Big T and Little t Trauma: Why Every Story Matters to God and to Your Therapist

When people think of trauma, they often picture life-threatening events—assault, war, or car accidents. This is known as Big T trauma. But little t trauma—chronic stress, emotional neglect, bullying, or attachment wounds—can impact the brain in very similar ways, especially when left unprocessed (Van der Kolk, 2014). As Christians, we know that God sees every wound, no matter how small it may seem.

EMDR therapy is uniquely effective in treating both kinds of trauma. Research confirms that even memories that seem insignificant on the surface can lead to deeply rooted negative beliefs like, “I’m not good enough,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” These beliefs may not go away with time or prayer alone. But with EMDR, your brain is given the opportunity to reprocess and replace those beliefs with adaptive truths—truths that align with Scripture and God’s heart for you.

One of EMDR’s strengths is its ability to bypass overthinking and access the emotional and neurological roots of suffering (Shapiro, 2018). That’s why clients often say, “I didn’t realize this was connected,” as God begins to reveal what needs healing. Your therapist can help you identify these patterns and walk with you through a healing journey grounded in both clinical excellence and biblical wisdom.

Clinical Sources:

• Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

• Shapiro, F. (2018). EMDR Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures.