Wilfried Nelles on "Trauma"

Trauma itself is not the issue; how trauma occurs is not so important. What truly matters is how we face it and how we deal with it.

Consider a case where an individual experiences fear in everyday life. In a systemic constellation session, we might represent this with a small baby stuck in the birth canal during a difficult delivery. This represents a traumatic situation.

During trauma, people often shut down their thoughts and feelings. For example, individuals experiencing physical pain may block out external thoughts and emotions, making them unable to feel the pain. Many studies confirm that this phenomenon acts as a protective mechanism, enabling individuals to endure hardships. Without such mechanisms, survival would be difficult. This kind of shutdown is a protective response that helps the body continue functioning and surviving.

However, the problem is, by shutting down all sensory input, the body cannot recognize that the traumatic situation has ended. As a result, our system may continue to operate as if we are still in that traumatic state, leading to a shutdown of our entire emotional response in some situations.

When you identify such a trauma, it's crucial to intervene in a way that not only makes your mind aware but also helps your entire body system recognize that the trauma is over. Remember, you are no longer the baby stuck in the birth canal. Of course, the mind knows this, but that understanding often doesn’t fully sink in. To all counselors, if trauma surfaces in your work, you must first face it yourself. Then, help your clients understand that the traumatic situation has ended, making sure both their mind and body fully recognize that the trauma is over.