The Language of Trauma: Naming What Hurts
A Series Introduction
When people hear the word “trauma,” many think of car accidents, war, or sudden tragedies. And yes, those are all traumatic experiences. But trauma often results from much more than a single event. It can come from how we were treated as children, how society treats certain groups with which we identify, or even from wounds passed down through our families. Trauma can be loud and obvious, or it can be quiet and hidden.
I have seen many clients reluctant to call what they have experienced “traumatic.” So frequently I hear, “it’s nothing compared to the blatant abuse or neglect I know other’s have endured.” This blog series is meant to debunk the myth that there is a scale for trauma. Trauma expert, Pia Mellody says, “The severity of trauma isn’t measured by the event, but by how deeply it affects a person’s ability to love, trust, and feel safe.” She explains that when we compare our experiences to others—thinking "I shouldn’t feel this bad; others had it worse"—we invalidate our own pain. This internalized invalidation mimics the original wounding, often rooted in environments where feelings were dismissed or unsafe to express. Instead, Mellody encourages people to honor their own story, regardless of how it “ranks” in severity. She views trauma as anything that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and leads to emotional, psychological, or relational dysfunction.
Each post in this eight-part series explores a different type of trauma, explaining how it shows up, what it feels like, and how we can begin to heal. The blog series is called “The Language of Trauma: Naming What Hurts” because we believe that naming and understanding our pain is one of the first steps toward healing.
Why Naming Trauma Matters
Many people struggle for years with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, or chronic stress without knowing why. Our western medical model often treats the symptoms without addressing the causes. When we don't understand our wounds, we often blame ourselves—or try to ignore the pain altogether. But when we name our trauma, we begin to make sense of it. Naming creates space for compassion, understanding, and eventually, healing.
This series will explore eight types of trauma—some that come from our families, others from society, and still others from personal events. You might find your own experiences reflected in one, or many, of these categories. There is no right or wrong way to relate to trauma. Everyone's story is different—and every story matters.
Language of Trauma Series - 8 Parts
Early Relational Trauma, Part 1
This kind of trauma happens in the earliest years of life, often before we even have words. It shows up when caregivers (like parents) are emotionally unavailable, inconsistent, or unsafe. Even if they didn’t mean to hurt us, a lack of emotional connection can shape how we see ourselves and the world. These early experiences affect our nervous systems, trust, and sense of worth.
Attachment Trauma, Part 2
When a child grows up with caregivers who are frightening, rejecting, or unpredictable, they can develop attachment trauma. This means we might have trouble feeling close to others, trusting people, or feeling secure in relationships. This post will look at how early emotional wounds affect our adult connections.
Identity Trauma, Part 3
Sometimes, trauma comes from being told that who we are is not okay. If someone is shamed or rejected because of their race, gender, sexuality, religion, or personality, it can leave deep emotional scars. Identity trauma often creates feelings of unworthiness. It can lead to hiding or changing parts of ourselves to feel safe. When we do that, we disconnect from our selves and our bodies.
Cultural Trauma, Part 4
Cultural trauma affects whole groups of people. It happens when communities experience colonization, racism, forced migration, or violence. These events can impact not just individuals, but future generations. Healing from cultural trauma often includes reclaiming pride, connection, and cultural identity.
Social and Collective Trauma, Part 5
This type of trauma affects large numbers of people at once. Examples include war, natural disasters, pandemics, and acts of terrorism. When these events happen, they can change how safe we feel in the world, even if we weren’t directly involved.
Intergenerational Trauma, Part 6
Trauma can be passed down through families. This isn’t just about genetics—it’s also about behavior, beliefs, and emotional patterns. If parents never heal from their own trauma, they may unintentionally pass their pain and unhealthy coping strategies onto their children. This kind of trauma can live in families for generations unless someone recognizes the pattern and begins to heal it.
Complex Trauma, Part 7
Complex trauma happens when someone experiences ongoing, repeated trauma—often in close relationships. It could include emotional neglect, physical abuse, or being constantly shamed. Because it builds up over time, complex trauma can lead to deep emotional pain, confusion, and long-term struggles with identity and trust.
Single-Incident Trauma, Part 8
This is the kind of trauma most people are familiar with—things like car accidents, natural disasters, or assaults. These events are often sudden and shocking. Even though they happen once, they can leave long-lasting effects on our minds and bodies.
Trauma is Personal—and So is Healing
It’s important to remember that trauma isn’t always about what happened—it’s about how it made you feel. Two people can go through the same situation and be affected in very different ways. There is no shame in being impacted by trauma. What matters is how we respond and care for ourselves afterward.
Healing looks different for everyone. For some, it involves holistic therapy and/or body-based practices. Regardless of therapeutic approach, it often includes cultural healing, self-reflection, or building new relationships. What’s most important is finding what helps you feel safe, whole, and connected.
What to Expect in This Series
Each post in this series will:
Define a specific type of trauma
Share examples and signs
Offer reflection questions and helpful healing modalities
Point to additional resources
Whether you’re new to the idea of trauma or have been on a healing journey for years, we hope this series gives you language, insight, and hope. You are not alone. Your story matters. And healing is possible.
Find Inner Peace with Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA
Does it sometimes feel like you have no control over your life? Reclaim your freedom from the impact of trauma. At Rezak Therapy in Pasadena, California, we’re here to support your healing. Together, we’ll help you move from feeling stuck in old patterns to feeling empowered and in charge of your life. It’s time to step into clarity, connection, and the freedom you deserve.
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore if trauma therapy is a good fit for you.
Start meeting with an experienced trauma therapist who will guide and support your healing journey.
Rediscover your joy and aliveness.
Other Services Offered at Rezak Therapy in Pasadena, CA
At Rezak Therapy, we're here to help you align with your most authentic self. So in addition to trauma therapy, we also offer services for couples seeking more intimacy in their relationships, therapy groups to support personal growth, and The Artists Way Workshop which is a 12-week group adventure of artistic discovery and personal exploration. For more on trauma therapy and our other services check out our blog.
