Do you ever find it hard to really trust the people around you? Maybe it feels risky to open up, or you worry that being vulnerable will lead to rejection or misunderstanding. If that sounds familiar, you might be experiencing the effects of relational trauma. Keep reading to learn more about relational trauma.
Relational trauma happens when someone experiences repeated emotional wounds in important relationships — usually with people who were supposed to care for or protect them. While it’s hard to know exactly how many people experience it, research suggests that around 60% of adults have been hurt in significant ways by someone close to them.
Below, we’ll unpack where relational trauma comes from, how it might be showing up in your daily life, and what healing can look like with individual counseling.
Relational trauma can come from almost any painful or confusing relationship experience. It’s often rooted in patterns of emotional neglect, manipulation, or betrayal — especially from parents, partners, family members, or close friends.
Some common causes include:
Whether you relate to one of these experiences or a mix of them, your pain is valid. You don’t need a label or a “perfect” story for your trauma to matter.
Relational trauma doesn’t always look obvious — sometimes it shows up quietly in how we think, feel, and connect.
Here are a few common ways it can appear:
If any of this sounds familiar, please know that you’re not alone. Healing is absolutely possible — and it’s something we help people with every day here at Fort Wellness Counseling.
One of the most effective ways to recover from relational trauma is through individual therapy. In a safe, supportive space, you’ll begin to:
At Fort Wellness Counseling, our therapists specialize in helping people heal from trauma and reconnect with themselves and others. With regular sessions, you can learn to trust again, feel more grounded, and move forward with confidence and clarity. Reach out today by contacting us to get connected with a therapist that can help you on your healing journey.
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