Trauma Therapy

Navigating the aftermath of trauma can feel like being lost in a dense forest, unsure of which path leads out. This is where a trauma therapist steps in.

A good trauma therapist should provide you with support so healing becomes less daunting. They’re not just there to walk beside you; they empower you to reclaim your strength and map out a new course for your life. So whether you’re dealing with the shadows of past events or the immediate shock of recent ones, a trauma therapist like me is the key to turning survival into thriving.

Professional Treatment For Trauma & PTSD

Trauma can happen to anyone at any time in their lives. When someone seeks professional treatment for trauma, they may receive a Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) diagnosis depending on the symptoms they’re experiencing. Not all trauma qualifies technically for a formal PTSD diagnosis. That is not meant to negate the experience you’re having, it’s merely a measure of the impact of your symptoms and experience.

Trauma therapists can see and treat both “little T” and “big T” traumas. And all qualify for support. Little T traumas may be a breakup, job loss or deep disappointment in your life that is having an impact on your wellbeing and happiness. Big T’s are often more intense traumas that have affected your life in powerful ways. Both kinds of trauma can affect your ability to perform at work or in your relationships as you once did and both are good to explore in therapy and can be helped.

Professional treatment for trauma and PTSD is essential for navigating the path to recovery. This journey often involves a combination of therapies tailored to the individual’s needs, incorporating approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy ART among others.

These treatments aim to process and integrate traumatic memories, reduce symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Medication may also be prescribed to manage specific symptoms like anxiety or depression. With the guidance of skilled professionals, individuals can work through their trauma, reclaim their sense of self, and embark on a new chapter of their lives. The process requires courage and commitment, but the outcome—a life not defined by trauma—is well worth the effort.

How Do I Know If I Need Trauma Therapy?

Recognizing the need for trauma therapy often starts with observing changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that impact your daily life after a challenging experience. Here are some signs that might indicate it’s time to seek professional support:

• Persistent Reliving of the Event: If you find yourself frequently haunted by flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts related to the trauma, it might be time to seek help.
• Avoidance: You might avoid places, people, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event, which can destroy your happy life and experiences.
• Changes in Mood and Thought Patterns: Experiencing persistent negative thoughts about yourself or the world, feeling hopeless, or experiencing mood swings could signal a need for therapy.
• Heightened Arousal and Reactivity: If you’re easily startled, feeling on edge, or experiencing anger outbursts, these could be symptoms of PTSD.
• Difficulty Functioning: When symptoms of trauma interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships, or carry out daily activities, it’s important to consider seeking help.
• Physical Symptoms: Trauma can also manifest physically, through symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, or chronic pain without a clear medical cause.
• Self Destructive Behavior: Turning to substance abuse, self harm, or other risky behaviors as a way to cope can be a sign that therapy is needed.

If you recognize these signs in yourself, reaching out to a healthcare provider or a trauma therapist can be the first step towards healing. Seeking help is a sign of strength and the first step in regaining control over your life.

Symptoms Of Trauma

Symptoms of trauma can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Here’s a breakdown:

Recognizing these symptoms can be the first step toward seeking help and beginning the healing process. It’s important to note that experiences of trauma are highly individual, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

Symptoms of PTSD can significantly impair an individual’s daily functioning and quality of life. It’s important for anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek professional help. Treatment can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, tailored to the individual’s needs to help manage symptoms and improve well-being.

How Do I Start Trauma Therapy?

Starting trauma therapy involves a few thoughtful steps to ensure you find the right support and approach for your needs:

1. Research Therapists: Look for therapists who specialize in trauma and PTSD. As a therapist in Texas, I can help you in person or via teletherapy. Please reach out for a consultation to discuss your challenges when you’re ready.
2. Consider the Type of Therapy: Decide if you prefer individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination of both. 
3. Check Credentials: Ensure the therapist is licensed and has relevant experience and training in treating trauma.
4. Make Contact: Reach out to potential therapists to inquire about their availability and therapy approach. 
5. Prepare for Your First Session: Consider writing down what you hope to achieve in therapy and any specific experiences you want to address. 
6. Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that healing from trauma is a process that takes time.
7. Self Care: Engaging in self care practices during therapy is crucial. 

