Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an extreme disorder that negatively affects survivors of horrific events. Trauma counseling can help individuals work through and recover from severe PTSD symptoms. Here we discuss why trauma counseling is relevant, learn about the various therapeutic modalities, and understand how it helps heal individuals suffering from PTSD.
What is trauma counseling?
Trauma counseling is a therapy that allows individuals to heal from stressful events. Trauma counselors work to develop a safe environment where you can share your feelings, thoughts, and actions associated with your trauma. They will then walk you through taking back control of your emotions and thoughts while reducing your PTSD symptoms over time.
Trauma counseling is specific to those affected by trauma and only deals with trauma-related issues. Trauma counselors go through extensive training on how trauma impacts the brain, body, and emotions. They use this information to provide you with tailored treatment to accommodate your needs and personal experiences.
PTSD Symptoms
PTSD can be seen through a range of emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms. Every person’s PTSD symptoms may be different but can include:
- Intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event
- Nightmares and reliving a painful experience
- Emotional numbness or shutting down
- Avoiding places, activities, or people who remind you of the trauma
- Negative thoughts about yourself or the world
- Thoughts may include “the world is dangerous” or “why did this happen to me?”
How Trauma Counseling Can Help
Trauma counseling is necessary when it comes to treating PTSD because it allows individuals to work through the healing process. Trauma counselors will walk you through resolving traumatic events in a safe space. This is important because many PTSD survivors try to suppress what happened to them which can cause symptoms to worsen.
Throughout trauma counseling you will work on:
Processing your trauma
One of the main goals when trauma counseling is to work through what you have experienced. Many trauma survivors try to push their trauma under the rug and avoid talking about what happened. Trauma can cause the brain to believe that you are constantly in danger, causing you to not want to deal with what happened. Trauma counselors will help you slowly approach your memories and lessen the emotional charge that comes with them. Processing your trauma allows your brain to recognize that you are no longer in danger and you can begin to forget the experience.
Building healthy coping skills
Learning how to control extreme emotions and body reactions is another key component when it comes to trauma therapy. Individuals with PTSD can experience overwhelming emotions and body reactions. Trauma therapy allows your therapist to teach you coping skills to deal with these reactions. Examples of coping skills include deep breathing, mindfulness, grounding, etc.
Challenge negative thoughts
Trauma can change how you see yourself, others, and the world around you. It is common for those with PTSD to believe they are at fault or something is wrong with them. Trauma therapy helps you realize that these thoughts are incorrect and replace them with healthier thoughts.
Learn about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma therapists will often work with you using CBT. CBT allows individuals to challenge themselves the way you think about your trauma. Not only can this help reframe your experience, but it also allows you to view trauma with less shame and more self compassion.
Healing relationships
Whether trauma has affected your relationships or not, healing and strengthening relationships is common when it comes to trauma therapy. Having a safe support system is crucial when recovering from trauma. Therapy allows you to learn how to trust others again and communicate your feelings to others.
If needed, trauma therapists can even bring in significant others or family members to help them better understand PTSD and how they can help you recover.
Different Types of Trauma Counseling for PTSD
Like every disorder, there are different types of counseling that go specifically with your needs as a PTSD survivor. Some common types of trauma counseling are:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps individuals with PTSD reframe the way they think about their trauma. Not only will CBT help change your thoughts but it can also help you build healthy coping skills.
Eye movement desensitization and processing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy focuses on your eyes following the therapist’s fingers while thinking about your trauma. This form of therapy allows your brain to process trauma without experiencing powerful emotions.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a great way to learn how to face what you’ve been avoiding since the trauma. During exposure therapy, you will be exposed to your trauma (i.e. place, topic, object) in a safe environment.
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
TF-CBT is a lot like CBT but focuses on children and teenagers. TF-CBT will have you and possibly your parents or other family members go to counseling sessions together to strengthen communication.
Somatic Experience
This therapeutic style focuses on physical reactions your body experiences when something triggers you. Somatic Experience helps your body let go of the built-up stress in your nervous system by allowing you to release through movement.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy
PTSD is an ongoing battle but can be managed with proper treatment. Trauma therapy allows individuals to learn how to heal from trauma, control their emotions, and feel happy again.
Trauma therapy allows you to feel in control again. Many trauma survivors feel as if they aren’t in control of their emotions or memories. Once you begin counseling, you will learn that you have the power to heal and recover from your trauma.
Final Thoughts About Trauma Counseling for PTSD
Trauma counseling is an essential piece of PTSD recovery. Not only does it allow you to work through your trauma but with help from an experienced trauma therapist you can learn how to manage your PTSD symptoms. Trauma therapy can be altered to best fit your needs and it uses different therapeutic styles like cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, Exposure therapy or Somatic Experience (all described earlier in this article) to ensure your recovery. Your therapist is here to help you and they will do everything possible with your therapy to help improve your chances of healing and leading a better, healthy, happy life.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
If you or someone you know suffer from PTSD, trauma therapy may be the first step to healing. Never forget that recovery is possible with the right people by your side.
When you begin trauma therapy with one of the best trauma counseling therapists in Albuquerque, NM, you will learn how to manage PTSD. Here at Odyssey Counseling, we will teach you coping strategies that you can use throughout your healing process to control your PTSD.
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