Understanding Complex Trauma: Healing from Repeated Trauma and Building Resilience
Written by: Lauren Larkin, LMHC
When most people think of trauma, they imagine a single, catastrophic event. But many individuals experience repeated traumas over time, known as complex trauma, which can profoundly affect emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma occurs when safety—physical, emotional, or sexual—is repeatedly compromised. This can happen in abusive households, in multiple unhealthy relationships, or through prolonged exposure to unsafe environments.
A key point to understand is that trauma is defined not by the event itself, but by its impact on your daily life. Two people may experience similar events yet have very different emotional and behavioral responses.
How Complex Trauma Can Present
Complex trauma is often misdiagnosed. For example, some people are labeled with borderline personality disorder due to patterns in their relationships that stem from trauma, not personality traits.
In a trauma-informed approach, the focus is on understanding your full experiences:
What happened to you?
How often did it happen?
What were your caregivers like?
What have your relationships been like?
This helps assess the cumulative impact of trauma, rather than just labeling symptoms.
Healing is Not Linear
Recovery from complex trauma isn’t straightforward. Each individual’s journey is unique, and therapy must be tailored to your personal experiences, needs, and strengths. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—what works for one person may not work for another.
Dissociative Memory Loss and Self-Blame
Many survivors of complex trauma experience dissociative memory loss, forgetting parts of their experiences. Coupled with self-blame, this can lead to questioning whether the trauma “really happened” or whether it was significant.
In therapy, we validate that your experiences did happen, even if you don’t remember every detail. Your body’s responses and emotions often tell the story, even when your memory does not. Ask yourself:
“Why would my brain or body respond this way if nothing happened to me?”
Finding Support and Community
Support is critical for healing. I run sexual trauma support groups on Wednesday nights for women in New York and Florida. These groups provide a safe space to share experiences, connect with others, and find guidance on the healing journey.
Final Thoughts
Complex trauma can feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing. But with the right support, validation, and trauma-informed care, healing is possible. Every person’s story is unique, and your recovery journey will reflect your experiences, resilience, and strength.
If you’ve experienced sexual trauma or complex trauma and are seeking support, consider joining a group or connecting with a trauma-informed therapist. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
In Need of Support?
At LEL Therapy, we believe your darkest chapter can lead to your brightest one. Whether you’re navigating an eating disorder, trauma, relationship struggles, anxiety or general mental health concerns, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
You don’t have to do it alone!