Trauma can profoundly impact our lives, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves and others. Whether it’s the result of a single traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or an accident, or ongoing trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect, the effects of trauma can be long-lasting and debilitating.
However, with the help of therapy, it is possible to overcome trauma and reclaim your life. In this blog, we will explore the process of overcoming trauma through therapy and the journey to healing and recovery
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event or series of events. It can have a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, shame, and self-blame.
Trauma can also affect how we think, feel, and behave, making it difficult to trust others, form healthy relationships, and feel safe in our bodies. However, with the help of therapy, it is possible to overcome the effects of trauma and find healing and recovery.
The Role of Therapy in Trauma Recovery
Therapy can be a powerful tool for overcoming trauma. It provides a safe and supportive space to explore your feelings, thoughts, and experiences related to trauma. Therapists who specialize in trauma recovery can help you develop coping skills to manage your symptoms and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences.
Trauma-focused therapy may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Hakomi, inner child work, etc. Therapists can assist in supporting you to understand which modality/ modalities are a good fit for you, depending on your needs and preferences.
Trauma processing involves the desensitizing and reprocessing of traumatic memories, so they are no longer replaying in the present. The traumatic experience now feels as if it is in the past, and the memories surrounding the event are less emotionally charged. You will feel less distress associated with the past memory, and experience a significant decrease in negative thoughts, body sensations, and negative emotions associated with the experience(s).
Trauma processing techniques do not take away from the memory of what has happened, but you will feel differently about the experience(s). Those negative memories are no longer overwhelming. Trauma processing techniques also assist to “re-write the narrative” so that you are no longer living the narratives of the past. Your body feels like it can relax and feel safe in the present moment.
The Journey to Healing and Recovery
The journey to healing and recovery from trauma is unique to each individual. It can be a difficult and challenging process, but with the support of a therapist, it is possible to find hope and healing.
The first step in the journey to healing and recovery is acknowledging the impact of trauma on your life. This can be a difficult and painful process, but it is an important step in moving forward.
Next, it is important to develop coping skills to manage the symptoms of trauma. Your therapist can help you identify healthy coping strategies, such as meditation, exercise, or journaling, to help you manage anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.
As you work through the effects of trauma, your therapist can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences. This can involve exploring the impact of trauma on your relationships, beliefs, and sense of self.
Trauma recovery goals will be different for every person. Individuals that we have worked with have reported finding a sense of peace, distance, and healing from their past experiences. They have shared that memories no longer “pop up” and hijack their bodies or the moment, when they least expect it. Others have explored who their genuine authentic self is, as traumatic experiences in childhood can often alter that sense of self. Recovery may be learning to forgive oneself or increasing self-compassion and taming the inner critic; appreciating their own resilience and courage; learning to set boundaries, or finding new meaning, understanding, and purpose in life. We present you with an opportunity to write your own narrative. Not the one that traumatic experiences gave to you. You didn’t come this far, to only come this far.
Overcoming trauma through therapy is a journey that requires courage, patience, and support. With the help of a therapist, it is possible to find healing and recovery from trauma and reclaim your life. Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope for a better, brighter future because trauma is treatable.