The Trauma Vortex

For survivors of childhood trauma,

positive experiences,

successes,

and kind feedback

from others

might just roll off us like Teflon,

while more negative experiences like failure,

setbacks,

and critical feedback from others

might stick to us like super glue.

In Somatic Experiencing,

this magnetic pull toward trauma,

fear, and pain

is called the “trauma vortex.”

The trauma vortex

has a lot of power

and momentum

and easily pulls us in.

The “counter vortex” is something

we must work to build,

and is comprised of positive experiences,

and supportive and helpful resources.

Since the counter vortex is not something

we have had for long,

its field is weaker than the trauma vortex,

so the trauma vortex

pulls us in with a force

that the counter vortex

may have trouble countering…

for a while, at least.

This can be frustrating,

but building up our counter vortex

and healing over time

can create more capacity in our system,

helping us to take in the good things

in our lives, and allowing them to stick.