Also called trauma-focused therapy, it helps people process abusive, dangerous, frightening, or life-threatening experiences.
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What Is Trauma Therapy?
When a person experiences trauma, it triggers heightened activity in the part of the brain known as theamygdala.
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This is involved in the regulation of emotions and memory processing.
Research shows the amygdala can be slow to recover from high-intensity trauma.
When Is It Time to See a Trauma Therapist?
When anyone experiences a traumatic event, this sets off emotional, physical, and brain-based responses.
Types of Trauma Therapy Treatments
There are many types of trauma therapy treatments.
Evidence-based treatments are backed by research supporting their effectiveness.
The following are a few of the main types of evidence-based therapies for treating trauma.
Patients typically meet with a therapist once a week for three to four months.
It helps patients challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.
Patients typically meet with a therapist for about 12 sessions.
CPT is considered a first-line intervention for PTSD and is strongly recommended by the APA.
CBT usually takes 12 to 16 sessions.
This treatment is strongly recommended by the APA for the treatment of PTSD.
There is also trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, or TF-CBT, which is also evidence-based.
It’s designed for children and adolescents but includes their caregivers as part of the therapy.
During this therapy, rhythmic eye movements are combined with focus on memories of the trauma.
EMDR usually involves six to 12 weekly or twice-weekly sessions.
Although popular, EMDR is not more effective than PE or CPT.
It can be less accessible because it is more expensive and harder to find.
This helps reframe how they perceive their life and memories overall.
Trauma and the Mind-Body Connection
Trauma is not just experienced emotionally but in the body as well.
During a traumatic event, the mind and body become activated.
For some people, after the threat has passed, the mind and body will return to normal.
For others, hyperarousal and hyperreactivity remain and become chronic.
Trauma therapy can improve quality of life.
Some other benefits of trauma therapy include:
Why Is Trauma Therapy so Difficult?
Trauma therapy can be challenging.
However, living with unprocessed trauma can be very emotionally debilitating.
At first, looking into past traumatic experiences can cause symptoms of trauma to surface.
One study found that those who experienced an increase in symptoms experienced significant improvement by the end of treatment.
How Effective Is Trauma Therapy?
Research shows trauma therapy can be highly effective.
A 2018 review of studies compared PE, CPT, and CBT for the treatment of PTSD.
Minipress (prazosin) may also be prescribed for nightmares in people with PTSD.
However, there isnt strong evidence to support the use of either medicine.
Medications not recommended in the treatment of PTSD include atypical antipsychotics, antiseizure medicines, benzodiazepines, and cannabis.
Summary
Trauma-informed therapy helps people overcome the effects of traumatic events.
It can be especially beneficial for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are several types of evidence-based trauma therapies and treatments that can improve a person’s quality of life.
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American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
American Psychological Association.Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
American Psychological Association.Narrative exposure therapy (NET).
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