Are you feeling stuck in the wake of a traumatic experience? Trauma can be incredibly difficult to process and often requires long-term healing. Whether you are looking for ways to move forward or simply want to understand your experiences better, trauma therapy is an extremely powerful tool that can help. In this blog post, we’ll explore six types of trauma therapy and how they can lead to successful outcomes for those working through their trauma. From treating symptoms associated with PTSD to exploring alternative forms of communication, this guide will equip readers with the knowledge needed on their journey towards recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based talking therapy that helps individuals break old habits and form new ones. It can address many issues ranging from work or school stress, relationship problems, negative thinking, and even trauma. CBT focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour to identify unhelpful behaviour patterns. By addressing these behaviour patterns with a skilled therapist, individuals can develop insight into how these thought patterns might influence their behaviours and better understand why they may repeat the same destructive habits. In some cases, CBT is combined with other types of trauma therapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or trauma-focused cognitive behavioural techniques. With the support of a qualified clinician and consistent effort from the individual, CBT can help people move away from past behaviours towards developing new healthy habits that provide lasting change.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a psychological treatment strategy that guides individuals through gradual, repeated exposures to their fears to help them move past them. People may be afraid of anything from small things like public speaking or crossing a bridge to more serious conditions such as panic attacks or PTSD. This type of therapy aims to teach people how to cope with situations that cause fear and anxiety and ultimately develop more effective tools for managing unpleasant feelings so they can lead healthier lives. Exposure therapy begins with the therapist assessing the individual’s fear levels, followed by developing a plan of action. Initial steps may include looking at pictures or videos and eventually engaging in role-playing activities that gradually help the person confront their fears head-on. This type of therapy has become increasingly popular as research suggests it can provide strong relief from anxious symptoms and lead to lasting change that benefits individuals long-term.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is types of trauma therapy that helps people struggling to manage their emotions in challenging situations. It uses techniques such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to give people better control of their emotional reactions. This powerful approach helps individuals identify and reshape thoughts and feelings that can block them from experiencing positive outcomes. DBT is an excellent resource for those seeking to reduce the prevalence of self-destructive behaviours associated with various types of trauma and to access healthier coping strategies, even in highly challenging scenarios.
Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET)
Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET) is an innovative type of trauma therapy that focuses on re-establishing a sense of bodily control and awareness. It focuses on tracking the body’s sensations connected to the traumatic event by identifying and reprocessing stored energy in the nervous systems through gentle exposure. This method has been utilized particularly for those who have experienced acute or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). During SET sessions, practitioners interact with their patients utilizing techniques such as titrating, resourcing, pendulation, and mobilization to assist in unveiling where the internal blockages exist. Resourcing tools include mentally revisiting places or experiences that help the patient reconnect to feelings of safety and control. Each session enables the patient to develop positive coping mechanisms to cope with symptoms associated with past traumatic events. As a result, this method allows individuals to navigate complex trauma-related emotions – helping them regain physical and psychological control of their lives.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one type of trauma therapy used to decrease a traumatic memory’s emotional and physical effects. It involves recalling and focusing on the memory while the clinician directs rapid eye movements, sounds, or tactile stimuli. It helps move the traumatic memory from short-term working memory to more secure long-term storage in the brain. As this happens, a person can begin to work through the emotion associated with the memory and come to terms with it. EMDR has been proven effective for many types of trauma, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias and depression. It can help people manage distress while entering challenging situations that may have previously brought trauma up in flashbacks or intrusive thoughts. The goal of EMDR is to help people reprocess memories so they are no longer painful and can become resources that serve their emotional needs rather than cause distress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the many types of trauma therapy utilized to help those who suffer from mental health issues. This type of therapy focuses on helping people accept what they cannot change while encouraging them to take action on what they can. Through speaking exercises and conversations, ACT practitioners aim to guide their patients into a shared understanding of how certain thoughts and actions can cause suffering, helping them build the skills necessary to handle difficult situations positively. By learning acceptance and committing to taking concrete steps to service their values, individuals using ACT therapy become better equipped to regulate emotions, manage stress, develop behaviours that promote well-being, and break free from the cycle of unhealthy rumination.
Conclusion
Cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, somatic experiencing therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and acceptance and commitment therapy are all effective methods of helping individuals break thought patterns associated with old habits and work through uncomfortable emotions. Each approach offers unique strategies to overcome challenges while better understanding oneself. If you’re ready to begin your journey towards self-improvement or simply want more information about these techniques and others like them, please get in touch with us – we are happy to provide more information. No matter what kind of help you’re looking for to bring about the changes you desire in your life, there is always someone willing to reach out a hand. No challenge is too great – reach out today so we can work together towards a brighter tomorrow.
