Understanding High ACEs and the effects of developmental trauma
What are ACEs:
ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are stressful or traumatic events that happen before age 18. They include things like:
- Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
- Neglect (physical or emotional)
- Household challenges (domestic violence, parental substance use, mental illness, incarceration, divorce)
Why High ACEs Matter:
- People with high ACE scores (4 or more) are at higher risk for:
- Mental health issues (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
- Physical health problems (heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders)
- Risky behaviors (substance use, unsafe sex, intimate partner violence)
- ACEs impact the brain development, the nervous system and stress responses, making everyday stress feel more intense.
Treatment and Support Options
1. Therapy & Mental Health Support:
- Trauma-focused therapy: Examples include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT and Somatic Experiencing.
- Medication: Sometimes helpful for anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances, but should be combined with therapy.
2. Self-Regulation Skills:
- Mindfulness & meditation: Strengthens your ability to tolerate stress.
- Grounding exercises: Simple techniques to reconnect with the present moment.
- Breathing techniques: Helps reduce the fight/flight response that is often overactive in people with high ACEs.
3. Building Safe Relationships:
- Supportive relationships with friends, family, or mentors help buffer the effects of trauma.
- Healthy boundaries are important—learning to say no, yes and protect your space.
4. Lifestyle Supports:
- Regular sleep, exercise, and nutrition improve resilience.
- Limiting alcohol, drugs, and high-risk behaviors reduces stress on the body and mind.
- Look for trauma-informed providers who understand ACEs and complex trauma histories.
Trauma is different in that it is not only stored in our thoughts—it lives in the body and nervous system. While talk therapy such as CBT can be helpful for anxiety and depression, trauma often requires a body-based approach. Talking about traumatic experiences alone can sometimes increase feelings of overwhelm rather than bring relief.
EMDR Therapy helps reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories while supporting new, healthier perspectives and beliefs.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, developed by Pat Ogden, PhD, works with body awareness and emotional responses to help resolve trauma patterns held in the nervous system.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps clients understand and heal parts of themselves that feel stuck in the past, fostering self-compassion and inner balance.
In session I combine a variety of approaches to create a personalized, safe, and collaborative trauma therapy experience.
Anxiety and depression often co-occur with trauma, chronic health conditions, or relationship stress. My approach focuses on understanding the underlying causes of these symptoms, not just managing them.
Therapy may also include CBT and DBT skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance, alongside the deeper trauma-informed work. I also encourage Mindful Self-Compassion practices, developed by Dr. Kristin Neff, to help clients soften negative self-talk and build a more supportive inner world.