- Trauma and chronic stress shape how individuals experience emotions, relationships, behavior, and physical regulation.
- At THE BALANCE, trauma is not treated as a discrete event or isolated diagnosis.
- It is understood as a pervasive influence that can affect the nervous system, perception of safety, and capacity for engagement across many areas of life.
Trauma and chronic stress shape how individuals experience emotions, relationships, behavior, and physical regulation.
At THE BALANCE, trauma is not treated as a discrete event or isolated diagnosis. It is understood as a pervasive influence that can affect the nervous system, perception of safety, and capacity for engagement across many areas of life.
Care is guided by trauma-informed principles that prioritise safety, pacing, and integration.
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA IN CONTEXT
Trauma may result from acute events, chronic stress exposure, relational disruption, or cumulative experiences over time. Its impact can include:
- heightened threat response or emotional shutdown
- difficulties with trust and safety
- chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
- dissociation or emotional numbing
- patterns of avoidance or control
- physical symptoms linked to stress and regulation
Trauma often co-occurs with mental health conditions, substance use, and physiological dysregulation.
STRESS, BURNOUT & NERVOUS SYSTEM STRAIN
Prolonged stress can have effects similar to trauma. Chronic pressure, responsibility, and high-demand environments may lead to:
- exhaustion and burnout
- impaired emotional regulation
- sleep disturbance
- reduced resilience
- loss of meaning or motivation
Stress-related conditions are approached with the same seriousness and containment as trauma-related presentations.
TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO CARE
All work within this domain follows trauma-informed principles. This includes:
- prioritising psychological and physiological safety
- establishing predictable structure
- respecting consent and autonomy
- pacing interventions according to readiness
- avoiding unnecessary intensity or exposure
Trauma-informed care shapes how treatment is delivered, not only what is addressed.
INTEGRATION WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE
Trauma and stress-related conditions are addressed through coordinated, multidisciplinary care.
This may involve:
- psychological and psychiatric work
- nervous system regulation approaches
- somatic and body-based interventions
- biochemical and physiological support
- careful sequencing of interventions
Coordination prevents fragmentation and reduces the risk of overwhelm.
CO-OCCURRENCE & COMPLEXITY
Trauma-related presentations frequently overlap with:
- anxiety and mood disorders
- substance-related conditions
- eating disorders
- relational and personality patterns
These overlaps are addressed through integrated planning rather than isolated treatment tracks.
CONDITIONS WITHIN THIS DOMAIN
This treatment hub may include work with individuals experiencing:
- Post-traumatic stress responses
- Complex trauma patterns
- Developmental or relational trauma
- Burnout and chronic stress exposure
- Trauma-related emotional or physiological dysregulation
Suitability is always assessed individually.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON DIAGNOSIS & SUITABILITY
This page does not provide diagnosis or self-assessment. Not all trauma-related or stress-related presentations are appropriate for this model of care. Suitability is determined through professional assessment and honest discussion. Where a different level or type of care is indicated, this is communicated transparently.
