Psychology of Trauma - Spring 2026

Trauma

When a person experiences overwhelming events that threaten life, safety, or bodily integrity and leave them feeling powerless

Characteristics of Traumatic Events

overwhelming stress

loss of control

fear and helplessness

lasting psychological impact

disruption of relationships and identity

Main symptoms of PTSD

hyperarousal

intrusion

constriction

Hyperarousal

constant alertness

sleep problems

anxiety and exaggerated startle response

Intrusion

flashbacks

nightmares

intrusive memories

Constriction

numbing

emotional detachment

dissociation

avoidance of reminders

Complex PTSD

develops after prolonged, repeated trauma (especially when the victim is trapped or controlled)

Dissociation

psychological defense mechanism in which a person disconnects from thoughts, memories, emotions, or identity to survive overwhelming experiences

Hysteria and psychological trauma (late 1800s)

early physicians studied trauma-related symptoms in women

many survivors of abuse were dismissed or disbelieved

Shell shock after World War I

soldiers experienced psychological collapse after combat

trauma was recognized as a wartime issue

Holocaust survivor studies

researchers examined long-term trauma effects among survivors

Women's movement and domestic violence awareness

feminist activists brought attention to rape, incest, and domestic abuse

Effects on Identity

trauma can damage self esteem, trust, sense of safety, personal identity, and ability to form relationships

Attachment and Childhood Trauma

when caregivers become sources of harm, children may develop disorganized attachment, struggle with emotional regulation, or experience long-term psychological effects

Captitivty and Coercive Control

domestic abuse

cults

political imprisonment

human trafficking

hostage situations

Common tactics used by abusers to weaken autonomy and increase control

isolation

intimidation

threats

unpredictable violence

gaslighting

dependency creation

Stage 1 of Trauma Recovery

Safety

Why does safety matter?

Recovery cannot begin while trauma is still occurring

Stage 2 of Trauma Recovery

Remembrance and Mourning

Stage 3 of Trauma Recovery

Reconnection

Social Silence

societies often deny or minimize trauma because acknowledging violence threatens social systems and power structures

Importance of Witnessing

public acknowledgement of trauma helps reduce isolation

Feminist Contributions

trauma recovery is both psychological and polticial

Power and Control

trauma often involves abuse of power

Memory

traumatic memories may be fragmented, vivid, or suppressed

Recovery

possible but usually gradual and non-linear

Connection

relationships and community support are essential for healing

Empowerment

restoring choice and autonomy is central to recovery

What does trauma do?

overwhelm normal coping abilities

How does Dr. Hinitz define trauma?

whatever someone was involved in, they couldn't say no to

What is the difference between honesty and brutal honesty?

Brutal honesty has no compassion

Can you be at the base of the twin towers and view it as not traumatic?

yes

however nobody is trauma immune

Trauma class

The experimental process of exploring, activating (sometimes painful/traumatic) material in an environment designed to enable risk, presence, and authenticity

The purpose is to understand what makes events traumatic, what that might feel like (inside/outside) and to learn about the healing process that helps people transcend from dark places to experiences of light or freedom

Trauma Recovery is

growth, maintenance, and repair

What is an example of how trauma can come back?

swallowing food in a balloon

reopening/loosening

How does Dr. Hinitz view forgiveness and healing?

prematurely offered, happens too early/not helpful

What should forgiveness mean?

go forth - no longer anchored to person/event

should not mean mindwipe

Essential qualities of trauma

helplessness and isolation

Empowered

possibility of taking action

What is all therapy?

exposure therapy

What does it mean to publicly admit?

to invite stigma

What happens when things surface during therapy?

Symptoms clear

mendacity

lying or falsehood

anathema

barely stand the thought of

drug trauma therapy

few cases it might be appropriate

not a medication in the world that can cure trauma/anxiety

Bystander effect

more people = less likely to do anything about it

Latane and Darley

diffusion of responsibility

numbness

connected authentic being

transference

to transfer

countertransference

therapist to patient

most fundamental decision

whether universe is hostile or friendly

passengers observe pilot

children observe parent

hostile

evolution

friendly

psychological success (happiness)

Step 1 in Development

Trust vs Mistrust

Traumatic incident typically lasts

20 seconds to 2 mins

therapeutic relationship

absence of a parent, try it out again

What must all healing be done in the form of

connection

Connections

1) interpersonal

2) intrapersonal

3) transpersonal (spiritual)

what does the RAS detect?

threats of abandonment

Healing

repetition

contact with emotional self

presence of a safe other

What is an example of teh reaffirmation that the universe is hostile?

abuse happens in the exact same place/way

What is it easier to see bad?

-evolutionary adaptive

-schemas

repetition compulsion

go back to relationships and places

wish to overcome/master

What does Dr. Hinitz say about BPD?

under enough stress, everyone has a borderline personality

Existential Principles

1) We die

2) We are separate/alone

3) Stuff happens

4) I get to change

We die

presciousness of experience

We are seperate/alone

we seek connection

Stuff happens

it's not personal, i don't control it

I get to change

Feel, Actions, Thought

Shattered Assumptions during trauma

Invulnerability

Meaning/Order of the Universe

Positive Sense of Self

authenticity

bells

vibration and language of the conversation

what underlines anger?

fear

what is humor?

a timing thing

Good Samaritan Experiment

time determined behavior

traumatic

cut off

normal adaptations fail you

Erik Erikson

Trust vs mistrust

Freud

oral stage of development

foundation

secure sense of connection

IMP triangle

I am, The universe is, People are

What did Dr. Hinitz say dissociation is?

escape when there is no other escape

Apology Process

-Apology

-I Get How It Impacted You

-Sincerity

-It Matters to Me

-Commitment to Change

Ground floor of psychology

abandonment

Bus Exercise

can you let them hold it, don't use any of your own muscle

Carl Rogers Triangle

authenticity, empathy, non-judgement

Kohut Triangle

twinship, mirroring, grounded perspective

Economy of feelings

victim owns perpetrators feelings

Signs of Heeling

Emotional Leveling

Remember Details

Meaning

Humor

Narrative

Toaster Problem

one that is plugged in

Beck Triangle

I hurt, This will not change, I am helpless

Toaster Scale

10- joy, love empowerment

9-enthusiasm, happiness

8- optimism, hope

7- boredom, pessimism

6- frustration

5-doubt, worry, dissapointed

4- revenge, anger

3- hatred, jealousy

2- unworthy, undeserving

1- cutoff, disempowered

Door Pass

analogy for recovery process

tape=boundaries

it takes time to repair

Steps

1) i'm hurt, scared, lost

2) Awareness, scanning

3) Aperture stuck, accomodation

4) rubber band (want to snap back to step 1)

5) next level (contrast between where I am and where I want to be)

push hands

clients will test if their material is too much

Johari's Window

Social (all know)

Blindspots (you know)

Private Self (I know)

Unknown Potential (no one knows)

Psychotherapy

adaptive spiral

Example of Stage 1

alcoholics anonomyous

Rotating Triangle based on perspective

Hero, Victim, Villain

Trust fall exercise

all growth happens outside of comfort zones

ATEPIE

activating event, thoughts, emotion, perspective, internal experience

thoughts

unconscious decisions