Top Therapy Options for Trauma

Experiencing trauma is unfortunately common in our society. It’s estimated that at least 70% of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event during their lives. While extremely difficult to cope with, there are effective therapy options for trauma that can help. 

At Massachusetts Center for Addiction, we believe each person deserves the opportunity to recover from trauma with the help of evidence-based treatment and professional, compassionate mental health experts. Each person should have access to the trauma treatment that is best aligned with their needs and help them along their healing journey. 

What Is Trauma Therapy 

Trauma is different from other types of mental health disorders. Its impact can be substantial, with the root causes based on lived experiences, which can have a biological and psychological effect on the body. In other words, trauma is complex, and the most effective path toward healing begins with specialized trauma therapy. 

Trauma therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is explicitly focused on healing trauma. During therapy, individuals work through the emotional and psychological impact of traumatic experiences, learning how to confront and process trauma in a healthy way. The goal of trauma therapy is to develop coping mechanisms and a sense of control and empowerment over trauma response. 

There are multiple types of therapy options for trauma. These include individual psychotherapy approaches, group support therapy, and complementary therapeutic approaches for more holistic healing. 

Examples of Trauma 

Trauma can take many forms and can affect each person differently. This list contains some of the most common types of trauma, but it is not exhaustive. You or someone you care for may have experienced a traumatic event that is not listed here. 

• Domestic Violence (as an adult or child)
• Sexual abuse or sexual assault 
• Sex trafficking 
• Physical abuse or assault 
• Psychological abuse 
• Bullying (including online bullying)
• Communal violence 
• Racial violence 
• Refugee trauma 
• Witnessing a mass shooting event 
• Combat or military trauma 
• Terrorism events 
• Accidents 
• Loss of a loved one 
• Divorce 
• Homelessness 
• Traumatic childbirth 
• Medical trauma 
• Natural disasters 
• Generational trauma 
• Complex trauma (exposure to multiple traumatic events)

Understanding PTSD and Effective PTSD Treatment Options

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the many ways trauma can manifest as a severe mental health condition. It often develops after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, particularly in cases of prolonged or intense trauma, such as military service, abuse, or first responder duties. PTSD can disrupt daily life, causing symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, and persistent, distressing thoughts related to the trauma.

PTSD treatment is a critical step in helping individuals reclaim their lives. It typically involves a mix of therapeutic approaches tailored to each person’s unique needs. 

Individual Therapy for Trauma 

Trauma-informed therapy is a specialized mental health treatment focused on acknowledging the impact of traumatic events on one’s emotional health, behaviors, and emotional regulation abilities. With this acknowledgment, a therapeutic approach can be developed that is tailored to the individual’s unique traumatic experience. 

By focusing on the impact of trauma, the therapist can help create an environment of safety and trustworthiness, allowing the individual to feel more comfortable and more open to healing techniques. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the relationship between a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and their relationship to trauma. CBT is often used in treating mental health conditions that don’t involve trauma, but it’s also an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective for conditions like PTSD. 

CBT is a type of restructuring therapy that helps individuals recognize and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors related to trauma. This is essential for learning how to cope with stress triggers and distorted beliefs related to trauma. 

Prolonged Exposure Therapy  (PET)

Prolonged exposure therapy involves facing one’s trauma in a safe, controlled space. Patients are gradually exposed and reexposed to their trauma, either through visualization, imagination, or real-life exercises. 

Repeated exposure in a setting the individual feels safe in allows them to confront their trauma, and eventually reduce trauma-related stress and reactions. This approach is a good option for individuals who have distorted beliefs related to their trauma and helps them to achieve a healthier perspective about current and future threats. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

This evidence-based approach uses bilateral visual stimulation to induce certain eye movements. Evidence shows that certain eye movements can affect how the brain processes and copes with memories of traumatic experiences. 

During EMDR, a therapist works with the individual, having them follow the movement of their hand or other object. During treatment, movement may be periodically stopped, allowing the patient to assess how they feel at different points. 

EMDR doesn’t wipe the memory clean of traumatic memories, but it can shift how the brain compartmentalizes them. This can make it so that trauma memories aren’t always front and center, which enables the individual to more fully heal. 

Group Therapy for Trauma 

With trauma can come social withdrawal and feelings of isolation. It might feel as though nobody truly understands what you’re experiencing, or worse, that your trauma response is an overreaction. Group therapy for trauma is a way to find the emotional support needed and to feel less isolated and alone. 

Through group therapy, multiple participants share their traumatic experiences, and how this has affected their lives. Group therapy sessions include discussion, group therapeutic exercises and coping strategies to practice at home. One of the main benefits of group therapy for trauma is the opportunity to learn from each other and develop a broader range of coping strategies. 

Complementary Therapy Techniques for Trauma 

Psychotherapy and group therapies aren’t the only therapeutic approaches to healing from trauma. Complementary therapies can be used, along with traditional treatments, for a more holistic approach to trauma recovery. 

These therapies, like mindfulness, medication, acupuncture, yoga, and art or music therapy, are just a few of the ways to cope with trauma in a healthy, healing way. 

Complementary therapies are meant to be used with other types of individual therapy, or as part of an aftercare plan. While these approaches are effective, complementary therapies often aren’t enough on their own for trauma recovery. 

Healing From Trauma with Evidence-Based Treatment in Massachusetts 

Many people are living with the effects of unhealed trauma, but you can take the first step toward healing by reaching out to the Massachusetts Center for Addiction. We offer evidence-based approaches to trauma healing tailored to your individual experience. We also offer complementary therapies and believe in the power of holistic healing. 

Our team encourages you to contact us at 844-486-0671 today to begin your healing journey.