Understanding the Three E’s of Trauma: A Path to Healing

Trauma is a complex topic, one that requires an individual approach, as everyone experiences events and situations differently. The Three E’s of Trauma provide a framework for processing trauma so we can resolve it empathetically and constructively.

When we work through the Three E’s of Trauma, we gain insight into the complex nature of traumatic experiences. By addressing each component, we can support healing and inspire confidence in trauma recovery. Engaging with this knowledge through SACAP’s short online courses and degree programmes can empower you to help yourself and others in trauma recovery.

In this post, we will discuss what the Three E’s of Trauma are, with insight from Dr Scott Giacomucci. Through this discussion, we’ll learn more about how a qualified mental health practitioner would approach trauma work in a supportive way.

Understanding the Three E’s of Trauma

Trauma is a multi-layered and multidimensional experience, and the Three E’s framework offers a versatile approach that can be adapted to various trauma cases, helping you understand how trauma may affect individuals differently both psychologically and physically. 

To clarify, the Three E’s are Event, Experience, and Effects. Each of these elements plays a role in how trauma manifests and its potential impact on wellbeing. When we understand each one, we can implement effective interventions and practical steps in trauma recovery. Therefore, the framework is a valuable tool for those seeking to heal or support others.

Below, we’ll explain each of these concepts, with insight from Dr Giacomucci. 

Event

Dr Giacomucci defines the first “E” of trauma as the event, which “causes physical or psychological harm or threatens to cause physical or psychological harm”. The latter part is crucial, as traumatic events can also involve nothing happening at all, for example, in the case of abandonment and neglect, or even stalking. 

To simplify this concept, it’s helpful to think of the event or non-event as the starting point. The event could also be several different events and be cumulative, which adds further complexity when trying to identify the source of a traumatic response. However, regardless of what happened or when, it is helpful to get some kind of handle on the initiating event or events that triggered the traumatic response. 

Ultimately, what defines a traumatic event is not actually the event itself, but rather a person’s response to it. What we typically think of as significantly traumatic events, such as natural and significant loss, won’t always affect people the same way. Therefore, there may be multiple events that contribute towards trauma. Regardless of what the experience looks like, the commonality is the intensity and the danger it presents, which we will discuss next. 

Experience

The second “E” is experience, referring to how a person perceives and interprets a traumatic event. No one will experience any event in the same way. Even smaller events, sometimes referred to as “micro-traumas”, can have a destabilising effect on some people and seem benign to others. 

As Dr Giacomucci shares, this awareness is relevant when looking at the difference between how children and adults experience trauma, because as a child, our brain circuitry and processing abilities are different. Therefore, traumatic experiences can have a particularly detrimental effect on children. 

Other contextual factors affect a person’s experience. For example, were they socially isolated or supported? Or are there cultural influences that affect the way a person deals with significant events? This variability emphasises why trauma is so complex and why it requires specialised trauma-informed care and support, as no two cases will be the same. 

Effects

As Dr Giacomucci notes, the root of the word “trauma” comes from the Greek word for “wound.” Therefore, while we may focus on the event and make our own assessments of whether it was “traumatic,” the trauma is actually the effect of the experience, not necessarily the event itself. 

Therefore, the third ‘E’ refers to Effects, including the physical and emotional consequences of trauma. As mentioned above, something doesn’t even have to happen to be traumatic; it can also be the threat of danger, for example, stalking or threats.

Overall, some of the most common effects of trauma include mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Experiencing a severely traumatic event can also manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), involving nightmares and flashbacks, and other somatic symptoms, for example, digestive issues. 

Interestingly, the effects of a traumatic event might only manifest in later life, as Dr Giacomucci shares in relation to adult survivors of child abuse. In this case, trauma resurfaces when trauma survivors have their own children. Vicarious trauma is also possible, which means that you may experience all the same effects of a traumatic event while witnessing someone else experiencing it. 

A person suffering from the effects of a traumatic experience can start to struggle with daily functioning, disrupting relationships and reducing quality of life. Ultimately, trauma is far-reaching, which means we require compassionate, trauma-informed care from qualified professionals to support people and help them heal and reclaim their lives. 

Empower yourself to support others through crisis and trauma

As we’ve explored in this article, understanding the Three E’s-Event, Experience, and Effects-can significantly enhance trauma-informed care practices, enabling practitioners and students to address trauma comprehensively and empathetically, thereby improving client outcomes. 

Thankfully, there is much research currently being done on trauma, and an increasing focus on developing effective forms of trauma-informed care, popularised by authors such as Bessel van der Kolk and Dr Gabor Maté. 

In fact, moving forward, Dr Giacomucci shares that trauma recovery can also involve “Post-traumatic growth”, which focuses on how we can grow from our experiences. Working through trauma with professional support and education can foster hope and motivate individuals to seek help and grow from their experiences.

Learn counselling, crisis and trauma management skills at SACAP

If you are interested in gaining knowledge and tools to navigate the healing process and provide a pathway to recovery, SACAP Global offers specialised courses designed to help individuals and mental health practitioners better understand and address trauma. These courses include:

• Intro to Crisis & Trauma
• Symptoms of Crisis and Trauma
• Crisis Interventions
• Effective Crisis and Trauma Management

SACAP also offers a range of specialised degree programmes focused on counselling, as well as accredited degree programmes in applied psychology:

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling)
• Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
• Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills