@losangeles_therapist: OMISSION TRAUMA?! A type of trauma that can be the most difficult! Why? Because it’s hard to know it has effected you & it’s hard to name it! Trauma is socially known as extreme situations that have happened to people. Many people know about COMMISSION trauma which is where someone has mistreated you in life. Whether it be emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse etc. You are able to put a NAME to an experience and heal. YOU are aware that someone hurt you in some painful maltreatment way but many who have experienced OMISSION trauma are left not knowing that they experienced a trauma. This type of trauma is not about someone maltreating you but instead someone not providing what is necessary to thrive developmentally. Omission trauma is when you grew up not having the basic emotional needs required for healthy development. Perhaps your parents were not attuned to you. They did not enter your world experience or your emotional experience as a child as they were dealing with their own marital discord, mental health, or physically absent busy working to make ends meet. Sure your physical needs were met but the emotional needs were never seen or deep connection went unmet. You grew up taken care of but you parents didn’t know the REAL YOU! You didn’t have anyone engage in your interest in a genuine way or you had an anxious parent that didn’t facilitate your explorative nature or you never had a parent that allowed to you be distressed cause it made them uncomfortable so they never let you learn distress tolerance. Your parents own limitations didn’t allow for you to have “a secure base” and “safe haven”. These are a few example of omission process of trauma. Caregiver omitted in some way that stunts development. What is a secure base and a safe Haven? A secure base is a child’s ability to move away from parents with confidence and explore the world and that they can come back when they need to seek connection. Your parent isn’t anxious about your exploring and isn’t inducing fear/guilt or limiting you in some way. A safe haven is where a parent is connected to your emotional needs and is responsive. Can you resonate? Comment Follow @ms_therapy_jenny
