Trauma is the emotional and physiological response to distressing events. It may arise from a single incident, chronic exposure, or relational harm. It’s defined by how it impacts you, not just the event itself.

Dr. Christina Stai

Understanding Trauma

Q: What are Common Signs of Trauma?

Common signs of trauma include intrusive memories, anxiety, avoidance, trust issues, emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and physical symptoms like fatigue or tension.

Trauma isn’t weakness—it’s a response to what you’ve lived through.

At Holistic Resources Clinic, we support individuals navigating trauma with compassion, clarity, and clinical expertise. Trauma can reshape how you think, feel, and relate to the world—but it doesn’t define who you are. Whether rooted in childhood, relationships, systemic harm, or sudden events, trauma is valid, and healing is possible. Your story matters, and you deserve support that honors it.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is the emotional and physiological response to distressing or life-threatening events. It can result from a single incident (like an accident or assault), chronic exposure (such as abuse or neglect), or relational wounds (like abandonment or betrayal).

You don’t have to experience a major disaster to be traumatized — trauma is defined by how the event impacts you, not just the event itself.

What are Common Signs of Trauma?

Trauma responses can affect the brain, body, and relationships. Symptoms often include:

Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Anxiety or hypervigilance
Numbness, avoidance, or emotional shutdown
Difficulty trusting others
Sleep disturbances or nightmares
Difficulty regulating emotions
Physical symptoms (fatigue, tension, headaches)

Trauma & Neurodivergence

For neurodivergent individuals (like those with ADHD or Autism), trauma can present differently — and is often misunderstood. Shutdowns may be mistaken for depression, and emotional dysregulation may be dismissed as behavior issues. Dr. Stai uses a neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed lens to ensure these experiences are accurately understood and gently supported.

Dr. Stai’s Trauma-Informed Approach

Dr. Christina Stai creates a safe, validating space for clients to process trauma at their own pace. Her work is rooted in:

Neurodiversity-affirming care
Relational and attachment-focused therapy
Mind-body awareness and emotional regulation
Evidence-based trauma therapies (including TF-CBT and DBT)

Whether your trauma stems from childhood, relationships, systemic harm, or unexpected events — healing is possible with the right support.