Psychological defense is constructed to protect us. In the beginning, during its original Constuction, it does. Through time it grows, doing its job, until it becomes a barrier to seeing what needs to be seen.

In the process of recovering from trauma it is helpful to understand the defense, its original purpose, and how it has protected you throughout your life. While there are categories of defense there are as many nuances in each, as there are individuals and situations.

Due to the large body of research in the areas of attachment, trauma, and neuropsychology, we understand that when a trauma, or traumas, occur the memory is stored in the brain and body. Through time, in response to the way in which the information has been stored, individuals will begin to respond to this information through, feelings and behaviors. This through repeated exposure, becomes belief (defense).

We further understand that information is stored with the understanding, or lack of, at the developmental stage at which the trauma occurred. If one is left without the support to safely process the incident(s) the understanding (resulting belief) can remain unprocessed (stuck in time) until one feels safe enough to process and deconstruct this belief. In a sense, removing the blinders that were once so essential for survival.

As those of you who read this blog are aware; the blog is primary dedicated to understanding and building hope around trauma recovery. Trauma isn’t a comfortable topic, but a necessary one. To explore it one has to acknowledge the many, painful to hear, atrocities that people can perpetrate against others. For instance, research supports 1 of every 3 children in the United States will experience a traumatic event in childhood. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_children_teens.asp We know this is likely higher due to the many incidents that go unreported. Further we know that of these reported incidents 80-90% are perpetrated by individuals the child knows.

Examples of the building of defense, due to unprocessed trauma, could be related to a childhood experience of sexual, physical, emotional, or social traumatization not excluding natural disasters or accidents.

To provide direct example; a child could experience sexual trauma by a family member. In a circumstance where there are no protective or aware adults this child’s storage (emotions, thoughts, and resulting beliefs) will require defensive belief for safety. I.e. beliefs such as, “I am unsafe, unworthy, unimportant, bad” or others might become predominate for this child. Reinforcement of this through time becomes the protective mechanism of defense. Again, there are many possibilities. One possibility; in the event the belief is “I am unsafe” the child may begin to become careful focusing on safety in the form of pleasing others in an attempt to stay safe. Another, child may try to control and predict through disruptive behavior. I.e., “I am unsafe so I must do everything I can to keep myself safe. There is no one who will help me”.

The longer the belief becomes unprocessed, or remains stuck or intact, the more reinforced it will be. The work of therapy is to provide enough safety to allow removing of the defensive blinders. The safety goggles that have been so necessary in keeping the original trauma hidden from view. It is important to note that “hidden from view” doesn’t necessarily mean the individual is unaware of the occurrence (though this can be true) it means not looked at.

Once we begin to look, we can then gently challenge these beliefs through processing the trauma with adult eyes and an adult’s developmental understanding. The belief that may have resulted in pleasing others can now be seen as a way the child-self had to stay safe. Eventually new emotions, behaviors, and beliefs will emerge. Once the individual begins to believe they can trust themselves to know something isn’t safe, they may choose to move from pleasing the other to protecting themselves. Again, there are many ways the processing of trauma and building new prospectives may manifest.

There are many therapeutic modalities that may assist an individual in this work. These may include, but are not limited to, Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy~TFCBT, Somatic Therapies, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing~EMDR, and (as previously noted on the blog in Oregon and Colorado) utilizing psilocybin facilitation in accessing both traumatic event and the protective qualities and beliefs of the human spirit.

In choosing treatment, it is important to also choose an informed therapist who you feel safe with. This may take time, and it is important to ask questions and to look until you find the right therapist. For your true self to emerge, the one who needs no blinders, you will need safety in your therapeutic work and relationships.

As always, Thank you for reading. I welcome your thoughts and comments and look forward to connecting with you through your writing and mine.

My deepest care and respect to each of you

Resources follow:

Copyright Protected Material: © 2020 LaDonna Remy MSW, LICSW. All rights reserved. Written content on this blog (Perspective on Trauma) is the property of the author LaDonna Remy, MSW, LICSW. Any unauthorized use or duplication without written permission of the author/ owner of this web log is prohibited. Excerpts or quotes may be shared in the event the author is fully cited with reference and direction to this blog.

Professional Disclaimer: It is important to recognize that all information contained in the Perspective on Trauma Blog is informational. It is not intended to provide advice, assessment, treatment, or diagnosis. Content is not intended as a substitute for clinical care. It is not possible to provide informed care through web content, or to engage in an informed treatment relationship within this format. If you or a loved one need support; it is important that you access this care from your own (specifically assigned) health care provider.

Agreement of Use: In consideration for your use of and access to the Perspective on Trauma Blog, you agree that LaDonna Remy MSW, LICSW is not liable to you for any action or non-action you may take in reliance upon information from the Perspective on Trauma blog. As noted, it is not possible to provide informed (personalized care) through blog content. In the event, support is needed it is your responsibility to seek care from your own health-care provider.

National Hotlines: 
Treatment Referral Helpline: (1-877-726-4727)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)

Treatment Referral Helpline: (1-877-726-4727)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)

Counseling Resources:

Better Help: https://www.betterhelp.com/

Talk Space: https://www.talkspace.com/

Photo: Image found on Pixabay

Resources:

Psychology Today. Somatic Therapy. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/somatic-therapy Psychology Today, Staff Review. June 2, 2022

Psychology Today. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavior-therapy Psychology Today, Staff Review. June 21, 2022.

The EMDR International Association. https://www.emdria.org/

The Oregon Health Authority. Psylocibin Services Overview. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/Pages/Oregon-Psilocybin-Services.aspx

The United States Department of Veteran Affairs. PTSD in Children and Adolescents. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_children_teens.asp Jessica Hamblen, PhD and Erin Barnett PhD. February 2025.