Trauma Therapy: Understanding Trauma, Symptoms, and Treatment
What is trauma?
Trauma happens to us, not always because of us. Trauma definitions can vary from person to person and through different lived experiences. In trauma therapy sessions, I always remind my clients that trauma can be something impactful in your life; You don't need to have experienced combat, severe abuse, or another commonly recognized traumatic event to find yourself struggling after a distressing or overwhelming experience. According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning”. APA further elaborates that traumatic events can be caused by human behavior or nature, often anything that challenges someone’s view of the world as safe and predictable. Car accidents, dog bites, bad trips to the hospital, severe airplane turbulence, childhood abuse, and different forms of assault can be deemed traumatic depending on the person and their perspective. All is worthy of processing and healing. Trauma therapy can help people understand these responses, process difficult experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping and healing.
How do you know if you’re struggling with trauma?
If you are experiencing emotional, physical, or psychological distress and feel this can be related to a traumatic event, never be afraid to seek professional support. These experiences can sometimes be associated with PTSD or other trauma-related difficulties, but only a qualified mental health professional can determine whether you meet criteria for a diagnosis. Here are a few symptoms to look out for if you are unsure if you’re struggling with trauma:
Physical signs: sleep challenges, stomachaches, headaches, racing heart, body aches, changes in eating habits, changes in arousal/reactivity
Emotional signs: hypervigilance, sadness, anxiety/fear, irritability, guilt, shame, emotional numbness, isolation, negative changes in mood/thinking
Psychological signs: unwanted and/or intrusive memories/flashbacks, nightmares, poor concentration, racing thoughts, avoidant behaviors, mistrust in relationships, feeling detached from surroundings
How can you treat your trauma symptoms?
Therapy can be an important part of healing from trauma, but not all approaches to therapy are the same. When looking for support, consider working with a therapist who has specific training and experience in trauma treatment. Several evidence-based therapeutic interventions treat trauma, and knowing which ones you are seeking can help determine the appropriate therapist for you. Here are a few options to consider:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma can have lasting effects, but healing and meaningful recovery are possible. With the right support and treatment, many people experience significant reductions in trauma-related symptoms and can reconnect with their relationships, routines, and sense of safety. Understanding the right treatment modality (or combination of treatment modalities) for you can be the first step. At Golden Psychotherapy, I support my clients by implementing Cognitive Therapy, TF-CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and somatic strategies. I also incorporate PE and DBT techniques as well as Psychodynamic therapy when treating trauma.
Imari Medeiros, LICSW, of Golden Psychotherapy provides virtual trauma therapy for adults and adolescents in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Ohio. Treatment may support individuals experiencing PTSD, traumatic stress, anxiety, and other trauma-related symptoms.
Schedule a free 15 minute consultation call: https://imari-medeiros.clientsecure.me/request
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Trauma.https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Trauma: Common questions.https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/trauma
