Trauma is a universal problem; over 50% of people have experienced at least one traumatic event. Each person’s trauma is unique and creates its own set of emotional, physical, and psychological responses, which is why it is important to have choices in the therapy that will work best for the individual. Trauma-focused therapy aims to set new goals and develop new skills to manage the trauma healthily.
Therefore, it is essential to have various treatment options when dealing with trauma. This is because the approach to treatment should not be one size fits all.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy can help individuals process the traumatic event and their emotions while in a safe environment. It also allows someone to learn coping skills to process what has happened.
Additionally, it can help people learn core beliefs to deal with their emotions. It is essential for one to have their feelings validated. It is also crucial that the therapist offer acceptance and understanding in order for the individual to begin healing.
The Four Main Types of Trauma-Focused Therapy Include:
#1. Prolonged exposure
#2. Cognitive processing therapy
#3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
#4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
The front-line treatments for trauma are prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy because they both have the most research backing up their effectiveness.
Additional techniques for trauma-focused therapy include:
- Written narrative exposure
- Brief eclectic psychotherapy
- Narrative exposure therapy
- Medication therapy
Stronger Commitment to Therapy
Treatment can improve quality of life, health, emotions, and relationships. Therefore it is imperative that the individual is involved in treatment planning and that they have a strong commitment to complete the treatment plan. Therefore, having access to multiple options will help the individual find the treatment(s) that work for them. When they find something that works, they will be more motivated to keep going.
Traumatized individuals can develop unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with dangerous or unsafe environments that they are unable to avoid. At The Guest House, we understand the challenges of managing trauma. We support trauma-focused therapy because it helps patients understand their trauma and gives them the tools to manage their symptoms. We also believe that treatment is not one size fits all, which is why we utilize additional conventional and holistic practices to ensure each individual is getting the care they need. For more information on how you can get started with trauma treatment, call us today at (855) 483-7800.