Do you remember the traumatic event? If you don't have clear memories of what happened, then I don't think "trauma work" is a good idea. I have done trauma work and it has helped me. I very rarely ever have flashbacks now. I can finally move on from it. You don't have to get stuck in the pain. I never found it to be all that painful because I had the skills to cope by the time we started the processing. It was more painful holding it all inside for years.