Trauma had the ability to transform into whatever people close to him are afraid of. His powers first manifested in high school when he was trying to ask a cheerleader by the name of Cindy out, turning into her, her boyfriend's, and his friend's worst fears. He was asked to stay at home and finish school through correspondence classes. One day, during an argument, he turned into his mother's worst fear which caused her to be placed in a mental institution. When the Initiative formed, his stepfather convinced him to join. He trained at Camp Hammond.
After Armory showed what she was capable of in the combat simulator, Trauma was asked to show what he was able to do with his powers. But in order to show off his powers he needed to be near someone to activate it, so they asked Armory to stay in the combat simulator with him. Armory, having arachnophobia, made Trauma transform into a giant spider. Armory freaked out and shot an uncontrollable blast from her Tactigon which ended up killing MVP as he was pushing Cloud 9 out of the way. After the death of MVP, Cloud 9 constantly thought about what had happened to MVP and blamed herself for it. While being near Trauma on the obstacle course, he uncontrollably transformed into a zombified version MVP with half of his head missing, making Cloud 9 freak out. Yellowjacket jumped after him to stop his transformation, but when he came close, Trauma was transformed into a severely beaten up Janet Van Dyne which frightened Yellowjacket away from him.
Because he was unable to control his powers yet, Trauma was left behind on his team's first mission to destroy a HYDRA Terror-Carrier in Texas. Instead of the mission he was left to meet his new private tutor Mirage. Mirage was willing to help him learn how to use his powers, but he only wanted to be able to control them enough to be turned off. Beast made the mistake of mentioning Trauma's power as a gift. In retaliation he turned into what Hank McCoy feared, the hairless version of himself as he looked when he first joined the X-Men. Mirage interfered and Trauma turned into what she feared. He turned into Demon Bear and knocked Beast away. However, Mirage had learned how to deal with her fear and attacked Trauma in his state, getting him in a chokehold until he turned back to his regular state and agreed to get assistance from Mirage.
When The Hulk requested the evacuation of New York City, Trauma, again, was left out of his team's next mission. They were attempting to get people out of the city and calm the civilians down. Later, the rest of his class met up with the Hulk and witnessed the fallen Heroes and were imprisoned at Madison Square Gardens. Trauma worked with The Shadow Initiative to rescue the captured cadets.
During their rescue, Trauma faced off with Korg in the form of the mighty Thor, captivating Thor Girl. While escaping Madison Square Gardens the Hulk intervened, creating a diversion Ward changed into the Abomination, Juggernaut as well as Brian and Bruce Banner but in finding that Hulk had overcome his fears he ultimately lost the fight.
Through Mirage’s advice, he started therapy with Cloud 9. Thor Girl became attracted to Ward since his battle with Korg and awaited the end of the therapy session when a clone of MVP calling himself KIA went mad. Ending therapy for the day Ward and Thor Girl entered the fray. Upon confronting KIA, Thor Girl took a shot meant for Trauma. Enraged, Trauma attacked KIA taking the form of the Tactigon's greatest fear. This however did not scare KIA and he killed Ward.
At the viewing of Ward’s body, he surprisingly came back to life in his casket. Finishing his training he became part of the first graduating class of Camp Hammond. Upon receiving his assignment he became a staff member for the Initiative and took tests to learn more about his resurrection.
During the Skrulls' invasion of Earth, it was revealed that the Thor Girl he knew had in fact been a Skrull in disguise. After the Invasion ends, Trauma has a counseling session with the real Thor Girl. Before he could tell her that her Skrull imposter had a crush on him, the rampaging Thor clone disrupts their session. Thor Girl could tell the clone was not the real Thor and fought against him. However, the clone's anger only increased its brutality. But before he could deliver the final blow, the Initiative heroes intervened. Trauma turned into Thor to play on the clone's fear of not being the real Thor. Though at first successful, the clone soon worked out the deception, noticing Trauma charged instead of hurling his "hammer". He threw Trauma through a wall and attempts to finish him, only for Gorilla Girl to intervene. The clone then decided that she will be the first to die, for interfering in his "warrior" wrath. Then out of nowhere, Counter Force arrived. The heroes fought together against the clone but were unable to defeat him. After being shown that the true Thor had placed Asgard above Oklahoma, the clone takes the name Ragnarok and left to confront him.
Justice revealed the truth of MVP's death and how the Initiative covered it to the public. However, this gave Norman Osborn the perfect excuse to shut down Camp Hammond. Trauma attempts to leave the Initiative but is stopped by the Hood, who revealed Ward's true heritage as the son of Nightmare. The Hood offered to restore his mother's sanity if Trauma remained in the Initiative; Trauma accepts the offer.
At Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. Trauma began therapy sessions with an amnesic Robbie Baldwin. Robbie's mental condition troubled Trauma, giving him nightmares. Disgusted, he attempted to quit, antagonizing the Hood in the process. Taskmaster forces him back to work. Trauma gave Penance a cat for use as a therapy animal. Trauma went to take a nap; meanwhile, Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. was attacked by the Avengers Resistance. As he naps, Trauma is possessed by his father, Nightmare.
Nightmare unleashed horrors upon the camp, inflicting everyone with their worst fears. He forces Penance to remember everything he had forgotten, the pain and guilt incapacitating him. However, Tigra helps him recover, and he forced Nightmare to release Trauma. Trauma and Penance were invited to join the Avengers Resistance but declined.
Trauma left the Initiative, with varying reports stating that he was with Dr. Strange or seeking a man named Karl in Pittsfield. Meaning, no one knew where he was, with later sightings placing him all over the world.
Trauma was present at Leonardo da Vinci's S.H.I.E.L.D. successor organization base. He also became a therapist by using his powers to help people with their issues. One of his clients was Franklin Richards.
