Trauma Therapy
Men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds can struggle following one or more traumatic life events. People respond to unexpected or prolonged trauma in different ways. While some are able to overcome the trauma, others relive the same memories over the course of weeks, months, or even years. This can take a severe toll and result in deep pain and discouragement.
If left untreated, the symptoms may develop into Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can occur as a result of unexpected and extreme stress incidents, such as natural disasters, being the victim of a violent crime, or the sudden death of a loved one. Chronic stress over a long period of time, such as physical or sexual abuse, military combat, or dysfunctional relationships from childhood can also be traumatizing enough to result in PTSD. The good news is that there are multiple ways to address the negative effects of trauma and go on to live a fulfilling and abundant life with trauma therapy.
Our counselors are trained in helping individuals develop skills for coping with a trauma. We understand that dealing with the past is scary and the cycle of avoidance keeps you from talking to others about your experiences. But talking about your struggles with therapists trained in trauma recovery will help you overcome the avoidance and move toward a more rewarding life.
The most important part of therapy is working with a professional you trust in an environment that feels safe. We want to prevent you from feeling re-traumatized, so our counselors never force you to go further than you can handle.
There are several approaches to the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and each may be helpful at different stages of the treatment process.
Some of the Approaches We Take With Trauma Therapy:
Each therapist at BATT has been trained in multiple ways to address trauma. Each client at BATT receives a unique treatment plan that combines multiple approaches and is tailored to their specific needs. However, some of the common approaches to trauma therapy include the following:
Relaxation and Mindfulness Training
Relaxation and mindfulness training helps to deal with negative emotions and live in the present.
Internal Family Systems Therapy
While each therapist at BATT takes their own approach to treatment of trauma, we all understand that IFS Therapy is a cutting edge approach that can provide much comfort and alleviate pain. Obtaining IFS certification takes a very long time, but several of our therapists are pursuing this certification in order to have all the very best treatment options at their disposal.
Exposure Therapy
Many mental health professionals believe that Exposure Therapy helps clients to cope with their emotions by repeatedly processing traumatic events over and over again. At BATT, we have found that this approach often makes the felt sense of trauma worse. Therefore, our therapists rarely – if ever – include Exposure Therapy in treatment plans.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) uses eye movements, hand taps, and sounds to help you reprocess painful memories so that the negative trauma symptoms no longer occur when the memories come to mind.
Medication
Certain medications can help with the traumatic symptoms and our psychologists can make appropriate referrals to psychiatrists and other MDs as needed.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps to change negative thoughts associated with the trauma and find more positive and less distressing perspectives of what happened.
Family Therapy
Family therapy helps your loved one to understand why you are under so much stress and deal with how the PTSD has affected them.
If you are ready to begin the journey of working through your traumas, contact us today to set up an appointment with a specialist!
Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.
Freedom from Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association who seek to impact the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and related disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on mind, brain, and behavior.
Trauma Therapy Articles
The Importance of Seeking Help Quickly After a Traumatic Event
Experiencing a traumatic event can be life-altering. Whether it’s due to the sudden loss of a loved one, an accident, a natural disaster, or any
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, anxiety, and other psychological conditions.
Just what is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic approach that has literally revolutionized the treatment of trauma.