How does trauma affect mental health and the ability to feel happiness?

Trauma can significantly impact brain function, particularly areas responsible for emotional regulation and stress response. It often leads to symptoms like anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and difficulty experiencing positive emotions. The nervous system may remain in a heightened state of alert, making it challenging to feel safe and experience joy naturally.

What therapeutic approaches are most effective for trauma recovery?

Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapies have shown strong effectiveness. These approaches help process traumatic memories, develop healthy coping strategies, and rebuild emotional regulation skills. The key is working with a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma treatment.

Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person therapy for trauma treatment?

Research shows telehealth therapy can be equally effective for trauma treatment when conducted by qualified therapists. Many clients find the comfort of their own space helps them feel safer to discuss difficult experiences. The convenience and accessibility of telehealth also removes barriers like transportation or scheduling conflicts that might prevent consistent treatment.

When should someone seek professional help for trauma-related symptoms?

Professional help should be considered when trauma symptoms interfere with daily functioning, relationships, work, or sleep for more than a few weeks. Signs include persistent intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, emotional numbing, or difficulty managing stress. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and prevents symptoms from becoming more entrenched.

What can someone expect during their first trauma therapy session?

The first session typically focuses on building rapport, establishing safety, and gathering background information. Your therapist will explain their approach, discuss treatment goals, and address any concerns about the therapeutic process. You won't be pressured to share traumatic details immediately - healing happens at your own pace with professional guidance.

Overcoming Trauma: A Journey to Happiness with Telehealth

November 4, 2025

Trauma profoundly affects mental health and happiness by altering stress responses and emotional regulation, but evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy delivered through telehealth offer effective healing pathways when guided by licensed mental health professionals.

Ever wonder if true happiness is possible after trauma? Overcoming trauma may feel impossible when you're in survival mode, but Sarah's inspiring journey from an abusive relationship to rediscovering joy proves that healing—and happiness—can happen with the right therapeutic support.

A person in a light shirt sits at a table, engaged in a video call on a laptop with a dark notebook beside them.

Finding Joy After Trauma: Sarah’s Journey to Healing with ReachLink

Traumatic experiences can profoundly impact a person’s mental health and overall sense of happiness. However, with the right support, it’s possible to overcome past traumas and rediscover joy in life. In this article, we’ll explore trauma and its effects on wellbeing, then share how one woman used telehealth therapy to navigate her traumatic experiences and learned to live happily again.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma refers to an emotional response to a distressing event, such as an accident, violence, or natural disaster. These experiences often leave people feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and helpless. While some individuals may process and recover from traumatic experiences over time, others may develop more severe reactions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a condition characterized by persistent and intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness. It’s important to understand that not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, but many may still experience significant symptoms that affect their quality of life.

How Trauma Affects Physical and Mental Health

The effects of trauma can be long-lasting and may impact various aspects of a person’s life, including mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Many people living with trauma require professional support to heal properly.

Common Symptoms of Trauma

Everyone reacts differently to traumatic experiences, but some common reactions include:

Cognitive changes: Nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and memory changes
Behavior changes: Withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities and avoiding places or people that trigger memories of the traumatic experience
Psychological effects: Anxiety, panic attacks, anger, fear, irritability, shock, obsessions and compulsions, detachment, shame, depression, and emotional numbing
Physical problems: Sleep disturbances, being easily startled, rapid heart rate, unexplained pains, changes in appetite, muscle tension, hypervigilance, and fatigue

Trauma’s Impact on Happiness

Trauma can significantly affect a person’s ability to experience happiness. When someone endures a traumatic event, it can alter their brain’s response to stress and make it more difficult to feel joy or achieve relaxation. Many trauma survivors experience emotional numbness and detachment, which makes it challenging to find pleasure in activities they once enjoyed.

The state of hypervigilance that often accompanies trauma can overshadow positive experiences and make it difficult to feel present and happy. Trauma can also lead to persistent negative feelings like shame and guilt, creating cycles of avoidance that further inhibit healing and joy.

Treatment Options for Trauma

Various treatment options are available for people living with trauma and PTSD, including medication, self-care practices, and talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most highly recommended approaches.

Several types of CBT have proven effective for trauma, including traditional CBT, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy. Other treatment options include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and narrative exposure therapy (NET).

Telehealth therapy has emerged as an accessible and effective option for many people seeking to overcome trauma and find happiness again. ReachLink’s platform connects clients with licensed clinical social workers who specialize in trauma recovery.

