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How Traumatic Events Live in Us

  • Writer: Christy Burgess
    Christy Burgess
  • Jun 10
  • 1 min read

Updated: Jul 6

There are moments in life — that stop time — a car accident, a loss of someone deeply loved, or a violation of safety or trust. For some those become traumatic moments. They do not all look the same, nor is the body's response. Within seconds the body records and stores that felt sense. It does not forget.


But what happens after the moment passes?


That felt reaction can be unconsciously locked away, and it may not surface for months, years, or even at all. Then something happens... a sight, a sound, a smell, a taste, or a touch... and the body recalls that traumatic moment all at once. When this happens, the connection to the trauma is not conscious. The body begns responding to something the mind has yet to recognize. There may be no language for it only an awareness that something is not okay. That disconnect can be one of the most confusing parts of carrying unprocessed trauma. What is actually happening is that the body is still responding to something it has not been able to release.


Does any of this feel familiar? Your body has been holding onto something real. This is something I can help you navigate.


What was once held can be released.
What was once held can be released.

 
 
 

Comments


"I respectfully acknowledge that the land on which I work, and gather is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Attawandaron (Neutral) Peoples. They have maintained a longstanding sacred relationship with the land and water in southwestern Ontario since time immemorial. I honour the resilience, wisdom, and ongoing contributions of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples across Canada. The impacts of colonization led to displacement of the Indigenous Peoples, loss of life, soul wounds, and intergenerational trauma which continue to be felt today. Systemic injustices and discrimination persist, and it is our collective responsibility to acknowledge them and no longer ignore it! We must find a way to end these atrocities so that we all may find a way to begin to repair and heal what has been done. Healing cannot begin without truth, and reconciliation requires action. I recognize that my land acknowledgement does not change the past, nor can it undo the long-standing harm that has been caused. However, as a Registered Psychotherapist, I am committed to listening, learning, and integrating culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches into my practice. I strive to create a safe space that respects Indigenous knowledge, promotes healing, and supports reconciliation in meaningful ways." - Christy Burgess

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