Childhood-abuse Quote by Christine A. Courtois
““... the silent client may be experienced as withholding, oppositional, and sulking or as holding the therapist "hostage" in ways that elicit resentment and other negative responses. Because it is not unusual that relational and other forms of traumatization began when the client was preverbal, he or she may not have words. The lack of access to emotions or to words to describe them is known as alexithymia and is a common response to trauma. What the client is likely to have instead is somatosensory, behavioral, dissociative, and relational manifestations that therapists must seek to understand and translate into words, a process that involves hard work and intense focus.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Treating Complex Trauma and Dissociation by Christine A. Courtois, 2014
Clients who cannot verbalize emotions may express trauma through bodily or relational behaviors, requiring therapists to interpret non‑verbal cues.
In simple terms: Trauma can show up in actions, not words.
Key Takeaway
Learn to read non‑verbal trauma signals.
Themes
trauma
communication
therapy
alexithymia
non‑verbal expression
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
clinical
educational
When to use this quote
- clinical sessions
- trauma-informed care
- patient assessment
Key Concepts
psychotherapy
attachment theory
somatic experiencing
Questions to Reflect On
- What techniques help differentiate trauma responses from other behaviors?
- How can therapists avoid imposing their own narratives?
A Different Perspective
Non‑verbal cues can be ambiguous and misinterpreted.