Sarah’s Experience with ReachLink

Here’s a firsthand account from Sarah, who turned to ReachLink to work through her traumatic experiences and mental health concerns.

After two disappointing experiences with in-person counseling, I had nearly given up hope of finding the help I needed. I was hesitant about trying therapy again, but I discovered ReachLink and decided to give telehealth counseling a chance. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because it led me to my therapist, Lisa, who has helped me transform my life.

What brought you to ReachLink?

When I signed up for ReachLink seven months ago, I was struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, and suspected I might have bipolar disorder. I was trapped in an unhealthy relationship and felt completely overwhelmed by stress, parenting challenges, and unresolved traumas from my past.

What have you realized since starting telehealth therapy?

Lisa helped me recognize that I was in an abusive relationship and provided crucial support in helping me leave that situation. I understood that ending the relationship wouldn’t immediately solve all my problems, but Lisa remained by my side through the aftermath of the breakup and other challenges that followed. She supported me through a violent encounter with my ex-partner, recovery from a heart attack, and a traumatic incident involving one of my grandchildren.

Have you learned any techniques that have helped you find happiness and relief on your mental health journey?

Given everything I’ve endured, I never imagined I could reach the place I’m at today. I’m incredibly grateful that ReachLink matched me with a therapist who perfectly understood my needs. Lisa has taught me effective breathing techniques to manage stress, communication strategies for better relationships with my children, assertiveness skills for setting boundaries, and specific tools for coping with trauma and PTSD. These combined skills have empowered me to stand on my own and advocate for myself.

Have you been able to overcome your trauma and find happiness again?

I’m proud to say that with ReachLink and Lisa’s support, I successfully left an 11-year abusive relationship. Lisa helped me overcome my fears and find the strength to return to work just one month after experiencing a brutal attack. Today, I can identify as a survivor rather than a victim. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this transformation.

Any final thoughts on your experience with ReachLink?

My experience with ReachLink has been truly transformative. Lisa believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself and helped me discover the courage, strength, and resilience within me. I look forward to continuing my therapy journey with ReachLink as Lisa helps me process and overcome these traumatic events. I encourage anyone who has lost faith in themselves or in therapy to try ReachLink—it completely changed my life for the better.

Consider Telehealth Therapy with ReachLink

If you’re hesitant about visiting a therapist’s office to discuss trauma, consider telehealth counseling. Online therapy provides a safe, comfortable environment for exploring traumatic events and the resulting emotions. Research shows that telehealth counseling is as effective as in-person therapy for improving PTSD symptoms. ReachLink can connect you with a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in helping clients develop coping skills to manage trauma symptoms.

With ReachLink, you can communicate with your therapist through secure video sessions from wherever you feel safe and comfortable. The platform is designed to be user-friendly while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.

Takeaway

If you’re experiencing anxiety or concerns related to traumatic experiences or other mental health challenges, remember that you don’t have to face them alone. ReachLink’s licensed clinical social workers have extensive experience helping people overcome trauma and other mental health concerns. Our matching process ensures you’ll be connected with a therapist who has the specific training and expertise to address your unique challenges.

FAQ

How does trauma affect mental health and the ability to feel happiness?

Trauma can significantly impact brain function, particularly areas responsible for emotional regulation and stress response. It often leads to symptoms like anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and difficulty experiencing positive emotions. The nervous system may remain in a heightened state of alert, making it challenging to feel safe and experience joy naturally.
What therapeutic approaches are most effective for trauma recovery?

Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapies have shown strong effectiveness. These approaches help process traumatic memories, develop healthy coping strategies, and rebuild emotional regulation skills. The key is working with a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma treatment.
Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person therapy for trauma treatment?

Research shows telehealth therapy can be equally effective for trauma treatment when conducted by qualified therapists. Many clients find the comfort of their own space helps them feel safer to discuss difficult experiences. The convenience and accessibility of telehealth also removes barriers like transportation or scheduling conflicts that might prevent consistent treatment.
When should someone seek professional help for trauma-related symptoms?

Professional help should be considered when trauma symptoms interfere with daily functioning, relationships, work, or sleep for more than a few weeks. Signs include persistent intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, emotional numbing, or difficulty managing stress. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and prevents symptoms from becoming more entrenched.
What can someone expect during their first trauma therapy session?

The first session typically focuses on building rapport, establishing safety, and gathering background information. Your therapist will explain their approach, discuss treatment goals, and address any concerns about the therapeutic process. You won't be pressured to share traumatic details immediately - healing happens at your own pace with professional guidance.