I notice that a lot of people in intakes will deny that they have any history of trauma, but as we talk, they start talking about something that was traumatic to them. Trauma is whatever you felt traumatized by, not anybody else's definition. A lot of people have had their trauma invalidated by others who tell them that it doesn't really count, and they then begin to invalidate it themselves and to deny it. One reason for this is that it is painful to take the chance of it being rejected again.

We are beginning to recognize that trauma is behind a lot more than we ever thought it was before. A lot of people don't know how to talk about their trauma, but it is healing to be able to recognize it and have it validated. It could be very important in your treatment, and T will understand that you weren't able to talk about it before.