*Trauma*, as defined by Gabor Maté, is not just the bad things that happen to us, but also what happens inside us as a result of those bad things. Using this definition, trauma is extremely common, although it can obviously vary in degrees of intensity. To use [[IFS]] terms, when we're disconnected from [[Self]] or the Self of others when something bad happens or we endure an attachment injury, [[Protectors]] step in to protect our systems from harm by suppressing the trauma and exiling the parts ([[Exiles]]) that carry it and taking on roles to prevent the part from being triggered again. However, when we and others (especially caregivers if we're young) can be a present, supportive, and safe space to process and welcome difficult experiences, our [[Parts]] are far less likely to carry trauma and burdens: [[Exiles are frozen in past traumatic events because their trauma wasn't compassionately witnessed and validated]].