Stage 3 Integration is described as which of the following?

• A. Stage 3 involves processing and integrating the trauma into the person’s life narrative.
• B. Stage 3 occurs before Stage 1.
• C. Stage 3 is primarily about denial of the event.
• D. Stage 3 is identical to Stage 1.

Answer: (A)

Stage 3 Integration involves processing the trauma and embedding it into the person’s life narrative. After establishing safety and learning to cope, this stage focuses on making meaning of the event, reconciling the memory with one’s identity, and adapting future behavior and relationships accordingly. It helps reduce fragmentation and allows the person to tell a coherent story about themselves that includes the trauma rather than being defined by it. This stands in contrast to denial or avoidance, and it is distinct from the earlier stabilization work. So describing Stage 3 as processing and integrating the trauma into the life narrative best captures its essence.