Trauma therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on helping individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. This type of therapy helps people to understand and cope with the psychological effects of trauma, allowing them to regain control over their lives and reduce the feelings of fear, depression, anxiety, helplessness, guilt, and shame that often accompany a traumatic experience.
Trauma therapy aims to empower people to move forward from their past experiences toward healthier futures. Foundations San Francisco offers trauma therapy among our addiction therapy services. Call 415.854.6735 or reach out to us online for more information.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is often thought of as a single event, such as a car accident or natural disaster. While these types of traumatic events can undoubtedly result in trauma, it is important to understand that traumatic experiences are not limited to one-time occurrences. Trauma can also be caused by ongoing or repeated exposure to difficult situations over time. For example, childhood abuse and neglect, bullying, war, sexual assault, and other forms of violence are all examples of potentially traumatic experiences that may have long-lasting effects on someone’s mental health.
The psychological symptoms associated with trauma vary from person to person and depend on the severity and duration of the stressful experience(s). Symptoms can include:
- Intrusive memories
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating
- Intense feelings of shame or guilt
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- GI issues
- Increased startle response
- Avoidance of people, places, activities, or objects that remind the person of the traumatic event
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help—especially if they co-occur with substance abuse. A mental health professional can provide support in navigating difficult experiences and help develop coping strategies for managing trauma-related symptoms. With treatment, people affected by trauma can learn how to heal from their experiences and rediscover a sense of safety and well-being.
How Is Trauma Treated?
Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy is a widely used evidence-based treatment for individuals recovering from trauma. This form of treatment helps individuals identify and process their feelings related to the traumatic experience, learn new skills to manage difficult emotions, understand how the trauma affects current functioning, and build resilience to move forward in life.
For those who struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) as a result of their trauma, integrating addiction therapy into treatment plans is recommended. Addiction therapy helps individuals identify triggers for using substances, develop strategies to avoid relapse, and explore issues related to self-esteem and social relationships. It is also important to identify any underlying psychological issues that may be exacerbating substance abuse problems, such as PTSD, in order to create an effective treatment plan.
How Trauma Therapy Services Can Help
Trauma therapy services can provide an invaluable support system for those who have experienced trauma. Through a range of therapies, clients can work to restore their sense of well-being and resilience and rebuild their lives. Here are some ways that trauma therapy services can be helpful:
- Helping patients process the traumatic event or experience – Trauma therapists help patients understand what happened, develop insight into its causes and effects, and find new ways of making sense of the experience. This may involve revisiting memories associated with the traumatic event and helping them feel comfortable exploring these memories.
- Promoting positive coping strategies – By teaching techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, journaling, or other cognitive-behavioral approaches, patients can develop new skills to help regulate their emotions and manage stress more effectively.
- Enhancing social support – Trauma therapy services can provide a supportive environment to explore relationships with family, friends, or colleagues that may have been affected by the trauma. This helps patients develop better communication and interpersonal skills that can be used in other areas of life.
- Building resilience – By exploring strengths and resources, learning new ways of thinking about difficult experiences, and setting achievable goals, individuals can gain greater insight into themselves and build confidence in their ability to cope with future challenges.
- Creating a sense of personal safety – Through grounding techniques like deep breathing, visualization exercises, and physical activity, patients are empowered to stay present and in the moment and create a sense of personal safety in their environment.
Through trauma therapy services, individuals can find the strength and support they need to rebuild their lives. With the right help, those who have experienced trauma can find hope and move forward with confidence.
Learn More About Trauma Therapy Services at Foundations San Francisco
No matter what type of trauma you have experienced, it is important to understand that you are not alone. Trauma therapy services can help you process and heal from the difficult experiences of your past. With appropriate support and guidance, these services can provide an opportunity to regain control of your life. Call Foundations San Francisco at 415.854.6735 or contact us online to learn how we can help.