06/10/2026
When people hear the word trauma, they usually think of war, abuse, or natural disasters. These are real experiences, and they are serious.
But there is another type that people rarely discuss: “little t trauma”.
Things like childhood emotional neglect, ongoing stress at work, a tough medical experience, or a loss that others expect you to move on from quickly often go unnoticed. These situations rarely make headlines and sometimes do not even feel like they "count."
The brain does not separate these experiences. It reacts to any perceived threat, and when something feels unsafe, uncontrollable, or overwhelming, the nervous system remembers it. That reaction can last long after the event has ended.
If your reactions sometimes feel stronger than the situation seems to call for it’s often your nervous system reacting to these past events.
Many people live with “little t trauma” for years without realizing it. They might call it anxiety, stress, or simply think, "this is just how I am."
ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) can help with both the major events and the quieter, less obvious ones.
You can find an ART-trained therapist near you at www.ARTworksnow.com.