How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body: A Therapist's Guide to Healing

Trauma doesn’t just live in your memories—it imprints on your nervous system, your emotions, and even your physical health. At Healing Intimacies, we know that understanding what trauma does to the brain and body is the first step toward compassionate, long-term healing.

Understanding the Neurology of Trauma

When we experience trauma—whether acute or complex—it directly impacts the brain’s functioning. The amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex are the three key regions affected:

• Amygdala: Becomes hyperactive, constantly scanning for danger.

• Hippocampus: Disrupted memory processing, leading to flashbacks and disorientation.

• Prefrontal Cortex: Decreased activity, which impairs decision-making and emotional regulation.

Trauma essentially puts the body in a persistent fight, flight, freeze, or fawn state, making it hard to feel safe—even when there is no present danger.

The Body Remembers—Somatic Effects of Trauma

According to body-based trauma therapy, the nervous system stores trauma in ways talk therapy alone may not resolve. Common somatic symptoms include:

• Chronic pain

• Muscle tension

• Digestive issues

• Fatigue or insomnia

• Dissociation or numbness

These symptoms are the body's way of expressing what the mind can't process. Its often easier for us to recognize when the cause is directly in front of us. Such as when we are about to go on stage, knowing their is a big audience, and we feel sick to our stomachs all of a sudden! Once our speech, presentation, or performance is over we notice that stomach feeling we had before is now gone, and we recognize it as being “nervous”.

Tip: Healing is not just a mental process—it’s deeply physical. That’s why our practice at Healing Intimacies integrates both body and mind.

Trauma-Informed Healing: What Works?

At Healing Intimacies, our therapeutic approach combines evidence-based methods with compassionate, body-aware healing. Here are some modalities used:

1. Somatic Therapy

By tuning into bodily sensations, clients can begin to regulate their nervous systems. Somatic therapy helps clients recognize internal cues and build capacity for grounding.

2. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

This powerful technique helps reprocess traumatic memories and allows the brain to heal naturally.

3. Inner Child and Attachment Work

Many trauma wounds stem from early relational disruptions. Addressing these through inner child work can rebuild trust and safety.

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Understanding how our brain perceives the world allows us to connect how our body responds to the world around us.

Steps Toward Healing: What You Can Do Today

Even outside of therapy, there are small ways to start soothing a trauma-impacted nervous system:

• Practice deep belly breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6)

• Engage in grounding practices like walking barefoot or mindful stretching

• Prioritize sleep and nourishment

• Create routines that promote a sense of safety

If you're ready to explore deeper healing, schedule a consultation to work with a trauma-informed therapist who honors your pace.

You're Not Broken—You're Wired for Survival

Trauma responses are not flaws—they’re brilliant adaptations. Your body and brain have done their best to protect you. With the right support, you can learn to regulate your nervous system, rewrite your inner narrative, and reconnect to yourself and others with compassion.