By: Caroline Anawate
What does trauma treatment in therapy look like?
First let’s begin by understanding that no one’s experience of trauma will be the same as another one’s experience of trauma, therefore trauma treatment will vary from individual to individual. When you are ready to depart on your journey of understanding your trauma, it is up to you to find what type of therapist fits best with you and your experiences.
What is trauma-informed therapy?
When one is looking to begin a trauma therapy journey, it is important to understand what trauma-informed therapy is. Trauma-informed therapists understand the all-encompassing impact of trauma on emotions, thoughts, the body, and the nervous system. They conceptualize symptoms of trauma as survival mechanisms rather than problems. Trauma-informed therapists actively work to create a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere for their clients through empowerment and collaboration. They acknowledge and understand that experiences of oppression i.e., homophobia, sexism, racism, and ableism are experiences of trauma, and actively work to be allies to marginalized communities. The purpose of trauma-informed therapy is to emphasize safety, collaboration, and empowerment while offering healthy skills and strategies to help one better understand, cope, and process emotions and memories tied to traumatic experiences.
Trauma Therapy Treatment
There are many different approaches to treating trauma and PTSD. It is important to understand that one single approach will not fit everyone, therefore you and your therapist should collaborate in order to find what best fits your needs. Here are some well-known evidence-based treatments for trauma-informed therapy:
Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT helps clients to learn new, more positive ways of addressing trauma-related beliefs and emotions. CPT shines a light on maladaptive or self-blaming thoughts caused by trauma and guides clients in challenging those thoughts and behaviors.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
PE teaches individuals to gradually approach their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations. The goal of this kind of therapy is to guide clients in learning that trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and to reform one’s thoughts and behaviors associated with those cues.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR believes that trauma and deeply held negative beliefs as a result of that trauma get trapped in the body. Thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations are activated while the stimulation helps reduce the emotional and physiological reaction to the trauma. EMDR uses bilateral sensory stimulation, memory recall, and grounding resources to reduce distress and desensitize clients to traumatic memory.
Other forms of trauma-informed therapy that aren’t specific to only trauma treatment but are still beneficial include:
Psychotherapy
Also known as talk therapy, gives one an opportunity to speak about their trauma and work through the healing process.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
The goal of DBT is to help clients learn how to better regulate emotions. DBT helps instill new skills in order to help clients change unhealthy behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps one to develop psychological flexibility and is a form of behavioral therapy that combines mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance. ACT encourages one to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them.
If you are someone who has been affected by trauma you are not alone and there is hope. Here at WellMinded Counseling, we have various practitioners who practice using a variety of trauma-informed treatment approaches and can help you on your journey.
OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED AT WELLMINDED COUNSELING
Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services:
