You can begin with the impact you notice today
You might begin with sleep, a relationship pattern, a situation you avoid, or the feeling that your system is always preparing for something. Those concerns provide a useful starting point without requiring a chronological account.
It is reasonable to ask why a question is being asked and how the answer will help the work. Counselling should leave room for informed choice.
Pacing is part of the work
Moving slowly is not the same as avoiding everything. It can mean building enough steadiness to notice what is happening while remaining connected to the present.
You and your counsellor can agree on ways to pause, change direction, or end with time to settle before returning to the rest of your day.
Ask directly about fit and training
Trauma is a broad word, and counsellors have different training and limits. During a consultation, describe the kind of support you want and ask what experience, methods, and safety planning the counsellor brings.
A useful consultation supports an honest decision about fit, including when another provider or a different level of care would be more appropriate.