Trauma is our psychological and emotional response to a profoundly distressing event or experience, such as when you lose a loved one or have a serious accident. It also encompasses extreme experiences that are mentally damaging, such as combat experience and impacts of substance abuse. Knowing how damaging trauma is, let’s find ways to overcome it by explaining what trauma therapy is and how it helps.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is a mental health treatment in which counselors or therapists help you overcome your psychological trauma. It is not a specific treatment as it uses various therapies to help you deal with traumatic experiences. You can discover what trauma therapy is for your situation more by talking with a counselor about your situation.
No trauma therapy fits all patients. Everyone has different symptoms, even if they have the same type of trauma. This characteristic means the treatment must be adapted to meet the different needs of patients. Don’t worry because mental health and addiction therapists assess the needs of every patient. They make sure to plan a treatment tailored to your unique experiences.
Right now, there are several modes of treatment used in trauma therapy. The three most common include those below.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the counselor teaches you to be more aware of your thoughts and beliefs regarding your trauma. The therapist also helps you develop skills to have healthier, positive thoughts.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
A type of CBT, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) concentrates on altering your thoughts and beliefs. The goal of this therapy is to bring about changes in your negative behaviors. It teaches you new skills and coping mechanisms for overcoming your trauma through mood regulation.
Motivational Interviewing
Through discussion with your therapist, motivational interviewing looks to create a process that will result in the desired changes to your behaviors and attitude.
Expressive Therapy
A more holistic approach, expressive therapy stresses skills to help patients communicate more effectively. Artistic formats, such as creating visual art or music are used to provide a creative outlet for patients.
Most treatment methods focus on the memory portion, which is the unconscious brain. However, recent studies show that treatment is also essential to the conscious brain.
What Are the Goals of Trauma Therapy?
Before going through therapy, you must know what you can obtain from it, your goals, and how you want your life to be after the treatment. When you decide to undergo trauma therapy, ask yourself what you want to happen. Do you only want someone to listen to your story? Do you want to be at peace with yourself?
Your purpose can be whatever you want, but the most important goals of trauma therapy include:
- To eliminate or reduce your trauma symptoms
- To help you face the reality of your past
- To reclaim your control and power over your life
- To shift your focus to the present and future instead of the past
- To overcome addiction and other issues related to traumatic stress
Your goals may be based on the problems you encountered due to your trauma. But whatever it is, make sure to discuss them with your therapist early on to ensure that you will achieve them through trauma therapy. Midwest Recovery Center is a great place to start looking for a counselor who may help you overcome your trauma.
Healing from Trauma
Trauma therapy is a treatment that helps you learn how to feel safe again. With the assistance of a mental health professional, you can leave your stressing experiences behind.
To learn more about trauma therapy, contact Midwest Recovery Center today by calling 833.627.0039.
