Noticing Trauma sentence starters
Feel free to alter dialogue to suit your muse!
“That really spooked you.”
“I don’t want to pry, but.. I want you to know I also want to listen, if you want someone to talk to.”
“Well, pretend I’m not here. What would you say if nobody could hear it?”
“Does this happen a lot?”
“Hey, what happened between you two?”
“When is the last time you ate?”
“This is the third meal you’ve missed this week, are you okay?”
“What did he/she/they do?”
“You don’t feel safe, here.”
“When you look at [trigger], you… what is that?”
“You were crying in your sleep.”
“What do you dream about?”
“Whenever you get stressed, you do this thing with your hands. What is it?”
“You’re right, I don’t understand, yet. Will you help me?”
“Should I leave a light on for you?”
“I brought you some water.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with trust. You don’t have to tell me. But I’ll listen, if you do.”
“Count your breaths with me, okay? Ready? One, two, three, four…”
“You don’t need to tell me everything. I just want to know how I can help.”
“Let me hold your hair back, at least.”
“You used to love that [item].”