Processing trauma is never easy. It can take years for people to identify their traumas and even longer for them to face them and begin the process of healing. When you have a trauma-specific therapist you can trust, individual therapy can be one of the most effective ways to process trauma.
Long-Lasting Effects of Trauma
Trauma can have long-lasting effects. Underlying trauma can often lead to dangerous behaviors like addiction and lasting mental health concerns. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “exposure to abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence, and other adverse experiences” can “increase a person’s lifelong potential for serious health problems and engaging in health-risk behaviors.”
Many people who struggle with mental health or addiction concerns may not even realize that underlying trauma could be the cause. Processing trauma in individual therapy can help you get to the root of your conditions. This will allow you to begin the process of healing.
The Need for Trauma-Specific Care
Processing trauma in therapy requires a lot of care, dedication, patience, and compassion. It’s more important than ever to have trauma-specific healthcare providers who recognize trauma’s impact.
SAMHSA notes that trauma-specific care “acknowledges the need to understand a patient’s life experiences in order to deliver effective care.” When therapists and other clinicians are trained to recognize trauma, this can greatly improve an individual’s chances of finding success through treatment.
Processing Trauma in Individual Therapy
According to SAMHSA’s Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 57, therapists must be vigilant in recognizing the prevalence of trauma and its possible role in their clients’ “emotional, behavioral, cognitive, spiritual, and/or physical development and presentation.”
Recognizing the Effects of Trauma
It’s also important for therapists to recognize that self-defeating behaviors are often the result of trauma. A good trauma-specific therapist will not make you feel bad or look down on you. They will understand that certain behaviors and emotions arose as a way to survive trauma’s harsh effects.
SAMHSA’s TIP 57 mentions that “trauma cannot be viewed narrowly; instead, it needs to be seen through a broader lens.” This means there are multiple environmental factors that can contribute to a person’s trauma, as well as their way of coping with it.
Everyone’s Trauma Is Their Own
Trauma treatment is never a “one-size-fits-all” solution. There are many factors to be considered when in treatment because every person’s trauma is completely unique to them. Quality trauma-specific care should look at the individual and their personal history. Developmental factors, a person’s home environment, type of trauma, length of exposure, and a number of other characteristics should always be taken into consideration.
Minimizing Risk of Re-Traumatization
One of the most important roles of a therapist is to minimize the risk of re-traumatization. Trauma healing can be both a difficult and delicate journey. Choosing a quality trauma-specific therapist is key to helping you do this extremely deep work. According to SAMHSA’s TIP 57, a trauma-specific therapy approach begins with “taking practical steps to re-examine treatment strategies, program procedures, and organizational policies that could solicit distress or mirror common characteristics of traumatic experiences.”
Trauma-Trained Therapists
The last thing you would want in therapy is to re-visit feelings of being trapped, feeling out of control, and disempowerment, among many others. Trauma-trained therapists, like those at The Guest House, must ensure that their work includes compassion, patience, and understanding.
Therapists should never talk down to you, make you feel powerless, or suggest that your trauma means there is something wrong with you. When you are processing trauma in therapy, your therapist should make you feel comfortable and safe.
Processing Trauma at The Guest House
At The Guest House, we understand that self-defeating behaviors, addiction, and mental health issues often come along with underlying traumatic experiences. When you can get to the root and heal the trauma, it becomes a lot easier to find lasting sobriety and happiness in your life.
Our certified trauma therapists are highly trained to help you process your trauma in safe, effective ways. No two people are alike, and neither are their traumas. At The Guest House, you will find completely individualized care that will always take your unique needs into account.
What to Expect in Individual Therapy Sessions
Individual therapy at The Guest House can help you lift the weight of trauma off your shoulders and find the strength to heal. We believe in the healing power of words, and our one-on-one therapy sessions will give you a safe space to process trauma as you explore a deeper connection with yourself and learn more about your behaviors.
We understand that it’s not easy to talk about your trauma. In individual therapy, you won’t be forced to talk about anything, and you certainly will never be shamed or judged. Instead, you can feel confident and comfortable in opening up at a pace that suits you best. Sometimes, it’s the smallest steps that can bring about the greatest results.
Each therapist is also carefully selected with an expertise that matches your background. You will be able to talk about what brought you to The Guest House with someone who truly understands.
Processing Trauma for Long-Term Healing
Individual therapy is one of our core therapeutic modalities at The Guest House. However, we are proud to offer a wide variety of holistic, experiential therapies as well as powerful group sessions to support your healing journey.
At The Guest House, we believe that trauma can often live as energy in the body. Mind-body healing modalities like somatic therapy, meditation, and conscious connected breathwork can all help you release trauma from your body and form a deeper connection with yourself.
We also offer a number of other cutting-edge therapies and healing modalities that will help you heal trauma and find long-term health, happiness, and success. At The Guest House, you can be sure to find a plan of treatment that works best for you.
Processing trauma is rarely easy. It can be extremely difficult to talk about traumatic experiences, especially when you don’t fully trust your therapist or other clinicians. At The Guest House, our trauma-trained therapists are certified and deeply understand the delicate nature of processing trauma. Therapists here are carefully selected to match your background so you can feel a greater sense of safety and comfort with someone who specializes in your unique experiences. Our individual therapy will give you a safe space to process trauma where you will never be shamed or judged. We also offer a wide variety of experiential holistic care. Give us a call today at (855) 483-7800.