The impact of trauma on relationships.

Healing from trauma is a journey that involves not only personal growth, but also navigating relationships in a new light.

For many people, past experiences of trauma can significantly impact how they connect with others, often leading to difficulties in trust, intimacy, and communication.

Many people often want to know how to feel safe in relationships after trauma, but before we cover that, first let’s uncover some of the ways that trauma might impact how you feel in relationships.

Trust issues - Experiencing trauma can lead to a deep-seated fear of vulnerability. You might find it challenging to trust others, fearing that they may hurt you again.

Fear of getting close - The emotional and physical closeness that relationships often require can feel overwhelming. You might struggle with letting others in or fear being hurt.

Conflict avoidance - Trauma can make conflict feel dangerous. You may resort to people-pleasing or silence to keep the peace, which can hinder open communication.

Hypervigilance - You might be overly sensitive to your partner's behaviors or moods, leading to anxiety and an inability to relax in social situations.

Stay tuned for another post about strategies to help work towards feelings of relational safety and to help build healthy relationships.

And if you relate to this post, then you’re in the right place! My name is Erin and I’m a mental health and EMDR therapist in Salt Lake City.

I specialize in working with women who’ve experienced trauma or who are finding themselves stuck in unhelpful patterns in their emotions or their relationships.

I’m accepting new clients in Utah and I’d love to talk to you about what working together would be like.

Click here to schedule a free intro call with me - no strings attached. I can’t wait to meet you!