Trauma Therapies and PTSD Treatment – Available in Chesterfield, VA
Life can be unpredictable, and we don't always have control over the things we experience. This means many people go through negative events that have a lasting impact on how they feel, think, and behave. Sometimes it can be hard to initially recognize the trauma you experience, but eventually, the fallout will start to take a toll on your way of living, relationships and well-being. To cope with the effects of the trauma, guided and clinically proven trauma therapy may be needed. Learn how this type of therapy works, the different types and how you can start to get help in Chesterfield, VA.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
If you don't have much familiarity with therapy, you may be wondering what sets therapy for trauma apart from other types of treatment. The unique part is that this type of therapy aims to treat psychological trauma specifically. The goal is to unpack the aftermath of overwhelming negative experiences, such as natural disasters, physical or sexual abuse, war and violence, crime, severe illness or the loss of a loved one.
Why Does Trauma Need Treatment?
Often, people who live through experiences such as these try to manage the emotional impact on their own. They convince themselves that they have gotten past whatever has happened and that they are fine. However, certain experiences are guaranteed to leave a mark on your mental state. Even though you think you are fine, sights, sounds, places or actions can trigger the memory and your amygdala, sending you into flight, fight, or freeze mode.
When you don't utilize specific therapies for trauma to work through the event, the trauma could manifest in the form of flashbacks, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As these issues get worse, you could have trouble doing your job, spending time with your loved ones, and completing daily tasks. Therapy gives you the skill to manage these conditions and cope in healthy ways.
Types of Trauma Therapies
Different traumatic experiences cause different types of psychological stress, so it makes sense that they require different treatments. Every individual is also unique and may respond to a specific type of therapy. The various treatments can also prove to be too much, or too little for patients of different age groups. Each of these therapy modalities can be adjusted for the individual, ensuring that everyone gets the treatment they need.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
One of the most common types of therapy to address trauma is cognitive processing therapy. It's based on cognitive behavioral therapy and is meant to target the negative thought patterns that people often fall into after a traumatic event. With this therapy, patients learn to challenge these negative beliefs so they can have more control over their lives. Cognitive processing therapy is effective for people who are experiencing a lot of shame and self-blame related to their trauma.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)
Prolonged exposure therapy works by exposing patients to trauma-related memories or triggers in a gradual and controlled manner. This form of therapy is effective for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Through slow and controlled exposure, the patient can learn to cope with the negative stimulus, reducing the anxiety that comes with being faced with bad memories or feelings. PET can be highly effective for people who actively avoid reminders of their traumatic experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
You can also use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, also known as EMDR, to treat trauma-related problems. In recent years, EMDR has gained more acknowledgment as a way to help people deal with a variety of traumas, including single-event traumas such as car accidents or complex issues such as ongoing abuse. EMDR involves a patient recounting the trauma while experiencing bilateral stimulation of the eyes. The eye movement reduces the intensity of the negative feelings.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)
For trauma care that has proven beneficial for children and adolescents, trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy is often used. This treatment uses the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and adds aspects of family therapy. Younger people respond to this type of trauma therapy well because it addresses the negative feelings of the trauma while also integrating caregivers and family members into the care. This helps restore the child's sense of safety and community and empowers them to share their feelings.
It's very possible that one patient may need to go through several of these trauma therapies in order to realize a better quality of life. All these methods are designed to help trauma patients of all ages and from all walks of life confront the negative experiences they've had, process them, and move forward.
Getting the Support You Need
No matter how long ago your traumatic event was, it's not too late or too difficult to get treatment. Whether you need CPT, PET, EMDR or TF-CBT, you can find what's right for you at WHOA Behavioral Health. Telehealth appointments make it easy to start, and other services such as psychiatry and in-home help make sure you get everything you need. Contact WHOA Behavioral Health now to start healing.
