Developmental Trauma Inquiries to Explore in Therapy:

Trauma Impact on Development and Relationships 

Unraveling the Past: Developmental Trauma Questions for Healing

1. How have your experiences of trauma shaped how you view and interact with others?
2. Do you notice patterns in the types of relationships or dynamics you are drawn to?
3. How do feelings of trust or betrayal show up in your current relationships?
4. How has your trauma influenced your attachment style (e.g., anxious, avoidant, secure)?
5. What fears or defenses do you notice arise in your relationships with men, women, or authority figures?

Decision-Making and Cognitive Processes 

1. How do you approach decision-making? Do you notice patterns of overthinking, avoidance, or impulsivity?
2. What role do fear, guilt, or perfectionism play in your thought processes?
3. Are there internal voices or messages that affect your confidence in making decisions?
4. How do you process conflicting emotions or perspectives when making choices?
5. Have there been moments when your decisions felt guided by past patterns or unprocessed experiences?

Emotional Reactivity and Behavior 

1. How do you respond to feelings like anger, fear, sadness, or joy?
2. What triggers emotional reactions for you, and how do these show up physically (e.g., racing heart, tight chest)?
3. How do you typically cope with or regulate strong emotions? Are there patterns that help or harm you?
4. Do you notice behaviors or habits (e.g., addictions, avoidant actions) that feel connected to your trauma?
5. What behaviors feel like they served you in the past but no longer seem helpful?

Safety, Tolerances, and Preferences 

1. What environments or people feel safe to you, and why?
2. Are there places, actions, or relationships you avoid because they feel unsafe or overwhelming?
3. How do you establish boundaries, and how comfortable are you maintaining them?
4. Are there patterns in your habits or routines that reflect a need for control or safety?
5. What preferences (e.g., solitude, certain spaces, sensory needs) have developed to help you feel grounded?

Relational Trauma and Models 

1. How did your parents or caregivers model love, conflict, and communication?
2. What patterns from your past relationships (romantic, platonic, or familial) feel like they repeat today?
3. How did religious or cultural leaders influence your understanding of authority, submission, or trust?
4. What messages about gender, roles, or expectations did you absorb from peers, boyfriends, or others?
5. How do you think these relational models shaped your beliefs about yourself and others?

Themes, Patterns, and Triggers 

1. What recurring themes or patterns do you notice in your relationships, work, or personal life?
2. How do specific people or situations activate triggers (e.g., physical sensations, thoughts, or emotions)?
3. What are the most common situations where you feel overwhelmed, shut down, or hyper-reactive?
4. Are there certain words, tones, or behaviors from others that evoke strong emotional responses?
5. How do you usually respond (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) when triggered?

Integration and Therapy Goals 

1. What areas of your life feel fragmented or disconnected that you’d like to explore in therapy?
2. How would you describe the parts of yourself that feel most vulnerable or misunderstood?
3. What psychoeducational topics (e.g., attachment, trauma, neurobiology) would help you understand yourself better?
4. Are there specific aspects of your past that you feel ready to process or reframe?
5. How do you envision integrating the different parts of yourself into a more cohesive sense of identity?

Fears, Anger, and Avoidance 

1. What are your primary fears, and how do they influence your decisions or behaviors?
2. What situations or memories evoke feelings of anger, and how do you typically respond to them?
3. Are there specific topics, emotions, or people you avoid, and what do you think underlies this avoidance?
4. What unresolved issues or conflicts from your past feel the most difficult to confront?
5. How does avoidance help you in the short term, and how does it affect you in the long term?

Psycho-Physiological Triggers 

1. How does your body typically respond to stress or triggers (e.g., muscle tension, fatigue, nausea)?
2. Do you notice patterns in your energy levels, sleep, or appetite when you’re triggered?
3. Are there specific sensory experiences (e.g., smells, sounds, physical sensations) that bring back traumatic memories?
4. How do you usually calm your body when it reacts to stress or danger signals?
5. What role do grounding techniques or mindfulness play in helping you regulate your physiological responses?