Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Glimpse of Trauma Treatment


Trauma is a part of life. And, so is recovery. The aftermath of having gone through deeply distressing events, whether or not Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been diagnosed, doesn't have to last forever. I will repeat, it gets better. The nightmares, flashbacks, unwanted thoughts, hyper vigilance, and other symptoms characteristic of a post traumatic condition are treatable.

Many so-called evidence-based strategies exist that have been proven to be effective in helping us heal from trauma. One such approach, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has an effectiveness rate of eighty percent. Additional approaches with equally promising track records are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Seeking Safety. A trauma treatment counselor such s myself can tailor these and other approaches to meet your specific needs.

You are always in the driver's seat of your treatment. Restoring a sense of power and trust is key. So, your counselor will be careful work along with you, helping you to go at your own pace, like an an ally or a trusted guide.

Let's take a glimpse at what a trauma treatment session can look like...
  • Examining the harmful thoughts commonly associated with trauma and replacing them with more beneficial ones.
  • Learning to ground and center yourself so you can calm down in times of stress.
  • Retelling what you've been through in a way that feels safe to you so it loses its charge.
  • Identifying when it would be helpful to reach out to others and how.
  • Exploring what feels good to you and how you want to rebuild your life after trauma.
  • Getting guidance on additional medical and/or holistic support you might want or need.
  • Using EMDR to desensitize traumatic memories.
  • Creating art or utilizing other forms of self-expression to process disturbing events.
  • Understanding your worst symptoms and how you can best cope with each.
The ways in which we can find relief from psychological trauma are endless. Together, we can rebuild a sense of trust and safety, make sense of what you've been through, and create a life that you desire. Post traumatic growth and resilience are real and yours to be claimed. The support of a skilled counselor can help. 

I hope this post provided some inspiration and welcome requests for other topics folks would like to see more of on here. No topic need be taboo or mysterious. Let's clear it up with down-to-earth practical information sharing.