Talking about trauma can be difficult, even frightening, at times, but getting help to deal with the effects of trauma in your life can have some surprising benefits. Most people would agree that deciding to seek mental health treatment, especially as a result of a traumatic experience, is challenging. However, with the guidance of a trauma-informed therapist, healing is possible.
Even people who have received mental health-related treatment before might be able to benefit from trauma therapy. In fact, learning more about trauma therapy benefits can actually help you feel more empowered to begin the process, jump-starting your recovery. Call Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 or reach out online for more information today.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a type of intense psychological distress resulting from a distressing event or series of events. It can be caused by a variety of experiences, including physical and sexual abuse, natural disasters, serious accidents, war-related experiences, and other major life traumas. Traumatic events can have long-term effects on mental health and overall well-being.
Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Intrusive memories
- Difficulty concentrating
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional numbing
People who experience trauma often feel helplessness or fear and may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or self-harm to help manage their pain and distress. Treatment for trauma typically includes psychotherapy to address symptoms such as phobias and panic attacks, as well as medication to help manage depression and anxiety. It is important to remember that everyone can recover from trauma with the right support. Seeking professional help is an essential step in healing from traumatic events, so it is important to reach out for necessary assistance if needed. With time, patience, and hard work, trauma survivors can learn strategies to cope with their difficulties and live a more fulfilling life.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
To put it simply, trauma therapy is a type of mental health treatment designed to help clients who have experienced trauma. This type of therapy can help with all kinds of traumatic experiences, from childhood abuse to having experienced a car accident. During trauma therapy, clients are encouraged to process the experience in a way that allows them to gain a new understanding of how living with the trauma has impacted their life. Trauma therapy is also conducted in a way that specifically avoids re-traumatizing the client in the same way that, when someone has broken their leg, they avoid walking on it by using crutches.
5 Surprising Benefits Of Trauma Therapy
Of course, reducing negative feelings and after-effects of trauma are a benefit of participation in trauma therapy, but there are some other benefits you may not have previously considered:
- Improved physical health – Trauma can cause problems sleeping, along with many other physical symptoms. Trauma therapy often utilizes a holistic, mind-body approach that recognizes how traumatic experiences can live on in the body. Participating in trauma therapy might result in a better overall state of health.
- Improved mental health – For people who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, the experience of trauma can seriously aggravate symptoms. Participating in trauma therapy can reduce reactivity to mental health triggers, resulting in a better state of mental health for the client.
- Re-envisioning the self – Experiencing trauma can damage a person’s ability to feel stable in their sense of self. Dealing with the trauma in therapy can help clients feel more stable, leading them to proceed in life with a new sense of confidence and capability.
- Re-learning how to trust – Working with a therapist trained in trauma therapy can help the client rebuild the ability to trust their surroundings, other people, and even themselves. Living without the ability to trust can be devastating, so rebuilding it is vital to healing from trauma.
- Safely navigating the world – When people live with unaddressed trauma, they are in constant danger of being re-traumatized. This is one of the most important benefits of trauma therapy. Clients will be able to go about their daily lives without worrying about the trauma arising and causing pain.
How To Know If You Could Benefit From Trauma Therapy
Here are some symptoms to look for that indicate you might be in a position to benefit from trauma therapy:
- Intrusive thoughts or memories
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Taking care to avoid situations that remind you of the trauma
- Symptoms that have lasted for a long time
- Mood swings
- Trouble sleeping
Discuss trauma therapy with your doctor, or contact a PTSD or trauma treatment program near you to get started.
Serenity Grove Offers Trauma Therapy In Athens, Georgia
At our treatment center in Athens, Georgia, our highly-trained clinicians are experts in understanding how trauma can inform mental health and substance abuse. We utilize a holistic, trauma-centered therapeutic approach that helps our clients heal as whole people. If you or someone you care about has been living with trauma and needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out today at 844.904.3485 or online.
