Guide to Trauma Therapy: Types, Methods, and Benefits
02 Aug 2024
One type of treatment that can assist you in managing the emotional reaction brought on by a traumatic event is trauma therapy. If the trauma you have encountered is interfering with your capacity to function or if you are finding it difficult to cope, this type of therapy may be able to help.
Trauma Therapy Types
Trauma can be treated with a variety of therapy modalities. A few types of therapy that a mental health professional might employ to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and assist you in overcoming trauma-related issues:
- Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy entails exposing you to the cause of your fear until it ceases to be a source of fear.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): CPT entails questioning your understanding of the circumstances surrounding the traumatic experience as well as the ideas and opinions you've since formed. It is possible to do this type of therapy in a group or individual environment.
- TF-CBT, or trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, is a type of treatment used with children and teenagers. It can assist in addressing harmful behaviour patterns and false ideas.
- Using rhythmic left-right (bilateral) stimulation, eye movement desensitization, and reprocessing (EMDR) helps patients release suppressed emotions due to trauma.
PE and CPT are the most research-proven front-line treatments for trauma since they have the most substantial evidence behind them. It takes three to four months to complete both treatments, which is a short period of time compared to the length of time some people suffer greatly as a result of trauma, both in-person and online versions of the therapies are effective. One benefit of CPT is that it can be carried out with or without a description of the actual event, which might be advantageous if you are reluctant to discuss the trauma or don't recall it. Additionally helpful in lowering PTSD symptoms are TF-CBT and EMDR, which can enhance general functioning and quality of life.
Methods
The methods employed in treating trauma can change based on the kind of therapy. A few methods your therapist may use:
- Imaginal exposure is a type of exposure therapy in which you see the trauma and tell your therapist about it aloud. This strategy assists you in facing any thoughts or memories associated with the trauma you experienced.
- Another method of exposure therapy is in vivo exposure. It takes place in real-world settings, away from the therapeutic setting. It is meant to assist you in progressively confronting everyday circumstances that you might shy away from due to the trauma attached to them.
- Written report: Your therapist can request that you put the trauma you've gone through into a detailed report.
- Writing an impact statement that outlines your beliefs about the traumatic experience and how it has affected your life is a typical CPT strategy.
- Cognitive restructuring techniques: Cognitive restructuring techniques can also be used in CPT to assist you in replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
How Trauma Therapy Can Be Helpful
You may manage trauma, regardless of whether it was brought on by a single incident or a prolonged or recurring circumstance, with the aid of trauma therapy. Therapy can treat these basic types of trauma, but it's crucial to remember that trauma can be caused by any incident or event that harms a person's emotions or psychologically:
- Abuse
- Mishaps
- Bullying
- Offense
- A loved one's passing
- Separation
- Violence or abuse in the home
- Illness
- Job loss
- Situations that pose a threat to life
- Natural catastrophes
- Experience of almost dying
- Racism in Neglect
- Sexual assault
- The Terror
- Violence
- Observing a tragic event, accident, or death
Advantages of Trauma Treatment
You can confront the traumatic incident and work through your feelings and emotions with the support of trauma therapy. It can provide you with a safe environment in which to confront your anxieties and teach you coping mechanisms that will make daily living easier.
Diminish Avoidance and Fear
Trauma can make it difficult for you to operate because it might inspire dread and make you avoid people, places, or things that remind you of the traumatic experience. For example, someone in a car accident on the freeway might not drive on it or be terrified to get in a car at all. You can face the trauma memory and get over your concerns with the support of therapy. Boost Coping Skills: "Problematic attitudes like 'I can't handle this,' are what sustain PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Trauma treatment can assist in giving you the self-assurance and coping mechanisms you require in order to function.
Establish Trust
Your sense of safety may be disturbed by traumatic experiences, which may make it difficult for you to trust people. Through treatment, an individual who internalized the notion that "it's unsafe to trust anyone" could be able to shift their perspective to one in which they consider that "despite my prior hurt, most people are decent and trustworthy, and it's okay to give them a chance.
Contest Unfounded Beliefs
To help you understand why the traumatic incident happened, therapy can help challenge any negative thought patterns you may have formed about yourself and the world around you. It is possible for someone who once thought, "I must be a bad person because bad things shouldn't happen to good people," to change their perspective. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people who do nothing to cause it. Even after a negative experience, I remain a kind person. Therapy can help disprove harmful beliefs, give you a fresh perspective on the traumatic event, and lessen the severity of trauma-related feelings like guilt and shame.
Provide Validation
Individuals who have gone through trauma and have been told time and time again that their traits, experiences, or feelings are illogical and inappropriate may suffer much more and eventually develop chronic problems. An illustration would be receiving criticism or verbal abuse after revealing a traumatic event. Therapy can provide the understanding and acceptance you need to begin the healing process and help you validate your experiences.
How Can Samarpan Help?
Samarpan offers support through various trauma therapy approaches tailored to individual needs. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge negative thought patterns, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for processing traumatic memories, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation. Additionally, Samarpan employs Narrative Therapy to reframe personal narratives, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to cultivate present-moment awareness. These approaches aim to empower individuals to navigate trauma-related symptoms and foster healing and resilience. With experienced therapists and a compassionate support network, Samarpan provides comprehensive trauma therapy to address the unique needs of each individual on their recovery journey.