Trauma therapy is a type of mental health treatment specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Trauma can result from various experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, war, or loss of a loved one. Trauma can also be experienced as small repetitive traumatic experiences over long periods of time during childhood, or in other various stages of life. The goal of trauma therapy is to help individuals process their trauma, reduce symptoms associated with it, and regain a sense of safety and control over their lives.
*Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside of you because of what happened to you" - Gabor Mate
Understanding Trauma:
Trauma therapy helps individuals understand the impact of trauma on their mind and body. It addresses how trauma can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical well-being.
Creating a Safe Environment:
A critical part of trauma therapy is establishing a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their experiences.
Processing Traumatic Memories:
Therapists work with clients to process traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and allows them to integrate these experiences into their overall life narrative.
Developing Coping Strategies:
Trauma therapy often involves teaching coping skills to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. These skills can include mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and cognitive restructuring.
Restoring a Sense of Control:
One of the main goals of trauma therapy is to help individuals regain a sense of control and empowerment. This can involve addressing feelings of helplessness and developing a stronger sense of self
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
Uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help process and reduce the distress. With associated with traumatic memories.
what is bilateral stimulation?
Bilateral stimulation refers to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, tapping, and eye movement, that activate both sides of the brain. Bilateral stimulation is a tool used in eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR), as it can soothe and calm the client’s nervous system, enhancing the client’s access to positive images, thoughts, emotions and body sensations. Bilateral stimulation is the process of using sounds, tapping, or eye movements on one side of the body before crossing over to the next side, therefore activating both hemispheres of the brain. Bilateral stimulation is actually what people often think EMDR therapy is; however, bilateral stimulation is only one powerful aspect of Dr. Francine Shapiro’s eight phases of EMDR therapy.
Structural Dissociation (Parts Work)
This theoretical framework and therapeutic model is used to understand and treat complex trauma and dissociative disorders. It focuses on the idea that, in response to overwhelming trauma, the mind can split into different "parts" or "selves," each holding different aspects of the person’s experience, such as emotions, memories, and perceptions. These parts can become dissociated or separated from one another, leading to difficulties in functioning and a fragmented sense of identity.
Sandtray Therapy:
Sandtray therapy is a therapeutic technique that allows individuals to express and explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-verbal, symbolic way. It involves the use of a tray filled with sand and a collection of miniature figures, objects, and symbols. Clients are invited to create scenes or "worlds" in the sand using these miniatures, which can reflect their inner experiences, conflicts, and emotions.