CHILDHOOD TRAUMA THERAPIST FOR ADULTS – WHY YOU NEED ONE

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Do you need to see a childhood trauma therapist for adults? There’s a good chance that you do if you’ve experienced traumatic experiences in your youth that have manifested in symptoms that now negatively affect your life.

Every day, scores of people battling the effects of trauma seek therapy to alleviate their symptoms and potentially heal from the trauma that is holding back their lives. But is it necessary? How do you treat childhood trauma in adults? How does trauma therapy work and what can a trauma therapist do about it?

Symptoms of Childhood Trauma in Adulthood

Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, causing a variety of distressing conditions and symptoms. This is a good reason to work with a childhood trauma therapist for adults. Some of the ways in which childhood trauma may manifest in adulthood:

  • Emotional dysregulation – Adults who have experienced childhood trauma may struggle with regulating their emotions, leading to intense mood swings, anger outbursts, and feelings of irritability.
  • Anxiety and depression – Childhood trauma can increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression in adulthood, often as a result of feelings of fear, shame, and hopelessness.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – People with childhood trauma may be at a higher risk of developing PTSD, which can cause intrusive memories, nightmares, insomnia, flashbacks, and hypervigilance.
  • Substance abuse – Grownups with traumatic childhood experiences will commonly turn to substance abuse (i.e., alcohol and drugs) as a way to cope with their emotions and memories.
  • Relationship problems – Trauma in childhood can lead to difficulties forming and maintaining relationships, and those with trauma may struggle with trust, intimacy, and communication in relationships.
  • Self-esteem and self-worth – Traumas from childhood can negatively impact an individual’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem, resulting in feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-confidence.
  • Physical health issues – Events that traumatize people in childhood often manifest as physical health problems later on, such as chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular problems.

Not everyone who experiences childhood trauma will experience symptoms of childhood trauma in adulthood, and the severity of symptoms can vary widely. Seeking professional help from a childhood trauma therapist for adults can be tremendously helpful in managing childhood trauma symptoms and developing healthy coping strategies.

Complex Childhood Trauma in Adults

Complex trauma, also known as Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing prolonged and/or repeated trauma, particularly in situations during childhood or younger years where an individual has been subjected to chronic abuse, neglect, or violence.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder differs from traditional Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in that it involves multiple traumas and ongoing stressors rather than a single traumatic event. Adults living with C-PTSD tend to have experienced extended periods of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or other forms of violence or neglect.

The symptoms of complex trauma include the following:

  • Emotional dysregulation – Grownups with complex childhood trauma often have difficulty regulating emotions. There can be severe mood swings, self-harm behaviors, and feelings of emptiness or numbness.
  • Distorted self-perception – Complex childhood trauma in adults can have a negative effect on self-esteem and self-worth, generating feelings of guilt and shame and low trust in one’s judgment and capabilities.
  • Attachment issues – Adults who’ve experienced complex childhood trauma may struggle to form and maintain healthy relationships, leading to attachment issues, fears of abandonment, and difficulty trusting others.
  • Interpersonal problems – C-PTSD commonly leads to difficulties with interpersonal relationships, including difficulties with general communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution.
  • Self-blame – In many individuals with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, self-blame will be a chronic symptom, but working with a good childhood trauma therapist for adults can help.
  • Dissociation – Disconnecting from one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or traumatic memories is common in people with complex trauma.
  • Hypervigilance and avoidance – Hypervigilance, which involves constantly scanning for threats, and avoidance, which involves avoiding situations/triggers that may cause anxiety or distress, are both C-PTSD symptoms.

Treatment for C-PTSD often involves therapy with a professional. With the correct support and treatment, it is possible to effectively manage symptoms of childhood trauma in adulthood and improve quality of life.

How to Treat Childhood Trauma

The best way to go about treating complex trauma normally is trauma therapy with a specialist. Childhood trauma can be treated with a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Commonly used treatments include:

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma Therapy EMDR
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Somatic Experiencing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

It’s important to note that each person’s experience of trauma is unique, and the type of treatment that works best for one person may not work for another. Seeking help from a licensed childhood trauma therapist for adults is recommended to determine the most appropriate treatment for an individual’s specific needs.

How to Heal from Childhood Trauma without Therapy

While seeking professional help from a therapist is recommended for healing from childhood trauma, there are strategies individuals can try on their own to cope with the effects of their trauma, such as:

  • Self-Education – Learning about childhood trauma can help trauma survivors better understand and cope with it. There are many books, online resources, and support groups available for information and support.
  • Mindfulness and meditation – Mindfulness and meditation practices can be useful for reducing stress, increasing self-awareness, and improving emotional well-being.
  • Creative expression – Engaging in creative activities, such as writing, art, and listening to or producing music, can aid with expressing and processing emotions and experiences.
  • Physical exercise – Regular exercise, known to promote health, is a good option for those looking to learn how to treat childhood trauma at home, as it can reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep.
  • Social support – Building and maintaining healthy, supportive relationships with friends and family members can provide a sense of comfort and belonging.
  • Self-care – Self-care practices, like getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time for yourself, can help individuals with complex trauma feel calmer and more grounded.

Why is trauma therapy so hard? The strategies above can be helpful for those living with complex trauma. However, they will not be sufficient for many people. Childhood trauma is usually a long and challenging process that requires intervention.

Therapist Specializing in Childhood Trauma

Working with a therapist to resolve trauma issues can be highly beneficial. The benefits include a decrease in symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and an increased sense of safety and self-esteem. Choosing the right therapist is imperative, though. That is, a therapist that is a professional with specialized training and relevant experience.

If you’re looking for a childhood trauma therapist for adults who is compassionate, understanding, and experienced in working with trauma survivors, then Atlanta Trauma Therapist can accommodate you. I provide a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic space in which we can work together to achieve your healing goals.