You are not defined by what happened to you.
Trauma is not defined solely by what happened to you, but by how your body and nervous system were impacted by those experiences.
Peter Levine, the developer of Somatic Experiencing, describes trauma as what occurs when the nervous system becomes overwhelmed and is unable to complete its natural response to threat. Even when the danger has passed, the body may continue to hold onto patterns of protection—such as fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown—as if the threat is still present.
This means trauma can develop not only from single, acute events, but also from chronic stress, early attachment disruptions, medical experiences, illness, or environments where safety and support were inconsistent. Trauma is less about the event itself and more about the nervous system being asked to handle more than it was resourced to manage at the time.
From a somatic perspective, these patterns are not signs of weakness or pathology. They are intelligent survival responses that once served a purpose. Trauma therapy focuses on helping the nervous system gently update these responses, so it can recognize when safety is present and regain flexibility, regulation, and choice. Shelby blends Somatic Experiencing with traditional psychotherapy approaches in ways that prioritize safety and support each client’s natural resilience, meeting you where you are and moving at a pace that feels manageable.
Trauma can be understood as too much, too soon, too fast. It includes anything that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope.
When the nervous system doesn’t have the opportunity to fully process and resolve overwhelming experiences, those responses can remain stored in the body. Over time, this may show up as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, chronic stress, difficulty trusting others, feeling disconnected from the body, or a sense of being “stuck” or on edge—even when life feels relatively safe.
The First Nations people understand trauma to be a “disconnection between the self and spirit. The spirit has left or has been jolted from the body. The work then is to help bring the spirit back.” - Anita Charleson-Touchie
Examples of single incident traumatic experiences
Sexual assault/abuse
Motor vehicle accidents
Falls
Hate crimes
Illness or injury
Natural Disasters
Medical emergencies or hospital traumas
Birth
Being “othered”
Examples of systemic, cultural, and transgenerational trauma:
Racism
Homophobia/transphobia
Classism
Ageism
Housing instability
Anti LGBTQ+ legislation
Poverty
Religious trauma or abuse
Immigration
Slavery, war, genocide, the Great Depression, the Holocaust
Examples of developmental or ongoing trauma:
Child neglect or abuse
Chronic financial strain
Lack of supportive or attuned caregivers
Instability within family of origin
Emotional and psychological abuse
Bullying
Infertility
Family dynamics
What Trauma Therapy With Me Looks Like
Trauma therapy with me is collaborative, paced, and grounded in nervous system safety. I work from a trauma-focused, somatic lens, blending Somatic Experiencing with traditional psychotherapy approaches to support both emotional understanding and the body’s capacity to respond and adapt.
Collaborative
Sessions are guided by your nervous system and your goals. We move slowly, with attention to choice, consent, and what feels supportive to you in the moment. This approach helps reduce overwhelm and allows healing to unfold in a way that feels sustainable and respectful of your lived experience.
Grounded in Nervous System Regulation
This approach supports the body in finding steadiness and regulation before addressing painful or overwhelming experiences. By moving slowly and with care, therapy helps restore a sense of safety, choice, and flexibility.
Cultivated Towards Greater Resilience
Our work together helps you build steadiness and confidence in your ability to meet what arises. Over time, this can support greater ease, flexibility, and self-trust.
Trauma therapy can be helpful for a wide range of experiences and challenges, including:
Complex PTSD or developmental trauma – Patterns that have persisted from early life or repeated stressors.
Attachment wounds – Difficulty trusting others, forming close relationships, or feeling safe with connection.
Medical trauma or chronic illness – Nervous system stress related to illness, medical procedures, or ongoing health challenges.
Anxiety and hypervigilance – Persistent worry, tension, or feeling unsafe even in low-risk situations.
Depression or emotional numbness – Difficulty connecting with feelings, motivation, or joy.
Self-soothing and coping challenges – Trouble regulating emotions, managing overwhelm, or calming the body.
Body disconnection or tension – Feeling out of touch with bodily sensations, experiencing chronic tension, or difficulty relaxing.
Chronic stress or nervous system dysregulation – Feeling on edge, “shut down,” or stuck in fight/flight/freeze patterns.
Trauma related to relationships – Experiences of emotional, physical, or relational harm that impact trust and connection.
Life transitions and overwhelm – Times when past trauma or stress makes navigating change difficult.
Constantly feeling easily irritated or angry - Quick to fight, outbursts at others, or frequent annoyances.
What you may notice as a result of working together:
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Greater Resilience
A strengthened ability to respond to life’s challenges with steadiness rather than being overwhelmed.
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Expanded emotional awareness
Greater attunement to your feelings, and the ability to experience them without being flooded or shut down.
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Improved trust in your body and nervous system
Feeling more confident that your body can respond and recover, rather than being controlled by past experiences.
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Enhanced joy and ease
Moments of connection, play, or pleasure may feel more accessible.
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Increased capacity for presence
Feeling more available to yourself and others, with less tension or avoidance.
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Healthier relationships
Increased ability to set boundaries, communicate needs, and connect more authentically with others.
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Freedom and confidence in your own skin
Helping you feel more grounded, capable, and fully alive.
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Deeper Relaxation
Finding moments of rest even during stressful times
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Strengthened self-trust
Relying on your own internal guidance and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s completely normal to have questions about what therapy for trauma could look like. I welcome curiosity and am happy to answer any questions and concerns about the process.
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You don’t need a specific event or diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy. If your nervous system feels stuck in patterns of stress, shutdown, or vigilance, this work may be supportive.
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No. Trauma therapy can support experiences like chronic stress, medical trauma, attachment wounds, chronic illness, or long-term nervous system dysregulation as well as individuals with formal cPTSD or PTSD diagnoses.
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You don’t need to share details of your experiences for therapy to be effective. This work focuses on nervous system regulation, safety, and resilience, so healing can occur even without recounting the events themselves. That being said, I welcome any and all parts of your story that you would like to share with me.
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It doesn’t have to be. This work is grounded in nervous system safety. We move slowly, track what feels manageable, and adjust as needed to reduce overwhelm. Activation and emotions will likely arise at times during sessions, but we will work together to build your capacity to be with what feels challenging. We will never “push through” or force you to neglect the messages your body is communicating with you.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.