Dealing with trauma is challenging and often confusing. When you are hurting, you may not know where to turn or what to do. You should not have to face trauma by yourself. There are many types of therapy that can help you better manage or work through the after-effects of whatever event cause you to struggle. If you’re looking into counseling for trauma, make sure you know all your options. Here the best five types of therapy for trauma that can help you decide which may work best for you.
Trauma Explained
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. The event you experienced may have overwhelmed your ability to cope and left you feeling fearful, helpless, or ashamed. Sometimes trauma is short-term and you may recover within days or weeks. Trauma can also have long-term effects, causing you to have trouble with relationships, addiction, work, and mental health. No matter the situation, trauma is serious and should be treated as such.
How common is PTSD?
PTSD is quite common. Approximately one in every three adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Thankfully, not everyone that experience trauma will develop PTSD, but for those that do, know that you are not alone and there are treatments that can help you.
Types of therapy for trauma
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Trauma Treatment
CBT is a kind of therapy that can help you learn how to better control your emotions and reactions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can assist those who have developed unhealthy patterns of behavior due to traumatic experiences. CBT basically works by taking a look at your thoughts and actions and helping you restructure them in more helpful ways. Trauma treatment with CBT typically involves talking through your situation with a therapist and tackling troublesome situations with new angles.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Trauma
DBT is another type of therapy that can help people deal with traumatic events. This treatment helps you find ways to better control your emotions while also helping you learn to accept your reactions and feelings. DBT essentially uses a mindfulness practice that allows you to focus on yourself in the present moment. You will learn skills to help you manage your emotions, feel comfortable with distress, and improve your relationships.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR therapy is another treatment option that can help you through trauma. During EMDR therapy, your therapist will ask you to think back to the traumatic event while they stimulate your brain. This is done either through side-to-side eye movements, taps on your hand, or auditory tones that alternate back and forth. These scales help your brain process the trauma you experienced in a healthier way.
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Narrative Exposure Therapy is great for individuals who have experienced multiple events that have led to trauma. Instead of talking about your feelings, you will discuss the events that have led to you feeling this way. By creating a chronological story of your life and traumatic events, you are better able to process what you experienced.
Psychodynamic Therapy for Trauma
Psychodynamic Therapy is like cognitive behavioral therapy in that you talk through your trauma with a therapist. The goal is to find the root cause of your trauma and current emotions. By digging into your subconscious and childhood events, you can better understand your actions and thoughts.
Who can benefit from trauma therapy?
There are many different people who can benefit from trauma therapy. Trauma can happen to absolutely anyone, at any age. You don’t have to be the victim of some huge disaster or lose a loved one to benefit from trauma therapy. If you have experienced something that upsets you, no matter how small or big it may seem, trauma therapy can help. Trauma therapy has also been shown to help people who struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Deciding Which Type of Therapy is Best
Deciding on what type of therapy is best for you can seem like a daunting task, especially when you do not know much about therapy. Here are some things to consider when trying to make your decision on what type of therapy would be best for you:
- What are your needs? Think about why you want to go to therapy. Do you need help managing anxiety? Are you looking to improve your relationship with your significant other? Figuring out what you want to get out of therapy can help determine what type of therapy you should choose.
- Research different types of therapy. Now that you have an idea of what you want out of therapy, find what type of therapy can help you achieve those goals.
- Find a qualified therapist. Once you have determined what type of therapy you want to pursue, find a therapist that is qualified to practice that type of therapy. Ask around and see if anyone you know has gone to therapy and if they have any recommendations.
- Look at your options. You may have noticed that there are certain types of therapy that are not offered in your area or are too expensive for you to afford. It is important to look at your options and see which type of therapy you can actually access.
- Listen to your gut. Lastly, go with what feels right for you. If you have found a therapist that meets all the qualifications you want, but something doesn’t feel right, continue your search. You want a therapist that you trust and can feel comfortable with.
How to Find a Trauma Therapist
Just like you would with any other therapist, take your time to find a trauma therapist that you feel meets your needs. There are certain questions and things you may want to look for that are specific to trauma, however. First, you want to make sure that they treat the kind of trauma you’ve experienced. Some therapists may specialize in one type of trauma over another. You also want to make sure that you feel comfortable with your therapist and that they will not judge you for what you’ve been through. Trauma can be very difficult to talk about so it’s important that you can trust your therapist. Once you have found 2-3 therapists that you feel meet your needs, give them a call and see who you connect with.
Get help for trauma at Odyssey Counseling
At Odyssey Counseling, we specialize in trauma treatment. We offer many types of therapy to find what works best for each of our clients. If you’re struggling with trauma and would like to learn more about your treatment options, contact us today! Our team is here to help you find the care you need to start living your best life again.
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