Healing trauma is a complex process that can include a wide variety of therapies and tools. While many traditional and clinical therapies can help one overcome trauma, these aren’t always effective alone. As you navigate your trauma recovery, it’s helpful to explore non-clinical methods as well.
Healing Trauma
Trauma is a widespread issue that knows no bounds when it comes to a person’s age, gender, economic, or socioeconomic background.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), trauma can occur as a result of “violence, abuse, neglect, loss, disaster, war, and other emotionally harmful experiences.” Also, trauma is almost universal among those who experience mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUDs).
Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Therapies
Traditional methods to heal trauma include psychotherapies, behavioral therapies, and medication. While these methods are known to be effective for many people, not everyone is suited to them. If you’re one of those people, you may be left with many of your issues after undergoing those therapies.
Often, traditional therapies work best when they’re used in conjunction with holistic and alternative methods. Employing various modalities to treat trauma allows you to heal in a more comprehensive way.
Healing Trauma: Five Alternative Methods
Non-clinical ways to heal trauma are numerous and vast. You can begin exploring these therapies by learning more about the five different methods below.
#1. Somatic Experiencing
While most traditional means to heal trauma focus on the mind, it’s also important to heal through the body as well. Somatic experiencing (SE) is one such body-focused technique that can help you process trauma stored as energy in your body.
According to a 2021 study in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, SE is “a body-oriented therapeutic approach” that aims to modify the “trauma-related stress response.”
When you experience trauma, your body can store it as a memory. This can lead to a prolonged stress response that’s not resolved. SE can help you release these stored trauma memories through light body movements and the identification of inner bodily sensations and emotions.
#2. Meditation and Mindfulness
Eastern spiritual practices like meditation and mindfulness are renowned throughout the world for their benefits. For healing trauma, these practices help you take your focus out of the past or even the future. Instead, they help you pay attention to the present moment as it’s unfolding.
Mindfulness is simply defined as focusing fully on the moment at hand. You can do anything mindfully, like brushing your teeth, reading a book, or even walking down the street.
Meditation is also known as a mindful practice because it helps you stay focused on your breath, an object, or a sound. Through meditation, you can also quietly observe your thoughts and the present moment as it unfolds without judgment. This is the practice of simply being. Through dwelling in the present moment, many past emotions and thoughts can be released. Your life then begins to feel more peaceful and you find more contentment in all of your moments.
#3. Journaling
One of the lesser-researched ways to heal trauma is also one of the most powerful. Journaling as a therapeutic practice has many benefits. It can help you stay mindful in the present moment and help you process your thoughts and feelings as they come up.
When healing trauma, it’s important to feel through painful thoughts or emotions while also being careful not to experience difficult retraumatization. Journaling can be a gentle way of observing your thoughts or writing down your fears without judgment. When you get these things out of your head and onto paper, that process can also help you regain a sense of control.
#4. Inner Child Work
A great deal of traumatic experiences tend to happen during childhood. In order to begin overcoming these experiences, you may need to revisit these years and form a stronger connection with your inner child.
Some ideas for inner child work can include practices like meditation and visualization. You can visualize your inner child to start forming a bond with him or her. Sometimes it’s also helpful to ask your inner child what it may need or need to hear in order to release lingering traumas and wounds.
Other times you may simply find it helpful to make your inner child smile each day. A great way to connect with your childhood self is to play, enjoy life, and treat yourself to something that will make you happy. Remember to approach inner child work in a gentle way. Healing trauma takes time and patience; it’s best to take it one day at a time.
#5. Breathwork
Another excellent body-oriented practice is breathwork. This technique, which has Eastern roots, is known to help get you out of your mind and back into your body. Breathwork encompasses a variety of controlled and repetitive breathing techniques that are usually done in a set time frame.
Utilizing the breath also has a multitude of health benefits. According to Cell Reports Medicine, breathwork produces “greater improvement in mood and reduction in respiratory rate.” It has also been found to result in reduced stress and anxiety.
If you are healing from trauma, breathwork can help you move through heightened states of anxiety more efficiently. Breathwork can also help you regain focus and become more alert.
Healing Trauma at The Guest House
We understand trauma and its lasting effects here at The Guest House. Our trauma-specific program consists of a wide range of traditional and holistic therapies that allow you to find the methods that work best for you.
At The Guest House, our highly-trained staff deeply understands trauma. We also offer an array of non-traditional methods to heal trauma. Here you will find modalities like conscious connected breathwork, meditation, yoga, and more. At The Guest House, you will find everything you need to overcome trauma, rediscover inner peace, and find happiness that lasts.
Although traditional methods have long been the norm for healing trauma, many holistic and alternative modalities have gained popularity in recent years. These therapies can be just as effective and sometimes help individuals heal in a more comprehensive way. At The Guest House, we specialize in healing trauma. Our cutting-edge program combines traditional modalities like talk therapy with holistic practices like meditation and conscious connected breathwork. We understand that no two traumas are the same. This is why we believe that everyone should be able to explore various modalities to find what works best for them. Our program will help you not only heal your mind but also release trauma from your body. Call us at (855) 483-7800.