Taking the step to start trauma therapy is a significant act of courage and self care. It’s the beginning of a journey towards healing and reclaiming your life from the impact of trauma.

How Does A Therapist Heal Trauma?

A therapist heals trauma by guiding individuals through a process that helps them safely confront and process traumatic memories, understand their impact, and develop strategies to cope with the emotional and psychological fallout.

This process varies depending on the therapeutic approach, but it typically involves building a trusting therapist-client relationship, creating a safe space for the individual to explore their trauma, and using specific techniques to help them process and integrate their experiences in a healthy way.

One effective method for treating trauma is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). ART is a relatively new, evidence-based form of therapy that combines principles from several traditional therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). It is designed to help individuals rapidly process traumatic memories and reduce the distressing emotions associated with them.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

If you’re finding it difficult to move past a trauma, especially with PTSD, there is hope with Accelerated Resolution Therapy! ART is a type of psychotherapy that encourages rapid recovery by reprogramming how your brain stores traumatic memories and imagery.

The core of ART involves the use of directed eye movements, similar to those used in EMDR. The therapist guides the client in moving their eyes back and forth while recalling the disturbing event. This process is believed to facilitate the brain’s natural ability to process and integrate traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity.

Unlike other forms of therapy, ART focuses on changing the way the memory is stored in the brain, which can decrease and even eliminate the distressing physical and emotional reactions to the memory.

In addition to eye movements, ART incorporates techniques like imagery rescripting, where clients are encouraged to alter the outcome of the traumatic memory into a more positive or empowering one. This not only helps in reducing the distress associated with the memory but also enhances the individual’s sense of control and resilience.

ART is typically a short term therapy, with many clients experiencing significant improvement in as few as one to five sessions. It’s used for a range of issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. By swiftly addressing and processing a traumatic experience, ART can alleviate the symptoms of trauma, helping individuals to move forward with a greater sense of peace and wellbeing.

Overall, the journey to heal trauma involves confronting painful memories, understanding their impact, and learning to integrate these experiences into one’s life in a way that fosters growth and healing. Therapies like ART offer promising avenues for individuals to overcome the debilitating effects of trauma and reclaim their lives.

Common Issues Accelerated Resolution Therapy Can Help

Several studies show that in just a few sessions, ART can significantly reduce the symptoms of trauma related issues. Accelerated Resolution Therapy can help reduce the experience of cognitive, physical, or emotional distress brought on by unresolved trauma. ART can be used to treat a variety of presenting issues, including the following:

• Combat related post traumatic stress
• Post traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Substance abuse
• Panic attacks
• Grief and loss
• Sleep issues
• Developmental trauma

Who Benefits from Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

ART can be used to treat a variety of presenting issues, including the people who experience cognitive, emotional, or physical distress:

• Abuse or trauma survivors, including sexual, physical, and emotional
• Active and veteran military service members
• Witnessing or participating in a war
• Seeing a loved one die suddenly
• Surviving an accident or fire
• Natural disaster victims
• Crime victims
• War refugees

What Does Accelerated Resolution Therapy Look Like?

Treatment with ART is usually between 2 and 5 sessions depending on the severity and complexity of my client’s concerns.

An initial intake session will occur, which lasts around 45 minutes. I will gather information and gain an understanding of what you would like to work through and the symptoms associated with your problem. 

From there, the ART protocol is used during follow-up 60 to 90 minute sessions. You will be in control of the entire ART session, the back and forth eye movements, and the memories and images you voluntarily select to replace.

Although some traumatic experiences can be very painful to think about or visualize, I will rapidly move you beyond the place where you are stuck in these experiences toward growth and positive changes. It is important to note that you do not have to talk about your traumas or difficult life experiences with me to achieve recovery/improvement during this phase of treatment.

Follow up appointments are typical and provide the opportunity to note what changes have occurred and if any additional areas need to be processed using ART.

Trauma Therapy FAQs

Additional ART References