TRAUMA & THE BRAIN
True or False?
Trauma only affects emotions.
Answer: False
Trauma affects the brain, body, thoughts, and behavior.
It can change how fast someone reacts.
It can impact decision-making under stress.
It can make the body feel “on edge” even when nothing is happening.
Feelings Check
Name 3 emotions someone might feel after experiencing abuse.
shame, guilt, embarrassment, deserving, angry, sadness, hate, fear, Powerlessness, Confusion, oversexual, Loneliness
True or False
Self-harm is usually about wanting attention.
False. It often regulates overwhelming feelings. Or helps an individual 'feel' something they aren't able to properly express.
It releases endorphins.
It regulates overwhelming emotions.
It creates distraction from emotional pain.
It can create a sense of control.
Healing is easier with a safe adult.
Answer: True
Co-regulation regulates the nervous system.
Safety rewires the brain.
Consistency reduces survival mode.
Name one strength.
Creativity
It regulates the nervous system.
When someone grows up in unsafe situations, their brain may:
A) Stay on high alert
B) Have trouble trusting people
C) React quickly without thinking
D) All of the above
Answer: D
High alert= hypervigilance.
Trust issues= attachment injury.
Quick reactions= survival brain dominance.
All are protective responses.
True or False
Shame is one of the strongest emotions connected to sexual trauma.
Answer: True
Shame says “I am bad.”
Guilt says “I did something bad.”/"I made them do this or that"/"It's my fault"
Shame fuels secrecy.
Secrecy fuels risk.
Risky online or sexual behavior can sometimes be about:
A) Wanting validation
B) Wanting connection
C) Trying to feel powerful
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Trauma can distort boundaries.
Attention can feel like safety.
Sexual validation can temporarily reduce shame.
Power through sexuality can counter earlier powerlessness.
When you see/feel dysregulation, what feeling might be underneath?
Fear
Shame
Overwhelm
Feeling out of control
What is the main trauma you or your child experienced that you feel like will be more of a struggle for them to heal from?
What is the difference between “survival brain” and “thinking brain”?
fight/flight/freeze/impulse control.
Survival brain = fast, emotional, protective.
Thinking brain = slow, logical, future-focused.
Under stress, survival brain wins.
Teens already have developing prefrontal cortex → more impulsivity.
When someone acts angry or defiant, the feeling underneath might be:
A) Fear
B) Hurt
C) Shame
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Anger is often a secondary emotion.
Fear wears anger.
Shame wears defiance.
Hurt wears aggression.
Explain the difference between coping that helps long-term vs short-term?
Short-term:
Numbs
Escapes
Creates later consequences
Long-term:
Regulates
Builds skills
Reduces shame
Improves safety
What helps you feel safest at home?
Predictability
Non-yelling tone
Privacy
Clear boundaries
Listening
3 healthy coping skills.
Avoidance does not equal regulation
True or False
When survival brain is activated, long-term consequences feel less important than immediate relief.
Answer: True
The brain prioritizes immediate relief over consequences.
This explains impulsive choices.
Immediate validation can overpower future consequences.
If risky behavior could talk, what emotion do you think it is trying to escape from?
Explain....
Risky behavior often tries to escape:
Shame
Emotional pain
Loneliness
Feeling unwanted
Powerlessness
Numbness
Anxiety
Risky behavior temporarily numbs or replaces painful emotions.
It can create dopamine → short relief.
The relief is real but temporary.
Afterward, shame may increase.
Understanding why a behavior happens means we are excusing it.
Accountability and compassion can coexist.
Knowing why helps prevent repetition.
Ignoring the why keeps the cycle going.
What do families misunderstand about trauma behavior?
It looks intentional.
It looks manipulative.
It looks disrespectful.
It often isn’t.
One thing you survived that shows strength?
Resilience is key
What is one behavior that might make more sense when we look at it as a survival response instead of “bad behavior”?
Reflect and describe
Risky online behavior may be about validation.
Self-harm may regulate overwhelming emotions.
Aggression may discharge stress.
Withdrawal may be emotional protection.
Where in the body do overwhelming emotions show up?
Chest? Stomach? Head? Hands?
Chest tightness = anxiety
Stomach pain = fear
Headaches = stress
Numbness = dissociation
Connect body to behavior.
One healthier way to regulate intense emotions?
Drawing
Cold water grounding
5-4-3-2-1
Movement
Journaling
Calling safe adult
Crochet/jewelry making (fine motor calming)
What are 3 ways to support healing?
Clear boundaries
Consistent consequences
Calm communication
Therapy attendance
Structured activities
What would healing look like in 1 year?
Fewer impulsive choices
Improved boundaries
Emotional regulation
Safe relationships
Graduation plan
Structured activities