Healing From Trauma: You Don't Have to Carry This Alone
Your Past Does Not Define Your Future!
TRAUMA
Do your feel stuck in pain you can't explain? If you have experienced something frightening, overwhelming or deeply painful and you "just can't move on" you are not alone! Trauma can leave invisible wounds that linger long after the event. You may find yourself stuck in memories you'd rather forget, or constantly on edge, waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Even when life looks "fine" on the outside, it can feel impossible to fully relax or feel safe.
Do you feel numb or disconnected from others? Unresolved trauma can create a sense of distance from your own emotions, your relationships, and your daily life. You may feel detached, irritable, or like you're living outside of your own body. It can feel like no one truly understands what you're going through, and connection feels harder and harder to reach.
​
​
Do reminders of the past trigger you? Sounds, smells, or situations can unexpectedly activate trauma responses. You may avoid people, places, or conversations that stir up fear or shame. Even years later, your body might still react as if you are not safe. This is not weakness. It is your nervous system protecting you the best way it knows how.
If any of this sounds familiar, please know this. Your responses make sense, and healing is absolutely possible!
What is Trauma?
​
​​
Trauma is an emotional response to an event (or series of events) that feels overwhelming and threatening to your safety or well-being. It might come from:
-
A single event, such as an accident, assault, natural disaster, or loss.
-
Ongoing experiences like abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
-
Witnessing harm to others or experiencing community violence.
-
Discrimination, systemic oppression or intergenerational trauma.
There is no "right" or "wrong" way to respond to trauma and no set timeline for healing. With the right support, recovery is always possible.
Trauma isn't defined by what happened. It's defined by how it affected you. Whether from a single traumatic event or years of ongoing stress, trauma can disrupt your nervous system, your sense of safety, and ability to trust yourself or others.
Commons Signs of Trauma
-
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories.
-
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your body.
-
Avoidance of reminders, people, or places.
-
Feeling on edge or easily startled.
-
Trouble sleeping, irritability, or unexplained physical symptoms.
How Therapy Can Help
​
​
Trauma informed therapy creates a safe, respectful space where healing can begin at your
pace. At Forward Focus Counseling Center, we use approaches that calm your nervous system, process unresolved experiences, and build resilience.
​
You do not have to talk about the trauma right away. Some sessions may start with grounding strategies, body based work, or learning how to feel safe again. Our goal is to help you reconnect with yourself NOT reexperience your pain.
Why Trauma Therapy Works
Your brain and body are wired for survival. When you experience trauma,
your system adapts often in ways that once protected you but may now
cause distress. Trauma therapy helps rewire those patterns.
​
We use evidence based, compassionate approaches including:​
-
Somatic Therapy to release stored trauma from the body.
-
​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe trauma related thought patterns.
-
​Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation.
-
​Mindfulness Based Therapy to build awareness and grounding.
-
​Psychodynamic Therapy to explore the deeper emotional roots of trauma.
-
​Brainspotting or EMDR to process traumatic memories at the brain- body level.
Why Choose Forward Focus Counseling Center
At Forward Focus Counseling Center, we are committed to both clinical excellence and human connection. We understand how trauma affects every part of life from emotions and health to relationships, work and self-identity.
​That's Why We Offer:
​
-
A warm, nonjudgmental environment where you are always met with respect​
-
Therapist trained in trauma Informed care and nervous system regulation.
-
​In-person sessions and virtual sessions across Illinois.
-
​Day and evening appointments.
-
Direct Insurance billing.​
-
Our Care is personalized, flexible, and designed to help you feel seen, supported and safe
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What counts as Trauma?
A: Trauma includes any experience that overwhelms your
ability to cope such as abuse, neglect, loss, accidents,
violence, or chronic stress.
Q: What if I don't remember everything that happened?
​A: That's okay. You don't need a perfect memory to heal. We work with
your current experience emotions, and symptoms at your own pace.
​
Q: Will I have to relive the trauma?
​A: No. Our focus is on helping you feel safe, grounded, and in control. Trauma therapy is about regaining a sense of control not reexperiencing pain.
​
Q: What kind of therapy do you use for trauma?
​A: We use approaches trauma-informed CBT, EMDR (if available), inner child work, and s somatic approaches, always tailored to your needs.
​
Q: How can community partners refer clients?
​A: We welcome referrals from healthcare providers, schools, social service agencies, and faith based organizations to name a few. We also welcome self-referral. Our team coordinates care and keeps your referral source updated on progress with client consent.
​
Q: How does my support help?
​A: Funding from community partners and grants helps expand trauma therapy access, train staff in advanced interventions, and provide care for those in need.
​
You Don't Have to Stay Stuck in Survival Mode
Healing from Trauma is possible. With the right support, you can feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your life again. You are not alone! You Are Not Broken!
