Carrying Old Pain Into Adulthood: Trauma Counseling for Young Adults in West Babylon, NY
For many young adults, adulthood is often framed as a fresh start, a time of independence, self-discovery, and growth. Yet for countless individuals, the past does not stay neatly behind. Childhood experiences, particularly painful or traumatic ones, can quietly shape how we think, feel, relate, and even how our bodies function years later. Research consistently shows that unresolved childhood trauma can have lasting psychological and physical effects across the lifespan (Felitti et al., 1998). Understanding childhood trauma, recognizing how it manifests in adulthood, and knowing that healing is possible are essential steps toward reclaiming control over one’s life and overall well-being. Trauma counseling for young adults in West Babylon, NY, can provide the support, guidance, and tools needed to navigate this healing journey.
What is Childhood Trauma? Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Childhood trauma refers to experiences during early development that overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope and feel safe. These experiences may include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, emotional or physical neglect, exposure to domestic violence, parental substance use, mental illness, incarceration, or chronic instability within the home. These stressors are collectively referred to as “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)”, a term introduced through a landmark study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente (Felitti et al., 1998).
The ACE study demonstrated a strong, graded relationship between the number of adverse experiences in childhood and negative outcomes in adulthood, including mental health disorders, chronic disease, and even early mortality. Importantly, ACEs are not limited to extreme or isolated incidents; rather, they often involve prolonged exposure to stress without adequate emotional support. Trauma is shaped not only by what occurred, but also by what was absent: consistent caregiving, emotional attunement, protection, or safety (van der Kolk, 2014). Many young adults minimize their negative and/or traumatic experiences because they believe others “had it worse,” yet trauma is subjective, and its impact is determined by the nervous system’s response, not comparison.
How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Adulthood
Unresolved childhood trauma frequently emerges in adulthood in subtle yet pervasive ways. Emotionally, individuals may experience chronic anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, shame, or difficulty regulating emotions. Heightened stress reactivity, persistent self-criticism, and feelings of inadequacy are common, particularly among those who grew up in environments where love or safety felt conditional (Herman, 1992). Even in objectively safe circumstances, the body may remain in a state of hypervigilance.
Relational and interpersonal difficulties are also common. Early attachment disruptions can significantly influence how individuals relate to others in adulthood. Research on attachment theory suggests that trauma can lead to patterns of fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting, people pleasing behaviors, or emotional withdrawal (Bowlby, 1988). Young adults may find themselves repeating unhealthy relationship dynamics or struggling to establish boundaries, often without fully understanding why.
Trauma is not only psychological, but it is also physiological. Chronic activation of the stress response system during childhood can have long-term effects on your physical health. Studies have linked higher ACE scores to increased risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and fatigue (Anda et al., 2006). Behavioral coping strategies such as substance use, disordered eating, or overworking often develop as adaptive responses to stress rather than conscious choices, further highlighting trauma’s embodied nature.
Okay, So What Now? How Therapy Helps & Why Healing Is Possible
While the effects of childhood trauma can feel overwhelming, research and clinical practice continue to show that healing is possible. Trauma counseling for young adults offers a supportive and nonjudgmental space to explore their experiences, better understand their emotional and physical responses, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Trauma-informed approaches help reframe symptoms not as personal shortcomings, but as adaptive responses that once served a protective purpose.
As individuals move into adulthood, there is often a gradual shift in awareness. While no one is responsible for the trauma they experienced as children, adulthood provides an opportunity to decide how that trauma will be carried forward. Choosing to engage in therapy is not about blame or obligation; rather, it is an act of care and self-respect. When healing is postponed or avoided, old patterns can continue to influence your wellbeing in ways that feel confusing or discouraging. Therapy with a counselor for young adults in West Babylon, NY, offers a path toward greater understanding and relief.
Evidence-Based Paths to Healing and Growth
Evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapies, and mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and symptom reduction (van der Kolk, 2014). Through this work, individuals can learn skills that may not have been available to them earlier in life, including emotional regulation, boundary setting, and self-compassion. Research suggests that addressing trauma can lead to improvements in mental health, physical well-being, and relationship satisfaction (CDC, 2022).
Healing does not require forgetting or minimizing painful experiences; it involves learning how to live fully without being defined by them. Young adulthood can become a meaningful turning point, a time to move from survival toward intentional living. With support, patience, and compassion, individuals can begin to reshape their health, relationships, and outlook on life. Healing becomes a personal choice grounded in hope, resilience, and the belief that lasting change is possible. If you feel that you’re ready to take the next step towards healing and intentional living, we are here to support you at B&B Well Counseling, wherever it is you are on your journey.
Carrying Old Pain? Trauma Counseling for Young Adults in West Babylon, NY Can Help
Early adulthood often comes with invisible burdens. Memories, experiences, and old wounds that continue to shape how you feel, respond, and move through life. If you’re a young adult in West Babylon, NY, struggling with unresolved trauma, feeling stuck, or noticing that past pain is influencing your present, you don’t have to carry it alone.
At B&B Well Counseling, we provide trauma counseling for young adults in West Babylon, NY, designed to help you process old wounds, gain clarity, and build a healthier relationship with yourself and others. Working with a therapist who understands how past experiences can ripple into current challenges allows you to explore your emotions safely, release unhelpful patterns, and develop tools for resilience.
Here’s how you can take the first step toward healing:
Reach out to B&B Well Counseling by phone or through our secure online contact form to schedule a consultation.
Learn more about trauma counseling for young adults in West Babylon, NY, and discover approaches tailored to your unique experiences.
Begin working with a therapist who helps you process past trauma, understand its impact on your life, and move forward with confidence and emotional balance.
Whether you’re seeking relief from lingering pain, support in understanding yourself, or guidance in breaking patterns rooted in past trauma, working with a counselor for young adults can provide a safe space for healing, insight, and renewed hope.
Explore Additional Services at B&B Well Counseling in West Babylon, NY
At B&B Well Counseling, we provide support for young adults navigating a variety of challenges, from relationship difficulties and depression to major life changes and the pursuit of emotional stability. Our mission is to create a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where you can feel heard and make progress at a pace that works for you.
Beyond anxiety therapy for young adults, we offer individual therapy for adults, couples counseling, therapy for children, and therapy for pre-teens and teens. We also provide online therapy options throughout New York State. Our team brings expertise in women’s health concerns, autism and intellectual disabilities, and parenting support for families with special needs. Whether in person in West Babylon or through virtual sessions, all our care is grounded in trauma-informed practices designed to support healing and growth.
Meet the Therapist: Melissa Reyes Martinez, LCSW
Melissa Reyes Martinez, LCSW, is a bilingual Latinx therapist fluent in both English and Spanish. She earned her Master’s degree from Hunter College’s Graduate School of Social Work and is passionate about supporting clients in navigating life’s challenges with compassion and cultural sensitivity.
Outside of her practice, Melissa enjoys kickboxing, soaking up the sun at the beach, listening to true crime podcasts, and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews. Her approach blends warmth, understanding, and practical strategies, creating a supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, empowered, and confident in taking meaningful steps toward lasting change.
References Collected by a Therapist for Young Adults
Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Bremner, J. D., Walker, J. D., Whitfield, C., Perry, B. D., Dube, S. R., & Giles, W. H. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256(3), 174–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-005-0624-4
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.
Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery. Basic Books.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.