Trauma may be acute, lifelong, relational, intergenerational, and/or related to issues of systemic oppression, narcissistic abuse and undue influence. The treatment of trauma is not a one-size-fits all approach. Rather, it is tailored to each individual client and their unique experiences and strengths. Trauma treatment consists of more than processing trauma memories - outlined below are the components that need to be addressed in order to safely and effectively treat trauma.
1. Building a trusting relationship. Trauma can only be effectively addressed if you feel safe and have built a foundation of trust.
2. Emotional stabilization and building effective coping skills. Accessing emotionally painful memories can be extremely challenging. It is essential to build coping skills and gain emotional stability before delving into trauma memories. Trauma memories may be inherently destabilizing, and you may feel worse before you feel better. It is necessary to have go-to coping strategies and supports to help stabilize your emotions throughout this process.
3. Learning about trauma and how it manifests in the mind and body. Understanding what trauma is, how it shapes our brain and behavior, and how our bodies remember and hold trauma, is essential to understanding the effects of trauma on the self. Trauma is exhibited in the fight-flight-freeze responses - which our bodies are hardwired to do in the face of imminent danger. Trauma is when that fight-flight-freeze response is triggered well after the danger has passed, keeping us locked in a perpetual state of fear. Our goal is to regulate the central nervous system response to traumatic memories, so that we can free ourselves from perpetual fear, and regain autonomy over our lives.
4. Practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques. In trauma treatment, we want to stay within "the window of tolerance", which is an emotional state that is relatively normal, not hyper-aroused, nor dissociated. Deep breathing and mindfulness activities can help us purposefully soothe ourselves when we are feeling overwhelmed. A state of emotional regulation, even as we are feeling and recalling memories, allows us to process the memories without experiencing intense fear.
5. Speaking truth - exploring trauma memories. Once we have stabilized ourselves, learned about trauma, developed coping skills, and practiced calming techniques, we will be able to process trauma memories.
6. Regain autonomy. Over time, we will rewire our brains to recall trauma without triggering a fight-flight-freeze reaction.
1. Building a trusting relationship. Trauma can only be effectively addressed if you feel safe and have built a foundation of trust.
2. Emotional stabilization and building effective coping skills. Accessing emotionally painful memories can be extremely challenging. It is essential to build coping skills and gain emotional stability before delving into trauma memories. Trauma memories may be inherently destabilizing, and you may feel worse before you feel better. It is necessary to have go-to coping strategies and supports to help stabilize your emotions throughout this process.
3. Learning about trauma and how it manifests in the mind and body. Understanding what trauma is, how it shapes our brain and behavior, and how our bodies remember and hold trauma, is essential to understanding the effects of trauma on the self. Trauma is exhibited in the fight-flight-freeze responses - which our bodies are hardwired to do in the face of imminent danger. Trauma is when that fight-flight-freeze response is triggered well after the danger has passed, keeping us locked in a perpetual state of fear. Our goal is to regulate the central nervous system response to traumatic memories, so that we can free ourselves from perpetual fear, and regain autonomy over our lives.
4. Practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques. In trauma treatment, we want to stay within "the window of tolerance", which is an emotional state that is relatively normal, not hyper-aroused, nor dissociated. Deep breathing and mindfulness activities can help us purposefully soothe ourselves when we are feeling overwhelmed. A state of emotional regulation, even as we are feeling and recalling memories, allows us to process the memories without experiencing intense fear.
5. Speaking truth - exploring trauma memories. Once we have stabilized ourselves, learned about trauma, developed coping skills, and practiced calming techniques, we will be able to process trauma memories.
6. Regain autonomy. Over time, we will rewire our brains to recall trauma without triggering a fight-flight-freeze reaction.
