Understanding PTSD and Complex Trauma: What It Is and How Healing Happens

Not all trauma looks the same. And not all healing follows a straight line.

At Beam, we work with people who are living with the effects of trauma—whether from a single overwhelming event or years of chronic stress. Some know it as PTSD. Others describe it as anxiety, emotional numbness, or the sense of always being “on edge.”

Whether your trauma has a clear cause or a name you’re still trying to find, it’s real—and you deserve care that meets you with compassion and clarity.

What Is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Common symptoms of PTSD in adults include:

  • Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories

  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

  • Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

  • Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response

  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

  • Irritability, guilt, or shame

These symptoms aren’t signs of weakness—they’re the brain and body’s way of trying to protect you after something painful or overwhelming.

What Is Complex Trauma?

Complex trauma, sometimes called C-PTSD, refers to repeated or long-term exposure to traumatic experiences—especially in childhood or relationships. This can include:

  • Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

  • Neglect or abandonment

  • Domestic violence

  • Ongoing bullying or systemic oppression

  • Growing up with a caregiver who was emotionally unavailable, unstable, or unsafe

Unlike PTSD, which is often linked to a specific incident, complex trauma is relational. It can affect how you see yourself, how you relate to others, and how safe you feel in your own body.

How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body

Trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s a full-body experience.

It impacts the nervous system, shapes your sense of identity, and can affect your relationships, attention, and sense of trust. Some people feel constantly activated, like they’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Others feel shut down or disconnected from themselves and the world around them.

This is your body’s survival system doing what it was designed to do. But over time, those protective patterns can get in the way of living fully.

Trauma Therapy at Beam

We believe trauma healing isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about reconnecting you with safety, agency, and choice.

At Beam, we offer trauma therapy for both PTSD and complex trauma, using approaches like:

  • EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  • Somatic and body-based therapy

  • Trauma-informed CBT

  • Mindfulness and interoception practices

  • Attachment repair and relational work

We know that no two trauma stories are the same, and we don’t rush the process. Healing unfolds over time, at your pace, with support that’s attuned to your nervous system and lived experience.

How to Heal From Trauma

There’s no single roadmap—but there is a path.

Healing from PTSD or complex trauma often begins with building safety—in your environment, in your body, and in your relationships. From there, therapy may include:

  • Learning nervous system regulation tools

  • Gently processing painful memories when you’re ready

  • Reclaiming your sense of agency and self-worth

  • Cultivating connection and meaning beyond survival

The goal isn’t to forget the past—it’s to feel like you have a future that’s not defined by it.

You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Own Skin

Whether you’ve lived with PTSD symptoms for years, or you’re just starting to name what you’ve been through, you’re not alone.

At Beam, we offer trauma-informed therapy in Vermont and via telehealth across select states. Our approach is holistic, grounded, and rooted in dignity.

Book a free consult or reach out to us—we’d be honored to walk with you on your healing journey.

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