Samantha Oliver

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is not just about the events that happened to you — it’s about how your mind and body had to adapt to survive them.

When we go through experiences that are overwhelming, unsafe, or chronic (such as childhood neglect, abuse, loss, or relational trauma), our nervous system can shift into survival mode. This is sometimes called the “fight, flight, freeze or fawn” response. These states are protective in the moment — but when they remain switched on long-term, they can leave us feeling:

Anxious, low, or hyper-alert

Numb, disconnected, or shut down

Stuck in repeating relational patterns

Haunted by flashbacks, intrusive memories, or shame

These reactions are not weaknesses — they are survival responses that were once necessary, but now may no longer serve you.

How Trauma Shows Up in the Nervous System

Polyvagal theory helps us understand how trauma lives in the body. You might notice:

Hyperarousal (fight/flight) → racing thoughts, panic, irritability, compulsive behaviours

Hypoarousal (freeze/shutdown) → brain fog, dissociation, exhaustion, loss of motivation

Fawn response → people-pleasing, difficulty saying no, over-focusing on others’ needs

Part of trauma therapy is learning how to notice these states, gently regulate them, and widen your window of tolerance so life feels more manageable.

My Approach

In our work together, we might explore:

Safety and Stabilisation → building tools to regulate emotions and calm the nervous system before moving into deeper processing.

Parts Work → understanding the different parts of you (the protector, the critic, the child, the numb part) and learning how they can work together instead of against each other.

Relational Healing → therapy itself is a relationship. Many clients find this is the first place they feel genuinely accepted and understood, which is essential in healing relational trauma.

Integration → the goal is not to erase the past, but to bring all parts of you into dialogue, so you can feel more whole and live with greater freedom

What to Expect

We begin with an assessment phase up to 6 sessions to get to know one another and decide whether this feels like the right fit.

Therapy moves at your pace. You choose what feels safe to share.

We use a blend of conversation, psychoeducation, and practical tools — always tailored to you.

From Coping to Living

Healing from trauma is not about “getting over it.” It’s about creating safety in the present, integrating the past, and building resilience for the future. With support, it is possible to move from surviving to truly living.