What Is Trauma Therapy?
All You Need To Know (Updated 2023)
Trauma therapy can help individuals process and manage the impact of trauma on their emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, and ultimately, lead to a greater sense of healing, growth, and resilience.
It is very common to experience a range of symptoms after any type of traumatic event that affect your daily life and relationships.
Trauma therapy can offer a safe and supportive space to process your trauma and heal from its impact.
In this article, we'll explore what inclusive trauma therapy is, why it's important, and what you can expect if you choose to participate:
Trauma can leave deep wounds in our hearts and minds.
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy is a type of therapy designed to help individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as abuse, violence, natural disasters, or accidents.
The goal of trauma therapy is to help the individual overcome the emotional and psychological impact of the traumatic event, and to develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing their symptoms.
There are several different types of trauma therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic therapy.
These techniques can teach them new skills for managing their emotions and reducing anxiety and stress.
Trauma therapy may involve talking about the traumatic event, working through emotions related to the event, and developing coping strategies for managing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
The therapist may also teach relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to help the individual manage their symptoms in the moment.
The ultimate goal of trauma therapy is to help the individual process their trauma in a healthy and productive way, so that they can move forward with their lives in a positive and meaningful way.
How can trauma therapy help?
Trauma therapy can help individuals process and manage the impact of trauma on their lives.
Below are 5 ways trauma therapy can help individuals needing to process trauma:
Provides a safe and supportive space to process trauma: Trauma therapy offers a non-judgmental and compassionate environment where individuals can explore their thoughts, feelings, and memories related to the traumatic event. This can help people feel validated, heard, and understood, and reduce the sense of isolation and shame that often accompanies trauma.
Can reduce symptoms of trauma-related disorders: Trauma therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders. Through various therapeutic techniques, individuals can learn how to manage their symptoms and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Improves relationships and communication: Trauma can affect how individuals interact with others and express themselves. Trauma therapy can help you develop healthier communication skills, boundaries, and trust in relationships. This can improve their overall quality of life and reduce the risk of social isolation or interpersonal conflicts.
Enhances self-awareness and resilience: Trauma therapy can help individuals gain insight into their own beliefs, values, and strengths. Through self-reflection and self-care practices, individuals can learn how to build resilience, manage stress, and cope with future challenges. This can empower them to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life beyond the trauma.
Promotes a sense of closure and meaning-making: Trauma therapy can help individuals make sense of their trauma and find a sense of closure or resolution. By processing their trauma in a supportive and structured way, individuals can reframe their trauma as a part of their life story rather than defining their identity. This can lead to a greater sense of meaning, purpose, and growth.
Overall, trauma therapy can help individuals recover from the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of trauma, and improve their overall well-being.
If you or someone you know has experienced trauma, consider reaching out us, we can provide the care and support you need to heal.
During trauma therapy, a therapist works with a person to process and work through traumatic experiences and any associated symptoms in a safe and supportive environment.
What happens during trauma therapy?
Here are some of the things that may happen during trauma therapy:
Building trust and rapport: The first step in trauma therapy is to establish a trusting and respectful relationship between you and your therapist. Therapists are trained to create a non-judgmental and empathic space where you can feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings.
Assessing your needs and goals: Every person's experience of trauma is different, and so is their healing journey. Your therapist will work with you to understand your specific needs, goals, and strengths. They may ask you questions about your trauma history, your current symptoms, and your coping strategies. Together, you will develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your situation and preferences.
Exploring trauma-related emotions and beliefs: Trauma can evoke intense emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, shame, and sadness. These emotions can be overwhelming and confusing, and may affect your self-image, relationships, and worldview. In trauma therapy, you will have the opportunity to explore and express your emotions in a safe and structured way. Your therapist may use techniques such as talk therapy, art therapy, or mindfulness to help you regulate your emotions and identify unhelpful beliefs that may perpetuate your distress.
Processing traumatic memories: Trauma memories can haunt you long after the event has ended. They may appear as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, or dissociation. Processing traumatic memories means confronting them in a way that allows you to integrate them into your narrative without being retraumatized. Your therapist may use different methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma-focused cognitive therapy, to help you reprocess your memories and reduce their emotional charge.
Developing coping skills and resilience: Trauma therapy is not just about healing past wounds, but also about building future resilience. Your therapist will help you develop and practice coping skills that you can use in challenging situations, such as stress management, relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, and boundary-setting. They will also encourage you to identify and activate your personal resources, such as social support, hobbies, spirituality, or personal values, that can help you maintain your well-being and pursue your goals.
Frequently asked questions:
Does insurance cover trauma therapy?
Some insurance plans, especially those that include mental health coverage, may provide partial or full reimbursement for trauma therapy.
It's best to check with your insurance provider to determine what services are covered and what your out-of-pocket expenses might be.
How long should trauma therapy take?
The length of trauma therapy can vary depending on the individual's needs, the severity of the trauma, and the chosen therapeutic approach, but it typically involves a long-term commitment to healing and recovery.
How much does trauma therapy cost?
Cost of trauma therapy at Cadenza Counseling is $130 per 50 minute session.
At Cadenza Counseling, we provide compassionate care to help you reclaim your resilience and well-being.