That is an interesting thought! I did not experience my trauma work that way, but have been glad we got through it relatively quickly. My T is very big on wanting to give clients relief quickly from the pain of trauma. (He's a healer at heart and doesn't like to see people suffer.) I think because of all the stuff happening in my life at the time (divorce, etc.), we had to bulldoze through the trauma kind of fast, at least compared to the pace of some approaches. (As T said to me once, "hold on!") But it worked out OK. I like where I am at now with the small stuff, which is having big pay-offs for me.

I'm curious if some here identify with your statement, Melba, that "the trauma stuff is sometimes a defense against dealing with the 'small' stuff"? If so, I want to pass on the message that it is not bad here at all--don't be frightened. Defenses are usually borne of fear.