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Trauma Therapy

The re-experiencing of traumatic event such as accidents, attacks, or even abuse at the hands of others can persist for years if left unaddressed. In addition, past sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse may continue to affect you and your relationships. 

Therapy for Trauma and Victims of Abuse

The experience of trauma is more common than most individuals would assume. Part of the difficulty in coping with trauma-related disorders is the silence and stigma associated with having experienced a trauma. From sexual assault and military combat injuries, to car accidents and experiencing natural disasters, there are a variety of ways trauma can be experienced. 
 

Understanding Trauma and Abuse: A Comprehensive Insight

Trauma is not just a fleeting moment; it's an experience that can linger, deeply rooted in one's psyche, often manifesting in various forms long after the triggering event has concluded. Unfortunately, in many societies, trauma is enshrouded in silence and stigmatization, which compounds the emotional pain, making recovery even more challenging.


Trauma in Numbers: An Eye-Opening Glimpse

According to the data provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

  • A large proportion of individuals who endure a traumatic event will not suffer from PTSD.

  • An estimated 6% of the U.S. population, translating to 6 in every 100 people, are likely to experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime. A notable number of individuals with PTSD will recuperate after receiving treatment and will no longer meet the diagnostic threshold for PTSD. Therefore, this percentage includes individuals who have had PTSD at any moment in their lives, even if they have subsequently recovered from the symptoms.

  • In any given year, about 5% of adults in the U.S., or 5 in every 100, are diagnosed with PTSD. In 2020, the condition affected approximately 13 million Americans.

  • The likelihood of developing PTSD is higher among women compared to men. Specifically, around 8% of women or 8 in every 100, and 4% of men or 4 in every 100, will face PTSD at some stage in their lives. This disparity is partially due to the varied types of traumatic events that women are more prone to encounter, such as sexual assault, as opposed to men.

What are the Symptoms of Trauma?

The symptoms of trauma can vary widely from person to person and may range from mild to severe. Here are the key points regarding the symptoms of trauma.
 

Severity and Variability:

The symptoms of trauma can range from mild to severe, and how a traumatic event affects a person can be influenced by many factors including their personal characteristics and the presence of other mental health conditions​​.
 

Response to Stressful Events:

Trauma is essentially a response to intensely stressful events or situations. The effects of trauma can be long-lasting, though recovery and healing are possible​.
 

Distressing Symptoms:

Individuals may experience distressing symptoms following a traumatic event. It's common for people to engage in unhealthy coping strategies such as substance use to avoid these symptoms. However, avoidance is only a short-term solution and can lead to an intensification of feelings and thoughts over the long run​.
 

Long-term Symptoms:

Long-term symptoms of trauma may include continuous feelings of agitation or distress, dissociation from the event, and intense memories of the event. In some cases, delayed signs of trauma may manifest as sleep disorders, fear of re-experiencing the traumatic event, depression, and avoidance of emotional activities​.
 

Emotional and Physical Reactions:

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event such as an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Initially, shock and denial are typical reactions. Over the longer term, individuals may experience unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.​

Journey to Healing: Rediscovering Wholeness

Recovering from trauma isn't merely about forgetting or moving past the painful memories. It's a holistic process of understanding, reprocessing, and rebuilding oneself.

Although we cannot undo the past, we can heal.

About 8 of every 10 women and 4 of every 10 men experience at least one trauma in their lives.

Image by Susan Wilkinson
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How to Heal from Trauma

There are many different approaches to treat the symptoms caused by trauma. One of the trauma therapy methods that has the most research backing is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. In this type of trauma counseling, clients revisit and reprocess traumatic memories while engaging in another task to control for how distressing the process can be. Other techniques may include CBT exposure therapy, narrative therapy, breathwork, and other explorations which may provide a passage to healing by allowing clients to safely revisit earlier events and reprocess them in healthier ways.


Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is a unique, evidence-based psychotherapy method designed specifically to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. The process involves eight distinct phases where the therapist helps the client process traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation, most commonly in the form of guided eye movements. By revisiting the trauma in a safe, controlled setting, the client can desensitize their reactions to it and reprocess the event in a more constructive light. Over time, EMDR has shown to be effective in reducing or even eliminating the intense emotional responses and intrusive thoughts often linked with traumatic experiences.
 

CBT Exposure Therapy:

A subtype of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy focuses on helping individuals confront and reduce the fear and avoidance associated with traumatic memories. Over a series of sessions, therapists assist clients in safely and gradually facing these memories or triggers. By consistently confronting the trauma in a supportive environment, the intense emotional charge often lessens, leading to decreased symptoms of anxiety and PTSD. It's based on the principle that avoidance of trauma reinforces the fear, whereas exposure challenges and often diminishes it.
 

Narrative Therapy:

Originating from the works of Michael White and David Epston in the 1980s, Narrative Therapy is an approach that sees people as separate from their problems. This therapy helps individuals to externalize their issues, allowing them to view these challenges from a different perspective. By re-authoring their life stories, clients can focus on their inherent strengths, values, and skills. The approach encourages the creation of a new, empowering narrative that emphasizes resilience, growth, and a future not dominated by past traumas.
 

Breathwork:

This ancient practice focuses on using controlled breathing techniques to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Different from regular breathing, breathwork is an active meditation that encourages the release of emotional tension and promotes relaxation. The rhythmic patterns in breathwork can help in processing emotions, alleviating stress symptoms, and achieving a state of balance and grounding. It's especially valuable for trauma survivors, as it can aid in reconnecting with their body in a positive way.
 

Somatic Therapy:

Somatic therapy combines talk therapy with what are known as somatic (body-centered) techniques. It's grounded in the understanding that trauma, particularly severe or repetitive events, can manifest in physical symptoms. By focusing on the perceived sensations in the body, clients can release pent-up trauma. Techniques might include dance, exercise, deep breathing, and other physical activities. The goal is to help trauma survivors re-establish a connection with their body, recognize its signals, and process stored emotions.
 

Mindfulness-Based Therapy:

Derived from ancient Buddhist practices, mindfulness involves staying present and fully engaging with the here and now. Mindfulness-based therapies, like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), teach individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. For trauma survivors, this can be particularly valuable as it provides tools to detach from distressing memories, ground themselves in the present, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It fosters a sense of calm, acceptance, and resilience amidst life's challenges.

Embrace the Next Chapter of Your Life

The path to recovery is layered, often demanding courage, persistence, and support. Our dedicated team of trauma therapists are poised to stand by you, offering expert guidance, empathy, and the most effective therapeutic strategies.

Your Healing Begins Today: Contact us at 305-605-LOVE or book your session online to initiate your healing journey. Let's work together to transform pain into power.

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