Importance of Addressing Your Trauma History

Written by Rachael Schleich, MSW, LSW (she/her/hers)

We often see clients come in wanting to manage daily stress, looking for coping skills and tools to stay calm, stop spiraling thoughts, and avoid snapping at loved ones. They want to “fix” themselves and quiet their worried minds. While learning coping skills is an important part of therapy, it’s only one piece of the work we do together.

As therapists, we don’t just focus on behaviors; we explore what led to them, what purpose they serve, and how past experiences shape who we are today. Our patterns, reactions, and beliefs develop over years of reinforcement, observation, joy, conflict, and, often, trauma. To truly understand and change maladaptive behaviors, we must understand the whole person.

Through self-exploration, clients and therapists work together to uncover patterns, triggers, and the origins of thoughts and coping mechanisms.

This process often brings trauma into focus. Though “trauma” can sound intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. The American Psychological Association (2025) defines trauma as “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.” While we often associate trauma with extreme events like war or assault, it can also stem from divorce, toxic relationships, workplace abuse, food insecurity, unstable housing, bullying, car accidents, and so much more.

Trauma isn’t what’s wrong with you, it’s what happened to you.

Recognizing that trauma is common helps us see we’re not alone in our experiences, emotions, or behaviors. Our actions and reactions are reflections of what we’ve been through. By addressing trauma, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves — how we relate to others, manage distress, and move through the world. When we address the root cause, the symptoms — like anger, anxiety, or conflict — begin to make sense, and healing can begin.

So, coming to therapy isn’t always about more or better tools or skills, sometimes it's

about focusing on what’s underneath the surface. Then, clients are able to present themselves as their best self and in alignment with their values, not just as a reaction to their trauma and what’s happening right now in front of them.

Trauma isn’t your fault, however, it is your responsibility to heal from it. Taking back

control over your emotions, behaviors, and thoughts can boost your self-esteem and

empowerment, improve your relationships, and allow you freedom from what has hurt you.

Resource Spotlight: Mid-Ohio Food Collective

As SNAP benefits have been discontinued, and food is a scarce resource for many all

over Ohio, Valentino Counseling and Consultation encourages donations to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to ensure all Ohioans don’t go hungry. Food insecurity is a traumatic experience, and can be mitigated through financial donations or food donations.

Please go to https://mofc.org/ to learn how you can help your neighbors this month.