At the Centre, we use a number of different perspectives and approaches to treat trauma. One that we often employ in our group psychotherapy programs is the workbook: Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma by Dr. Janina Fisher. Her perspective offers a less traditional approach that we find useful when working with clients who have not found typical “talk therapy” to offer sustained relief from their symptoms.

Trauma is a concept that extends far beyond the common association with major, life-threatening events like accidents, violence, or natural disasters. For Fisher, trauma is defined not by the event itself but by the way the individual experiences and processes it. According to Fisher, trauma is not merely something that happens to a person—it is something that profoundly changes their internal world, often leading to lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effects.

Trauma as an Internal Experience

Dr. Fisher emphasizes that trauma is more about the internal impact than the event itself. While the world commonly frames trauma as something caused by external events, Fisher underscores that it’s the way trauma is processed that matters. Two people can experience the same traumatic event, but their responses to it can vary widely. What matters is how the event is perceived, internalized, and stored in the brain and body.

When a person is exposed to overwhelming or life-threatening situations—whether through abuse, neglect, or violence—the brain struggles to process the experience. In these moments, especially when a person feels powerless or helpless, the traumatic experience may not be fully integrated into their understanding of the world. The result is that unprocessed memories, emotions, and sensations become trapped within the body, often causing dissociation, hypervigilance, or avoidance behaviors.

For Fisher, trauma does not simply “go away” with time; instead, it gets stuck in the body. Her work centers on the idea that trauma manifests physically—through tense muscles, rapid heart rates, shallow breathing, and other signs of chronic stress. When trauma is not processed, it can lead to somatic responses that keep the person stuck in a cycle of reactivity, where past experiences feel as though they are happening in the present.

The Somatic Approach to Healing

One of Dr. Fisher’s most notable contributions to trauma therapy is her somatic approach—the understanding that trauma is held in the body and can be healed through reconnecting with bodily sensations. In her work, Fisher emphasizes the importance of integrating both mind and body in the healing process. This approach aligns with her belief that trauma is stored not just in the mind but also in physical responses, which often manifest as muscle tension, chronic pain, or heightened states of arousal (such as anxiety and hypervigilance).

Through techniques like somatic experiencing, mindfulness, and body awareness, Fisher’s work encourages trauma survivors to reconnect with their bodies in a safe and controlled way. This process involves slowly and mindfully tuning into sensations, exploring physical memories, and processing trauma without overwhelming the system. By doing so, individuals can learn to process and release the emotional energy stored in their bodies, which is a key step in regaining a sense of safety and control.

For instance, if a person’s trauma is stored in their muscles as tension or stiffness, gradually releasing that tension through focused bodywork can help restore a sense of ease and balance. By gently reconnecting with their bodies and emotions, trauma survivors can begin to integrate their fragmented selves, which Fisher views as a critical component of healing.

Fragmentation and Integration

Fisher believes that trauma often causes a fragmentation of the self. This fragmentation occurs when a person’s sense of identity is shattered or disrupted by overwhelming experiences. In cases of abuse, for example, a person may feel disconnected from themselves as they try to survive in an environment where they were not allowed to be authentic, or where their needs were ignored or invalidated. These fragmented parts of the self often dissociate from the experience, leading to feelings of being “disconnected” or “numb.”

Healing, in Fisher’s view, involves the process of integration—bringing together these fragmented parts of the self so that they function as a whole. This may involve revisiting traumatic memories, allowing emotions to be fully felt, and gradually integrating the experience into the person’s sense of self and world view. Through this process, the individual regains their sense of safety, coherence, and autonomy.

Fisher explains that the goal of trauma therapy is not to erase the memory of trauma, but to help individuals reclaim ownership of their experience and restore their internal sense of safety. This integration is vital in breaking free from the physical and emotional reactivity caused by unresolved trauma. Trauma survivors need to feel they can tolerate the distressing emotions and memories that may arise and still stay grounded in the present moment.

The Role of the Therapist

Dr. Fisher also emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship in trauma healing. A therapist’s role is not just to provide a space for the survivor to process their experiences, but also to serve as a safe anchor for the individual. For someone who has experienced betrayal, neglect, or violence, the therapeutic relationship itself can be an essential part of the healing process, as it allows them to re-experience safety, trust, and connection in a secure environment.

Fisher’s approach encourages therapists to be both attuned and empathetic to their clients’ needs, recognizing that trauma survivors may need time, patience, and space to explore the deep pain stored within their bodies. She emphasizes the need for therapists to use a trauma-informed approach, one that understands the profound effects trauma can have on both mind and body. This awareness helps create a safe container for clients to do the deep work of healing without re-traumatizing themselves.

Healing Beyond Words: The Power of Somatic and Sensorimotor Work

Dr. Fisher also highlights the role of sensorimotor processing, which involves paying attention to bodily sensations and movements. For many trauma survivors, talking alone is not enough to resolve the impact of trauma. Much of the trauma is non-verbal, stored in the nervous system, and expressed through physical sensations or unconscious reactions.

Through somatic and sensorimotor techniques, trauma survivors can begin to identify, process, and release these non-verbal experiences. This work can help reduce feelings of emotional numbness, disassociation, or being “stuck.” By bringing awareness to the physical sensations associated with trauma, individuals can create new, healthier patterns of response to stressors and triggers, ultimately leading to lasting emotional and physical healing.

In Conclusion: The Path to Healing

Janina Fisher’s approach to trauma offers a profound and integrated understanding of the healing process. She shifts the narrative from trauma as something simply to be “talked through” to a holistic process that involves the mind, body, and spirit. Her focus on somatic techniques, body awareness, and integration emphasizes that healing is not linear, nor is it just about understanding the past. It’s about reconnecting to the body, healing fragmented parts of the self, and creating a new relationship with the world—one grounded in safety, self-awareness, and compassion.

For anyone struggling with the aftermath of trauma, Fisher’s work offers both hope and practical tools. By addressing both the psychological and physical dimensions of trauma, Fisher’s methods empower individuals to heal and reclaim their lives in a profound, lasting way.