WHAT IS TRAUMA THERAPY?

Trauma therapy is a type of mental health treatment designed to help individuals recover from the psychological effects of trauma. 

What are common types of trauma?

Trauma can result from various distressing events, such as family breakup as a young person that impacts into adulthood, bullying in childhood that impacts into adulthood, accidents, narcissistic abuse, violent incidents, loss of a loved one, adjusting to a long term health condition, burnout or medical trauma.  

You may recognise some of these common symptoms that are representative of trauma:

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How does Trauma Therapy work?

Assessment and Diagnosis

Evaluating the nature and impact of trauma, identifying PTSD and related conditions.

Creating a Safe Environment

Establishing trust and ensuring clients feel safe and supported during sessions.

Trauma therapy aims to process and integrate traumatic experiences, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and improve overall functioning and well-being. Here are the key elements explained.

Psychoeducation and Stabilisation

Educating clients about trauma, teaching coping skills for anxiety and distress.

Trauma Processing

Using techniques like EMDR and CBT to process and integrate traumatic memories.

Cognitive  Restructuring

Challenging distorted beliefs, encouraging healthier thinking, and managing emotions.

Building Resilience 

Developing personal resilience, integrating trauma into life narratives, and setting future goals.

How does Trauma Therapy work?

Trauma therapy aims to process and integrate traumatic experiences, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and improve overall functioning and well-being. Here are the key elements explained.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Evaluating the nature and impact of trauma, identifying PTSD and related conditions.

Creating a Safe Environment

Establishing trust and ensuring clients feel safe and supported during sessions.

Psychoeducation and Stabilisation

Educating clients about trauma, teaching coping skills for anxiety and distress.

Trauma Processing

Using techniques like EMDR and CPT to process and integrate traumatic memories.

Cognitive  Restructuring

Challenging distorted beliefs, encouraging healthier thinking, and managing emotions.

Building Resilience 

Developing personal resilience, integrating trauma into life narratives, and setting future goals.

The positive effects

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Reducing trauma-related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD).

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Enhancing emotional regulation and coping skills.

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Improving relationships and social functioning.

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Increasing self-esteem and self-worth.

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Promoting post-traumatic growth and resilience.

Tanya Weston sat in a rock in front of lake | Blended approach to trauma therapy

The blended approach to Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy is tailored to each individual's needs, and the duration and specific techniques used can vary based on the nature and severity of the trauma and the person's unique response to it.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses bilateral stimulation to process and integrate traumatic memories.
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Involves repeated, detailed imagining or recounting of the traumatic event to reduce its emotional impact.
  • Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on the body’s sensations and aims to release physical tension associated with trauma.
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS): Explores and heals different "parts" of the self that have been affected by trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

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