Why is trauma therapy so hard? How does trauma therapy work? Trauma therapy, whether it be from abandonment, neglect, combat violence, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or anything else, can be challenging, as many trauma survivors have come to learn. For some, it is extremely difficult to endure. The good news is that with the right therapist and approach, trauma therapy can be a transformative and healing experience for individuals who have experienced trauma.
Why Is Healing from Trauma So Painful?
Healing from trauma can be a very painful process. Trauma often impacts many aspects of a person’s life and in a lot of cases all of them, including their physical, emotional, cognitive, and relational functioning. Events that are traumatic can leave deep scars that affect a person’s sense of safety, trust, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
So, then, why is healing from trauma so painful? One reason why healing from trauma can be quite painful is that it involves revisiting and processing painful memories and emotions that have been repressed or avoided. This can be a difficult and overwhelming experience, one that triggers intense feelings of fear, sadness, anger, or guilt.
Another reason why healing from trauma can be painful is that it can require a person to change their beliefs and coping strategies. For example, a person who has experienced trauma may have learned to numb their emotions or avoid relationships as a way of protecting themselves from further harm. To heal from trauma, they may need to learn new coping strategies and beliefs that enable them to feel and connect with others in a safe, healthy way.
Finally, healing from trauma can be painful because it is a gradual and nonlinear process. There may be setbacks and relapses along the way, and it may take time to see progress and experience a sense of healing and resolution.
How to Recover from Emotional Trauma
The best or most effective way to recover from emotional trauma is by engaging in trauma therapy with a certified therapist. Trauma therapists are mental health professionals who specialize in treating individuals who have experienced traumatic events in their lives. They treat clients by helping them to process and cope with traumatic experiences endured in a safe and comfortable space. They also provide treatment in the form of symptom management.
For those wondering about how to process trauma on your own, it is possible. Some of the strategies that a person can try to cope with the effects of trauma include self-care, physical exercise, and self-education. Eating well and getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and educating yourself about traumatic experiences can help to manage trauma symptoms. Creative expression and mindfulness and meditation practices can be helpful, as well.
There are a number of strategies that can aid with dealing with trauma, but they will not be sufficient for most people. The vast majority of trauma survivors require intervention by a therapeutic professional.
Stages of Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma. Because trauma therapy for adults can be a complex and lengthy process, it is broken up into stages. The specific stages vary depending on the individual and the therapist. However, there are common stages of trauma therapy:
- Establishing safety – The first stage of trauma therapy is to establish safety for the client. This includes creating a safe and supportive environment where the trauma survivor feels comfortable and secure.
- Stabilization – The next stage in trauma therapy is stabilization. This involves helping the client regulate their emotions, manage symptoms, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. The therapist may teach relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and other strategies for managing feelings and improving wellness.
- Processing the trauma – Once the client has developed a sense of safety and stability, the therapist can begin with trauma processing. It starts with helping you to understand and make sense of what happened. Then, you work together through difficult emotions and thoughts using effective trauma therapy techniques.
- Integration – The final stage of trauma therapy is integration. This involves helping the client to integrate their experiences and the insights they have gained into their daily life. The therapist works with you to develop a plan for moving forward and to identify strategies for maintaining progress over time.
People considering a childhood trauma therapist for adults should keep in mind that trauma therapy is an individualized process. There are multiple stages of healing emotional trauma, and one needs to work through them all for healing and closure.
Can Trauma Therapy Make Things Worse?
In some cases, trauma therapy can make things temporarily worse before they get better. Rarely, re-traumatization may occur. This is because therapy for trauma involves exploring painful, difficult memories and emotions that have been suppressed for a long time. It is normal to feel a range of emotions as you process your trauma.
All considered, a skilled trauma therapist will work with you closely to ensure that the therapy is paced appropriately and that you have the necessary coping skills and support in place to manage any potential distress that may arise. The therapist will also make sure that you feel safe and in control throughout the therapeutic process.
It’s important to note that at times trauma therapy and its advanced evidence-based techniques can be contraindicated or not recommended for certain individuals, such as people living with severe mental health issues or those who are currently in crisis. In such cases, the therapist may recommend other forms of therapy or treatment.
Overall, trauma therapy can be very beneficial for those who have experienced trauma as long as you are working with a qualified and experienced therapist who can help you navigate the process safely and effectively. If you experience any distress during the therapy, communicate this to your therapist so that they can adjust the therapy to your needs.
Can Therapy Make PTSD Worse?
Therapy is a safe and battle-tested treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it can help people cope with and overcome the symptoms of this condition. In rare cases, though, therapy can make PTSD worse.
One of the ways in which therapy could potentially worsen PTSD is if the treatment is not tailored to the specific needs and experiences of the person. For instance, if a technique is used that involves exposure to trauma memories too quickly or without sufficient support, then it could lead to devastating feelings of distress or re-traumatization.
Another factor that could make therapy challenging for individuals with PTSD is if they are not ready or willing to engage in the therapeutic process. This could be due to anxiety, fear, or avoidance. In these cases, therapy may not be effective. It could even exacerbate symptoms if the trauma survivor feels forced or coerced into participating.
While there is potential for therapy to make post-traumatic stress disorder worse, this is rare, and usually people benefit greatly from evidence-based trauma therapy techniques and treatments. Moreover, trauma therapists are trained to work with people with PTSD and will typically adapt their approach to meet the needs of the individual.
Why Is Trauma Therapy So Hard?
Trauma therapy is hard because trauma is hard. Fortunately, trauma treatment therapies have advanced significantly in recent decades and there are excellent therapists who are experienced, understanding, and compassionate. They can provide a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic space in which you can work together to heal your trauma.