Trauma Therapist: How Disconnection Protects You – Understanding Dissociation

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Have you ever felt numb, distant, or like you're watching your life from the outside? Maybe you struggle to recall certain memories, or emotions seem just out of reach. That sense of disconnection can feel confusing and isolating, leaving you wondering, Why do I feel this way?

As a Trauma Therapist, I have worked with many clients seeking trauma therapy who don't have access to their emotions, body sensations, or even memories.

Anxiety Therapist Shares The Impact of Stress and Trauma on Our Reactions

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you often feel overwhelmed by your reactions or struggle with intense internal conflict? Perhaps you notice yourself reacting in ways that seem contradictory or out of proportion, leaving you feeling confused or ashamed. These kinds of responses are more common than you might think, especially for those with a history of trauma. The truth is, your reactions make sense in the context of your past experiences. When we’ve been through overwhelming situations, our minds and bodies develop survival strategies to protect us, sometimes leading to extreme or conflicting emotions. In this post, we’ll explore why these responses occur and how they are not only normal but adaptive.

Orlando Therapist Explores the Difference between Physical Trauma & Attachment Trauma

There's been a lot of hype on childhood trauma recently. You could be hearing about betrayal trauma, insecure attachment, or inner child healing from your therapist, on social media, and in everyday conversations. This may prompt you to reflect on your childhood, wondering, "Did I really experience childhood trauma?" You may be unsure whether what you went through is enough to be considered a trauma.

As a trauma therapist in Orlando, I often witness this uncertainty. Some people know that they have experienced trauma in their childhood, while others may be really uncertain.

So, we are going to break down the difference between physical trauma and attachment trauma because they are two different things. While there can certainly be an overlap between these two types of childhood trauma, many people minimize their attachment trauma because they don't understand it as such. However, attachment trauma can have just as big an impact, if not more, as physical trauma.

Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Fawn Response

Do you avoid conflict and then regret it later? Or do you say ‘yes’ when you actually want to say ‘no?’ Do you go out of your way to help others and find that your help is a one-way street? If this sounds like you, you might be experiencing the nervous system response of ‘fawning.’ Fawning is a way to stay out of trouble and stay in the ‘good graces’ of those around you. You go to great lengths to avoid disappointing or upsetting others.

In my last blog post, Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Window of Tolerance, I did a deep dive into common nervous system responses. I saved ‘fawning’ as its own article because fawning can present as both hyperarousal and hypoarousal.

Trauma Therapist: Why We Self-Sabotage

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of getting in your way? You're heading in the right direction and all of a sudden, boom, you kick yourself right off your path. This can look like working hard towards a promotion, only to miss an important deadline because you procrastinated or doubted your abilities. Or it can look like being in a healthy relationship, but focusing only on your partner’s negative traits.

At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we help people stop sabotaging their own efforts so they realize their deepest desires. We help them heal past wounds and traumas so they can get out of their own way and live deeply fulfilling lives.

Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you find yourself overcome with anger, only to fall into a spiral of shame because of what you've said or done? Or do you freeze at other times and hate yourself for not standing up for yourself?

Let’s take a deep dive into what is happening in your nervous system. Psychologists use a concept called the window of tolerance, coined by Dr. Dan Siegel. This offers a map, of sorts, to explore what is happening within your nervous system.

Orlando Therapist Explains How EMDR Transforms Your Life by Alleviating PTSD Symptoms

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Shows an image of someone feeling stressed. Represents how and Orlando therapist can help.

Have you gone through a traumatic or stressful event that has left you dealing with distressing feelings and memories? Are you easily triggered, swamped by discomfort, dread, or anxiety, or trapped in thought and behavior patterns that drain you emotionally and physically? Have you been withdrawing from family and friends and avoiding social interactions because you are afraid anything may trigger a painful memory or a panic attack?

Orlando Therapist: Understanding Trauma

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

If you've experienced trauma, you know that the traumatic experiences can continue to have an impact on your life long after the event has passed. After you've been through trauma the world may seem less safe and more unpredictable. You may struggle to trust others and feel stuck in a cycle of disturbing memories, shame, and isolation.