervous system and shape how they move through the world. This is the reality of what trauma therapists see every day.
As a trauma therapist in Washington State, I work with individuals who often don’t initially identify their experiences as "trauma." They come in struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic shame, difficulty in relationships, or feeling stuck in self-destructive patterns. Many of them say, "Nothing that bad happened to me. I don't know why I feel this way."
This is where trauma hides in plain sight.
Understanding How Trauma Lives in the Body
Trauma isn’t just a psychological wound; it’s a physiological one. The body holds onto unprocessed traumatic experiences, often without our conscious awareness. This is a concept deeply rooted in trauma-informed therapy and supported by neuroscience.
The autonomic nervous system, which controls our fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses, is central to this process. When we experience overwhelming events—especially those we can’t escape or make sense of—our body stores those memories not as stories, but as sensations: a tight chest, a racing heart, a frozen feeling in the limbs. This is why trauma therapy often includes somatic (body-based) interventions alongside traditional talk therapy.
Signs You May Be Carrying Hidden Trauma
Trauma can manifest in many ways that aren’t always obvious. Here are some common signs that you might benefit from trauma-informed therapy:
Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
Unexplained physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, stomach issues, chronic pain)
Difficulty setting boundaries or saying no
Recurring patterns in relationships that feel unhealthy or unsafe
Sudden mood shifts or emotional outbursts
If you relate to any of these, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve experienced a single, major trauma. It might mean you’ve experienced what we call "chronic relational trauma," "attachment trauma," or "developmental trauma" — especially in early life.
What Trauma-Informed Therapy Looks Like
Trauma-informed therapy isn’t about rehashing painful memories. It’s about creating a safe, grounded space where healing can happen at your pace. A trauma therapist understands the impact of trauma on the brain and body, and tailors treatment to avoid re-traumatization.
This might include:
Somatic therapies that help reconnect you to your body safely
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help reprocess distressing memories
Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore different parts of yourself without shame
Psychoeducation that helps you understand your nervous system and triggers
As a trauma therapist, I integrate these approaches with deep respect for each client's pace and personal history.
The Path to Healing Starts with Recognition
The first step in healing from trauma is often simply recognizing that what you experienced was trauma. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to be damaging. If your nervous system has been stuck in survival mode for years, that matters. And it deserves care.
Healing is possible. It takes time. It takes safety. And it takes support.
If you’re searching for trauma therapy in Washington State or wondering whether your symptoms might be rooted in unresolved trauma, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to keep pushing through or figuring it out by yourself.
Finding a Trauma Therapist
When looking for a trauma therapist, it’s important to find someone who not only understands trauma clinically, but who also creates a space of warmth, safety, and respect. You deserve to work with someone who believes your story, listens without judgment, and knows how to walk with you through the slow, nonlinear process of healing.
Trauma doesn’t define you. But acknowledging it can open the door to reclaiming parts of yourself you may have thought were lost.
If you’re ready to begin or simply want to learn more, reach out. Trauma-informed therapy is here to help your body and mind remember what safety feels like again.
Contact me to get started or learn more about my specialties, such as Trauma Therapy.
