Are You Looking For Childhood Trauma Therapy in Ventura?
Maybe you’re a high functioning person, yet are struggling on the inside.
Or, maybe you’re great at your job but relationships are hard.
You might people please, stuff emotions, or always feel dysregulated.
Childhood Trauma (CPTSD) shows up differently for everyone. Often, it can feel as if you are going along with life, doing well, and then a stressful event happens or something triggers you and you fall into depression, anxiety, chronic pain or illness. This can be a common occurrence for adults with trauma histories. For others, maybe you’ve always struggled inside and life is just hard. Overall, we understand the pain of past trauma. Importantly, Childhood Trauma Therapy in Ventura can help. We also support clients all over California online.
Childhood Trauma is Complex Trauma (CPTSD)
You might have heard the terms used interchangeably. But basically, Complex Trauma (CPTSD) refers to ongoing, repeated trauma. Often this is trauma where one feels helpless and/ or trapped for many years. While Complex Trauma can occur in adulthood, most professionals equate Complex Trauma to Childhood Trauma. Additionally, Childhood Trauma is also referred to as Developmental Trauma.
Signs Childhood Trauma is Affecting You
- People Pleasing
- Chronic Shame
- Perfectionism
- Stuffing Feelings
- Anxiety & Overwhelm
- Depression & Isolation
- Difficulty Trusting Others
- Relationship Issues
- Chronic Pain/ Chronic Illness
- Feeling Numb
- Can’t Say No or Set Boundaries
How Childhood Trauma Affects The Nervous System
Common beliefs that children learn with trauma are- I’m alone, I don’t matter, I’m helpless. If you’ve taken on these hard beliefs in childhood, as an adult, it can leave your brain on high alert, always scanning for danger. This is called being stuck in a sympathetic state- flight/ fight/ freeze. Subsequently being on like this all the time can result in difficulty relaxing, sleeping, hypervigilince, sensory overwhelm, chronic body tension. This is also called nervous system dysregulation.
Additionally, while many get stuck in an activated sympathetic state, many with childhood trauma experience the complete opposite, a collapsed state- fatigue, depression, hopelessness. Maybe you have a hard time leaving your home, sleep too long, procrastinate, or have no motivation. Overall, we use childhood trauma therapies that target the deeper brain and nervous system so that you can find balance and peace.
Our Approach To Childhood Trauma
While some people have clear memories of their trauma, many do not. Adults with childhood trauma often have fragmented memories or no memories at all. Importantly, you don’t need to remember everything to heal. Trauma actually shows up in the present. It shows up via triggers, relational problems, beliefs about self or others, and physical ailments. Importantly, basic cognitive therapy doesn’t reach the deeper parts of the brain where trauma responses live. Therefore, our trauma therapists use experiential therapies that do deeper- Coherence Therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other parts work modalities.
Examples of Childhood Trauma
Emotional Abuse
Emotional Neglect
Bullying
Sexual Abuse
Parentification
Emotionally Immature Parents
Sibling Abuse
Addiction in The Home
Physical Abuse
Childhood Trauma and Chronic Pain & Illness
There have been many scientific studies that link trauma in childhood to adult chronic pain and illness. From from 1995 to 1997 the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) was completed. Over 17,000 people were tracked. Subsequently, people with a higher ACE scores were more prone to chronic health conditions, addiction, depression, and anxiety. The ACE questionare asks questions around emotional abuse, death in the family, neglect, and more. Also, other studies are finding that childhood trauma rewires brain fear circuits which can have effects on adult immune systems. But to emphasize, adult brains can change. Good therapy for childhood trauma (CPTSD) and lifestyle modifications can result in a healthy mind and body.
FAQ
Can childhood trauma affect relationships?
Often, yes. Childhood experiences shape what we expect from relationships. As adults, this can show up as difficulty trusting others, fear of abandonment, people pleasing, avoiding conflict, or feeling responsible for other people’s emotions.
My parents loved me. Can I still have childhood trauma?
Absolutely. Many parents love their children deeply and still struggle to provide emotional attunement, consistency, or safety. Childhood trauma is often less about whether your parents loved you and more about how your experiences affected your developing nervous system.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. Importantly, we use a variety of trauma modalities. For example, EMDR, Flash Technique, and DBR, you don’t need to go into all the historical details. In other modalities, we might go back in time, but in a more empowered way. In many cases, healing happens by working with emotions, beliefs, and nervous system responses in a way that feels manageable and supportive. The goal is not to overwhelm you.
Can childhood trauma cause depression?
For some people, yes. Childhood trauma can lead to feelings of shame, hopelessness, there is somethign wrong with them, or a belief that one’s needs do not matter. These patterns may contribute to depression in adulthood.
Childhood Trauma Therapy in Ventura, California
Reach out – Schedule with a Childhood Trauma therapist in Ventura. We offer therapy in person and online all over California. Our office is close to Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. Contact us to connect with a therapist and learn about becoming a new client.
Get In Touch
Call
805.669.8176
Location
5550 Telegraph Rd. Ventura, California, 93003
Located near Ojai, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks.
Also seeing clients for online therapy all over.
