What is Trauma?
Trauma is said to be an emotional response to a terrible event. Although there are typical events that come to mind when we think trauma such as abuse, sexual assaults, and car accidents the reality is that trauma can come in many shapes and sizes and can be experienced very differently in people. Trauma is also about perspective, what one person may experience as traumatic, another may not. How we experience and respond to terrible event can have a significant impact on our daily functioning and emotional wellness.
Signs of a Trauma Response:
As mentioned, people may react and respond to traumatic experiences very differently. However, there are common signs of a trauma response that people can be aware of in order to know when to seek help. Some of the common signs of trauma include:
- Re-experiencing the event through nightmares and flashbacks
- Increased fear; seeing danger everywhere
- Increased anxiety and hypervigilance; easily startled and often on edge
- Increase anger and irritability
- Increased sadness and depression
- Feelings of guilt, shame, and self blame
- Difficulty sleeping
- Avoidance of certain people, places, and things
Often times these symptoms will subside after a period of days to months, however if you find yourself continuing to struggle with these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, it may be time to seek help
Types of treatment for Trauma offered at Queen City Counseling
Please speak to one of our clinicians if you have interest one of our trauma specific modalities. Upon assessment our clinicians will determine if this is the right fit for you. Our clinicians may incorporate parts or use a combination of these models into regular therapy if a need is indicated.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
EMDR is a short term therapy that works to heal the mind from psychological trauma much like the body heals from physical wounds. EMDR is utilized to remove the mental block that prevents healing and recovery. EMDR is an 8 phase treatment in which clients will be asked to hold a memory of an event or part of memory of an event in mind while a therapist engages “Bilateral stimulation” in the form of eye movements, tapping, or vibrations. Research has shown that rapid eye movement along with other stimulation when done correctly bu a trained therapist can help internal associations arise to begin the healing process. Significant research has been conducted on the effectiveness of EMDR with trauma symptoms.
For more information please visit: emdr.com or emdria.org
Trauma Resiliency Model
A therapeutic model designed to help individuals understand the biology of traumatic stress reactions and resiliency. Participants will learn specific skills to return the body, mind and spirit back to balance after experiencing traumatic events. When the focus is on normal biological responses to extraordinary events, there is a shift to symptoms being described as biological rather than as pathological or as mental weakness. As traumatic stress symptoms are normalized, feelings of shame and self-blame are reduced or eliminated. Symptoms are viewed as the body’s attempt to re-establish balance to the nervous system.
Please visit traumaresourceinstitute.com for more information.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
TFCBT is an evidenced based short-term structured therapy that generally lasts anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. TFCBT incorporates several interventions with a trauma sensitive approach to support individuals struggling with the destructive effects of trauma. Within the model, cognitive Behavioral techniques help to modify distorted or unhealthy thinking, reactions and behaviors stemming from traumatic experiences and TFCBT brings non-offending parents and/or caregivers into treatment to incorporate family psychoeducation and principles of family therapy.