Why Can't I Get Over My Trauma? How Trauma Therapy Works to Help Your Brain Heal
Trauma can leave us feeling stuck, as if our thoughts, memories, and emotions are caught in a loop we can’t escape. This isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s the brain and nervous system’s way of protecting us from overwhelming experiences.
Healing from trauma takes time, safety, and support. This blog will address some common questions about trauma, including why it can be so hard to overcome and how trauma therapy supports the brain and body in healing.
Why Does Trauma Stay "Stuck" in the Brain?
When something threatening happens, a part of the brain called the amygdala sounds the alarm and floods the body with stress hormones. At the same time, the hippocampus, which organizes and stores memories, gets disrupted. This is why traumatic memories often come back as fragments rather than clear, complete stories.
After the danger passes the brain is supposed to settle, but sometimes it doesn't. The alarm stays on, and the nervous system keeps scanning for threats even in safe situations. This is a natural survival response that has simply gotten stuck, it is not a personal failing.
Healing involves creating experiences of safety, reconnecting with the body, and helping the nervous system learn that the danger has passed. Practices like mindfulness and breathwork can support this process alongside professional therapy.
What Is the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?
Trauma is the natural response to an overwhelming or frightening event that disrupts our sense of safety and control. Feeling anxious, on edge, or emotionally raw in the weeks following a traumatic experience is common and expected.
PTSD, or Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder, occurs when those responses do not ease over time and continue to significantly interfere with daily life for more than one month after the event. PTSD is an often complex condition that requires structured care and support to heal. Therefore, if you are still struggling significantly more than a month after a traumatic experience, reaching out to a trauma-informed therapist is a worthwhile step.
What Are Common Trauma Responses People Don’t Recognize?
Trauma often appears in subtle ways, beyond flashbacks or panic. People may find themselves people-pleasing, withdrawing, emotionally numb, hyper-independent, or overly self-critical as a way to feel safe. These behaviors are not flaws, rather they are adaptations the brain develops to protect us. Recognizing these patterns as responses to trauma opens the door to understanding, compassion, and healing.
What Types of Therapy Are Most Effective for Trauma?
Trauma-focused therapies help the brain and nervous system process overwhelming experiences rather than avoid them. Approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing and Narrative Exposure Therapy guide individuals in reframing thoughts and integrating memories safely. These therapies focus on helping the mind and body reorganize past events and create space for safety, presence, and connection to return.
How Long Does Trauma Therapy Take to Work?
There is no single timeline for trauma therapy since each healing journey is unique. That said, many structured therapies are designed to deliver meaningful progress within a set timeframe. CPT is typically 12 sessions; Prolonged Exposure generally runs 8 to 15 sessions. People with more complex or long-standing trauma may benefit from a longer process. Your therapist will work with you to set a pace that feels safe.
Can You Heal From Trauma Without Talking About It?
Healing from trauma does not always require talking about the event itself. Safety, connection, and nervous system regulation can be cultivated through grounding, breathwork, supportive relationships, and meaningful activities. These practices allow the body and mind to release the grip of trauma gently. While talking can be helpful when you are ready, simply feeling supported and understood can create the safety needed for healing to unfold.
How to Find a Trauma-Informed Therapist in Alberta
At The Grief and Trauma Healing Centre, our therapists hold extensive training in evidence-based trauma therapy and bring genuine care to their work. Many also carry a deep personal connection to the areas they specialize in, allowing them to support you with both clinical skill and real understanding.
Our therapists offer in-person counselling in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and Calgary and virtual counselling across Alberta. If you are ready to take the brave first step, we encourage you to reach out today.