The Benefits of Trauma Therapy: How It Can Help You Heal and Rebuild
Each year, about 1-3% of people will experience clinically significant trauma. Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that can significantly affect both the mind and body. Trauma ranges from acute events to chronic exposure. Understanding trauma’s impact and how it can be addressed in therapy is critical to supporting individuals in their recovery and coping processes.
Defining Trauma: Types and Responses
Trauma is broadly defined as an event or series of events that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, resulting in lasting psychological, emotional, or physical effects. Trauma can be categorized in several ways:
Acute Trauma: A single, overwhelming event (e.g., an accident, assault, natural disaster).
Chronic Trauma: Prolonged exposure to distressing events (e.g., ongoing abuse, domestic violence, living in a war zone).
Complex Trauma: Repeated, often interpersonal, trauma over an extended period, typically occurring in childhood, such as neglect or sexual abuse.
It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop a clinical diagnosis or even symptoms. However, some individuals do develop trauma-related disorders, which can be treated effectively with therapy. Mental health support can facilitate emotional healing and the trauma recovery process.
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Trauma With and Without a Clinical Diagnosis
Trauma counselling helps individuals regardless of whether their symptoms fit within a diagnosis. Regardless of whether you meet clinical diagnostic criteria, supportive therapy can help your emotional healing and recover from past or current traumas.
Trauma with a Clinical Diagnosis
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a clinically recognized disorder that can develop following exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of trauma reminders, and emotional numbness. PTSD affects approximately 9-12% of the Canadian population during their lifetime.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
ASD occurs in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, with symptoms similar to PTSD. It typically lasts from 3 days to 4 weeks, and can evolve into PTSD if the symptoms persist.
Trauma without a Clinical Diagnosis
Not everyone exposed to trauma will meet the criteria for PTSD or other trauma-related disorders.
Many individuals experience distressing symptoms, such as anxiety, sleep disruption, or intrusive memories, but these do not necessarily meet the threshold for a clinical diagnosis. This does not mean the trauma is less impactful.
In fact, untreated or unaddressed trauma can have significant long-term consequences, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis.
The Effects of Trauma on the Mind and Body
Trauma can have pervasive effects on both the mind and the body. The stress response system, designed to protect us from danger, can become dysregulated after trauma, leading to a range of symptoms:
Psychological Effects
Intrusive Thoughts and Flashbacks
Survivors may experience distressing memories or feel as though they are reliving the traumatic event.
Hyperarousal
Symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, heightened startle response, and sleep disturbances are common.
Avoidance and Emotional Numbing
Survivors may avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma. Emotional detachment, withdrawal, or a sense of numbness can also occur.
Depression and Anxiety
Many individuals experience profound sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety following trauma, and may have difficulty coping with day-to-day life.
Learn the signs of depression you shouldn’t ignore or book a depression therapy consultation.
Physical Effects
Chronic Stress Responses
Trauma can lead to the prolonged activation of the fight-or-flight response, resulting in physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, or chronic pain.
Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia, nightmares, or waking frequently during the night are common.
Fatigue and Exhaustion
Chronic trauma or PTSD often leads to fatigue, making it difficult to engage in daily activities or maintain a healthy routine.
Impact on Relationships
Relationship Problems
Trauma can create difficulties in forming and maintaining close relationships. Survivors may struggle with trust, experience difficulty in emotional intimacy, or push loved ones away.
Social Isolation
The emotional pain and lack of understanding from others can lead individuals to withdraw, making it harder to seek support.
Clinical Approaches to Trauma Recovery
Recovering from trauma, whether or not it results in a clinical diagnosis, requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. There are several evidence-based therapeutic modalities designed to help individuals process trauma and reclaim their sense of safety and well-being.
Mend psychologists use each of these modalities and will be offering EMDR in early 2025.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors associated with trauma. TF-CBT focuses on reducing distressing symptoms by restructuring negative beliefs and teaching healthy coping skills.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (e.g., guided eye movements) to help individuals process and reframe distressing memories. EMDR has shown to be particularly effective in treating PTSD, with many individuals reporting significant symptom relief after treatment.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic experiencing focuses on the connection between mind and body, helping individuals release stored physical tension and trauma. SE aims to help the body and mind integrate and resolve traumatic experiences through mindful awareness of physical sensations.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness therapies teach individuals to stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the tendency to ruminate on past trauma or worry about the future. Mindfulness practices can help individuals manage the stress and emotional pain associated with trauma.
Moving Forward: The Role of Therapy in Trauma Recovery
Healing from trauma is a multi-faceted process that requires individualized care. Therapy provides the support needed to address and manage its impacts. Working with a trained clinician is essential for creating a safe and structured environment for healing.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of trauma, please reach out for support. Therapy can help individuals understand their experience, reduce distressing symptoms, and restore a sense of control and peace.
As a registered psychologist, I specialize in trauma recovery and use evidence-based approaches to help individuals heal. If you're ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact me to learn more about how therapy can support you on your journey.