Trauma is not just about what happened to someone—it is about how the experience affected them.
Trauma happens when a person goes through something overwhelming, frightening, or deeply upsetting that their brain and body were not ready to handle. These experiences can make someone feel unsafe, powerless, or alone and may cause lasting emotional or physical effects.
Everyone experiences trauma differently. Two people may go through the same event, but one may recover quickly while the other continues to struggle.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to respond to trauma. All trauma responses are human reactions to pain, fear, or stress.
This course will help you:
- Understand different types of trauma
- Recognize common emotional, physical, and behavior changes
- Learn how trauma affects the brain and body
- Explore ways to support healing and resilience
As we move through this material, remember:
- Trauma is not a personal failure
- Healing is possible
- Learning about trauma is an important step toward understanding yourself and others with compassion
Safety Reminder
Some topics may bring up strong emotions or memories. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, it is okay to pause, breathe, and take a break. Your emotional safety matters.
