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Trauma therapy is an approach to psychological treatment used to help people who have experienced some kind of traumatic event that has had a significant impact on their life and well-being. It can be used to help people process their experiences and alter the emotional, physical, and behavioral effects of trauma.
- Trauma therapy provides a safe and trusting environment for people to process traumatic events and learn how to develop positive coping strategies.
- Trauma therapy can be a helpful intervention in addiction treatment, as substance use is a common occurrence following trauma.
- People can access trauma therapy by getting in touch with a local mental health team or specialist, who may be able to make referrals or suggestions about appropriate therapists.
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy, also referred to as trauma-informed therapy or trauma-focused therapy, is an approach to therapeutic treatment that involves understanding and addressing psychological and physical symptoms that occur as a result of traumatic experiences. Trauma can be related to a wide range of experiences or events and can impact people in different ways. [1]
For example, trauma might be related to:
- A single traumatic experience, such as a car accident or natural disaster
- Repeated and prolonged trauma, such as childhood sexual abuse
- Complex trauma caused by multiple different traumatic experiences
- Vicarious trauma, which is caused by witnessing or being exposed to another person’s traumatic experience
After experiencing a traumatic event, some people struggle to process what has happened and experience characteristic symptoms, such as fear, anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, agoraphobia, or distrust of others. These effects can significantly impact daily functioning and life quality. [2]Â
Trauma therapy focuses on the individual’s experiences and on their physical and psychological response to trauma. It addresses the root cause of this distress and how these events have led to changes in mood, behavior, and interactions with others or surroundings. [1]
In trauma therapy, people will be provided a safe and trusting environment to process their trauma and heal from its impact. They will be guided in developing new coping skills and mechanisms to manage the symptoms or triggers associated with their trauma. [3]
Trauma is related to several types of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and dissociative disorders. In some cases, it is also linked to substance use disorders. People whose substance abuse stems from or is associated with traumatic experiences can benefit from trauma therapy and learn to utilize new strategies to manage their distress. [1][4]
Benefits of trauma therapy
Benefits of trauma therapy include: [1][2][3]
- Learning how to regulate emotions
- Creating positive coping strategies
- Adapting harmful behaviors and thought processes
- Improving physical well-being
- Reducing fear and anxiety symptoms
- Reducing avoidance and improving social skills and abilities
- Improving interpersonal relationships and trust
- Providing a safe space to explore and process traumatic events
- Understanding the physical and psychological impacts of trauma
Types of trauma therapy
Several types of trauma-informed therapy are available that utilize a range of techniques and target different trauma and symptoms.
Prolonged exposureÂ
Prolonged exposure (PE) is based on the idea that trauma has not been processed at the time of occurrence and is represented in the mind as a memory of fear. PE helps to adjust this by activating the fear response and providing new information to replace this response.
People are repeatedly exposed to circumstances, people, thoughts, or memories that have been avoided due to fear, incorporating new positive information until the distress associated with the event decreases. [1][2]
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is based on the idea that traumatic experiences cause maladaptive thought and behavior patterns that prevent the individual from overcoming or processing their trauma.
TF-CBT uses both cognitive and behavioral techniques to identify triggers, recognize and alter harmful thoughts and emotions, and reduce maladaptive behaviors, such as substance use, self-harm, or avoidance. [1][2]
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is based on the idea that trauma has led to the individual creating a distorted view of themselves, others, and the world, such as blaming themselves for the trauma they experienced.
CPT helps people reframe these cognitions by recognizing and challenging them, plus learning the necessary skills to create new beliefs. [2]
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) helps individuals process memories of trauma that trigger emotional distress. It involves the individual focusing on the specific memory while utilizing eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. During this, the emotions associated with the traumatic event decrease until the memory no longer causes distress. [5]
Narrative exposure therapy
Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is often provided in group settings, although it can be utilized individually, and NET can be particularly useful for those who have experienced political, cultural, or social types of trauma.
NET helps to contextualize trauma by allowing the individual to describe their chronological life narrative, which details traumatic occurrences alongside positive experiences. This helps the individual integrate and understand their experiences and emotional responses within an identity that is not solely defined by trauma. [6]
Techniques used in trauma-informed therapy
Trauma therapy utilizes a range of techniques to help process and overcome the effects of trauma, including: [1][2][3]
- Cognitive restructuring: Trauma can impact the way an individual thinks about themselves, others, and the world, so it is common for trauma therapy to focus on altering these thoughts and creating more positive cognitions.
- Exposure: Trauma can lead to avoidance or an inability to process or accept what has happened. Different types of exposure can be used, such as virtual, in vivo, and imaginary exposure, to help the individual gradually become accustomed to the memory of their experience, reducing the associated distress.
- Mindfulness and relaxation: Various techniques can be used to help treat physical and psychological symptoms of trauma and stress, including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. [7]
- Exploring emotions: Within various types of trauma therapy, emotional responses to traumatic events will be explored. Techniques can be used to help people recognize and regulate emotions and learn different coping strategies.
- Psychoeducation: Psychoeducation in trauma therapy can involve learning about different types of stress reactions, recognizing and managing triggers, and how to cope with distress.
Who is trauma-informed therapy for?
While trauma therapy can be a beneficial intervention for many people, it may not always be necessary for those who have experienced trauma. People who might benefit include those who experience significant issues due to distressing life events, such as struggling with daily functioning, engaging in harmful behaviors, or finding difficulty trusting others and maintaining relationships. [1]
It may be particularly helpful for those who have symptoms of PTSD or other trauma-related conditions. This might include people such as war veterans, those who have experienced sexual abuse, or those who have experienced the death of a loved one. [2]
How to start trauma therapy
To start trauma therapy, people can get in touch with their family physician, mental health team, or specialist, who can provide advice and referrals to appropriate services.
At the beginning of therapy, the therapist will explain how sessions will work and what to expect within treatment. They will assess the individual by gathering information about their trauma and other life circumstances, and the therapist will use these insights to inform their therapeutic approach.
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