Studies published by the National Institute of Health and the National Center for PTSD estimate that around 60-70% of people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and only 30% of those affected by trauma actually seek therapy. That means the majority is often left dismissing the effects of their trauma, letting their emotional wounds grow deeper. So how does trauma therapy work? Is it really effective, and if so what are the benefits of trauma therapy? In this blog, we’ll explore those questions along with common trauma therapy methods/treatments and what to expect in trauma therapy.
Table of Contents
How Trauma Therapy Works
The main goal of all trauma therapy is to understand the cause of a client’s trauma symptoms, then produce a safe environment where the client and therapist work together to unpack and reprocess traumatic experiences. Some may ask, why is trauma therapy so hard? Oftentimes, individuals tend to hold in extremely emotionally activating feelings, and part of trauma recovery is uncovering their wounds, which can sound overwhelming; however, in trauma therapy, the therapists will work collaboratively with the client to create a sense of safety to allow the path of healing to begin at a pace that feels okay to the client. To better understand the goals of trauma recovery, the 3C’s of trauma provide a framework to help clients along their healing journey:
-
Cause – “I didn’t cause it.” This simple phrase can help survivors shift the blame away from themselves.
-
Control – “I can’t control it.” By realizing that the trauma has already happened, it removes the burden of responsibility and helps relieve unnecessary anxiety.
-
Cope – “I can cope with it” Although the past cannot be changed, coping skills are a tool that can be developed to help regain safety and control in your life.
With the framework and goals of trauma therapy established, here are some examples of common treatments:
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy – EMDR therapy is a form of trauma therapy that utilizes guided eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation, which then allows the client to reprocess traumatic memories and re-interpret the trauma through a clearer, healthier lens.
-
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy – IFS therapy is an effective form of trauma therapy that treats the mind as a system of different inner personalities. By approaching trauma in this way, it helps clients recognize the need to heal their inner selves and connect with themselves on a deeper, more compassionate level.
The Path to Trauma Recovery
Starting the path towards healing can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what that path entails. It’s important to note that while therapy aims to support your overall mental and emotional well-being, trauma therapy focuses on addressing and supporting the distressing symptoms that are impacting your nervous system, your sense of safety, and everyday living. In trauma therapy, there is an additional importance on creating safety, which can look like moving at a pace that feels right to you and to develop a growing understanding of how to self-regulate or co-regulate with the therapist. Trauma counseling involves supporting the client in a safe space to gently unpack and process past experiences in a manageable way. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us and schedule your trauma therapy today!
