Developmental Trauma

Developmental trauma, unlike shock trauma, is not related to a single traumatic event. Developmental trauma happens over time. Years of being subjected to abuse or neglect at the hands of parents or caregivers causes several serious difficulties in children. Low self-esteem, shame, and constant self-judgment are the most common. Dealing with shock trauma victims often requires a “top-down” approach: using thought to deal with feelings. Therapy for developmental trauma victims requires working from the bottom up: dealing with feelings to affect thoughts. Doctors Laurence Heller and Aline LaPierre’s recently published book, Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship, further explores these therapy techniques.

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