As mental health professionals, we receive many questions ab out trauma and what it entails. Many people are survivors of trauma from domestic violence, mass shootings, aggravated assault, natural disasters, sexual assault, or abuse. Others have experienced trauma in less obvious, but still significant ways.

Many first responders work in fields where they experience trauma on a daily basis. Over time, this can lead to secondary trauma and a lacks of self compassion while continuing to care for others.

At Reviving Hope Christian Counseling in Fort Worth, TX, we offer trauma counseling for those who feel unable to navigate their trauma on their own. Our Fort Worth office serves adult individuals and couples as well as teens 13+ throughout Fort Worth and surrounding communities such as Keller, Southlake, Benbrook, Aledo, and Arlington. Our desire is for you to experience emotional support and develop healthy coping skills to forward. We would never say that you will "get over" your trauma, but we do believe that it doesn't have to define you.

Below is a list of common questions about trauma-informed therapy.

What is trauma and how do I know if I've experienced it?

Trauma can be a confusing topic to understand. When it comes to trauma treatment, clinicians often refer to "Big T" trauma, such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, or a serious car wreck—events that are clearly traumatic and easier to identify. There can also be "little t" trauma, which may be less obvious but still deeply impactful.

Little t trauma can include growing up with a parent who belittles you or being consistently ignored compared to your siblings—where one child favored. Over time, repeated little t traumas can accumulate and have effects similar to Big T trauma.

What are the common symptoms of trauma?

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress can affect you emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual effects. Trauma occurs when you brain has not fully processed a traumatic event. This memory can become stored in the part of your brain associated with the fight-flight-freeze response. When you are reminded of the event, you can have an emotional response. The trigger can be small or significant, and it may cause you to feel as though you are reliving the event.

What are the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

A lot of people ask what are the symptoms of PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can be summarized in the four As:

• Avoidance of reminders or triggers

• Arousal and reactivity: hypervigilance, irritability, being easily startled

• Altered mood or cognition: negative beliefs, shame, emotional numbness

• Actively re-experiencing the trauma: nightmares or flashbacks.

Not all trauma leads to PTSD. However, when symptoms become persistent and significantly impair daily functioning, PTSD may be present.

How do trauma symptoms affect your mental health condition and daily life?

Like many mental health challenges, trauma can impact multiple areas of your life. Trauma can lead to depression, grief, and reduce daily functioning. Some trauma survivors may attempt to cope through behavioral addiction, such as porn and sex addiction, or substance use due to limited coping skills. Trauma symptoms can cause someone to shift quickly into fight, flight, or freeze responses, which can take a serious toll on relationships.

Can unresolved trauma cause relationship or intimacy problems?

Yes, they absolutely can. In couples therapy, we often talk about about how trauma impacts relationship. If someone has PTSD symptoms or has a traumatic events, it can trigger their fight, flight, or freeze responses. This can be hard for the partner to experience and navigate.

Many parents of people with PTSD struggle to understand what triggers these reactions, and they might not even be aware of what is triggers them. Sometimes partners may unintentionally contribute to the triggers. In trauma counseling, we discuss these triggers in a safe environment that is different from past situations.

The situation is even more complicated if there has been an affair or pornography use. These situations can trigger the injured partner and make navigating the relationship much more difficult. The relationships may feel unsafe, so part of the healing journey is rebuilding trust.

What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's an evidence-based modality when it comes to therapy. Therapist undergo trauma-focused training to become EMDR trained or certified. While researchers do not fully understand why EMDR works, it has a strong success rate in reducing PTSD symptoms.

Traumatic memories can become stored in a survival-focused part of the brain rather than in areas responsible for logical, contextual processing. EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they are integrated in a healthier way—allowing the memory to feel like something that happened in the past rather than something still happening in the present.

Some theories suggest that the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR mirrors processes that occur during REM sleep, when the brain consolidates short-term memories into long-term storage.

Is EMDR safe and effective for adults?

Yes, it's safe. All EMDR trained therapists have attended EMDRIA-approved EMDR training. These research-backed trainings teach protocols to ensure safety. Therapists do not begin by diving into a client’s most intense trauma.

A key part of EMDR is resourcing—developing emotional stability and coping skills before processing traumatic memories. We do not begin by diving into the most painful memories. Instead, we spend several sessions building internal resources so you are prepared for deeper work.

EMDR can be described as processing trauma mentally without prolonged exposure. Rather than revisiting the physical location of the trauma, you revisit it safely in your mind while guided by your therapist.

Can Betrayal Trauma cause PTSD Symptoms?

Absolutely! When a spouse betrays you with pornography, this can cause a shock to your system especially if it has been going on for years. The betrayed partner is not only face with the acting out behavior, but they are also faced with the lies and deception that has been going on throughout their marriage. They are understandably confused by what was real in their marriage. And this was done by someone that was suppose to have their back and promised fidelity to them.

If there was an affair, then there is even more devastation for the betrayed partner as there was another person. This can cause all types of understandable triggers due to the betrayal being so deep.

How many sessions does trauma therapy with EMDR usually take

It depends. Trauma therapy may take longer for individuals with complex trauma.

Complex trauma includes repeated abuse during childhood—such as sexual or physical abuse—which often results in complex PTSD. This type of trauma involves multiple experiences rather than a single event.

Single-incident trauma is typically easier to process. EMDR processing can often begin by the third or fourth session. During treatment, additional memories may surface that also require attention.

Can Christians benefit from EMDR therapy?

Yes. While the Bible does not specifically mention PTSD, it addresses human suffering and provides wisdom and insight. Many Christian clients find it helpful to incorporate faith—using Jesus or God as an internal resource—into trauma therapy. This approach can be powerful in combination with evidence-based interventions like EMDR.

Will EMDR therapy make me relive my trauma?

A skilled trauma therapist will move at a pace that prioritizes safety. You will not be forced to relive your trauma in early sessions. Instead, the focus is on resourcing—developing coping skills and emotional stability before processing traumatic memories.

Often, EMDR begins with smaller, less intense memories before addressing larger trauma-related events, ensuring a safe and manageable process.

Can trauma therapy help anxiety, depression, or addiction?

Yes. Trauma therapy can benefit individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or addiction. Traumatic experiences may contribute to these conditions, and addressing them in individual therapy can improve mental health outcomes.

EMDR and other trauma-informed therapy techniques help clients stay present, reducing the pull of anxiety toward the future and trauma toward the past.

What should I expect in my first trauma therapy session?

The first session is focused on creating a safe and supportive environment. Your trauma therapist will not immediately delve into detailed memories of the traumatic event.

Instead, the session emphasizes resourcing—building coping skills and emotional stability. This ensures you can safely engage in deeper processing in future sessions.

Does community help me with my trauma?

Yes! Community is essential. We were created for connection, and stable, secure relationships support healing. Community support groups and group therapy are excellent ways to complement individual therapy and address trauma-related disorders.

Do you offer trauma therapy online?

Yes. Our therapists provide mental health counseling and trauma-informed therapy online, including EMDR. Even in a virtual setting, you can engage fully in trauma therapy and develop coping strategies to navigate past trauma safely.

At Reviving Hope Christian Counseling, our trauma therapists are trained in trauma-informed therapy and would be honored to guide you through your healing journey. Our therapists have specializations in trauma, grief, addiction, porn addiction, anxiety, couples, sex and intimacy, and teens 13+. Check out our blog for more counseling content!