Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more.
Not everyone who experiences traumatic events will have PTSD but trauma leaves a lasting mark, storing itself in our cells and creating new neural pathways.
What is PTSD/C-PTSD?
- Intrusive thoughts such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are reliving the traumatic experience or seeing it before their eyes.
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
- Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event, negative thoughts and feelings leading to ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”)
- Distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the event leading to wrongly blaming self or other; ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; feeling detached or estranged from others; or being unable to experience positive emotions.
- Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being irritable, anger outbursts, behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being overly watchful of one’s surroundings in a suspecting way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.
C-PTSD is a diagnosis that results from reoccuring or repeated trauma over a long length of time, such as ongoing sexual abuse in childhood, genocide, torture, domestic violence, etc.
How can therapy help heal trauma?
Therapy provides a structured and safe environment for individuals to process their experiences, rebuild their emotional resilience, and regain a sense of control. Here are some key ways therapy helps address trauma:
1. Processing and Understanding the Trauma
Therapy provides a space to talk about the traumatic experience in a way that allows the individual to process their emotions and begin to make sense of what happened.
2. Reducing Symptoms of PTSD
Therapy is particularly effective in helping individuals manage PTSD symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are evidence-based therapies used to process trauma memories. Somatic therapy can help with the processing and regulation of the physical sensations brought on from trauma like: body awareness, breath work, and movement exercises. Narrative Therapy encourages individuals to retell their story, integrating the traumatic experience into a broader life narrative. This approach helps people see themselves as more than the trauma, allows them to reclaim their identity, and helps them find meaning and purpose in their lives after the trauma. These modes of therapy lead to the ultimate goal of emotional regulation.
3. Rebuilding Trust and Healthy Relationships
Trauma, especially interpersonal trauma (e.g., abuse or betrayal), can make it difficult for individuals to trust others or feel safe in relationships. Therapy can help rebuild a sense of trust, both with others and within oneself. Therapists work with clients to gradually regain trust in their surroundings. This can include building healthier boundaries, learning to communicate effectively, and restoring confidence in forming secure, supportive relationships. Therapy helps restore a sense of safety by providing a predictable, supportive space where the individual can explore their emotions and memories at their own pace.
4. Reducing Shame and Self-Blame
Trauma survivors often struggle with feelings of shame or self-blame, particularly if the trauma was caused by another person (e.g., in cases of abuse or assault). Therapy helps individuals process these feelings of guilt or shame by normalizing their reactions and emphasizing that the trauma was not their fault.
By addressing both the psychological and physical effects of trauma, therapy fosters healing and empowers individuals to regain control of their lives and well-being.
