Statistics show that half of all adults will experience some trauma in their lives.[1] When someone experiences trauma, they need therapy to help them cope with their emotions and heal. There are different types of treatment to help people with various types of traumas. As we explore several different types of therapies, we’ll also share how Healing Foundations Center can provide individual therapy in Scottsdale to help you heal.
What is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is a type of talk therapy that is designed to help people manage traumatic events in their lives.[2] It helps people cope with the emotional response that a traumatic event can trigger. Trauma therapy looks at how traumatic experiences impact a person emotionally and mentally.
When someone experiences a trauma, it triggers brain activity in the area of the amygdala.[2] This is where emotions are regulated, and memories are processed. This part of the brain can be slow to recover from high-intensity trauma. Through trauma therapy, patients can overcome the effects of traumatic events and how they impact their brains without becoming re-traumatized.
Types of Individual Therapy in Scottsdale
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of individual therapy that can help people identify and cope with negative thought patterns. These sessions work to change thought patterns that can make depression and anxiety worse.
This is a common form of therapy where people learn how to identify negative thinking, view challenging situations clearly, and discover how to respond in healthy ways.
If someone undergoes cognitive behavioral therapy, they may undergo different treatments, such as multimodal therapy. This type of therapy addresses seven interconnected modalities, such as biology, imagery, sensation, and more. Patients may also undergo dialectical behavioral therapy, which addresses different thoughts and behaviors while using coping strategies, such as emotional regulation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with mental health conditions such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Sleep Disorders
When people undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, the goal is to not only manage symptoms and treat mental illness but also prevent relapse and teach patients to resolve conflicts and communicate effectively.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps people reconnect to their emotions and thoughts in a safe environment. EMDR works on the theory that people experience symptoms when a traumatic event disrupts the brain’s natural ability to heal. When placed in a safe environment and provided stimulation, the patient can re-experience the trauma in a new context, which allows them to heal properly. The process can repeat until it no longer causes stress and trauma.
Patients will undergo different phases of EMDR that will allow them to best handle their trauma and learn how to cope. EMDR can be used to treat patients with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Eating disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Psychosis
Each patient’s response to EMDR is different. Some patients may see dramatic improvements after each session, while it may take several sessions to work for others. Many patients prefer EMDR as an individual therapy option because it doesn’t involve lengthy descriptions of the trauma.
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic experiencing is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can cause a dysfunction in your nervous system.[3] It can prevent you from fully processing what has occurred. Through somatic experiencing, patients notice how their body reacts to mental health issues. They use this awareness to acknowledge and cope with painful sensations.
Therapists use various techniques to help people become more in tune with their emotions and sensations. Breathing and relaxation techniques can also help patients to process and release trauma. People with anxiety, depression, and grief can all benefit from somatic experiences.
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Narrative exposure therapy is an individual therapy that helps people deal with trauma. With the help of a therapist, patients learn how to create a chronological narrative of their lives, including positive and traumatic experiences. This helps to reframe how people perceive their lives.[4]
Holistic treatments such as yoga, meditation, and journaling can also be used in conjunction with other therapies to give people the treatment they deserve. Many people find that self-care, such as exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep, can help their minds and bodies recover from trauma.
Individual Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ: Benefits of Trauma Therapy
People who undergo trauma therapy learn how to identify and manage triggers as well as how to build healthy coping skills. [2]
Some benefits include:
- Reduced feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness
- Learning how to understand traumatic events
- Overall improvement in health and well-being
Through trauma therapy, people also learn how to understand their trauma and process why certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors occur. When people can better understand their trauma, they can begin to feel more empowered in their lives.
Trauma therapy can also help people to re-establish safety. Trauma can leave people feeling violated and at risk. Trauma-focused therapy can help to restore safety and develop a new normal.
When people undergo therapy, they also learn how to rebuild their sense of self. Often, when people undergo trauma, it can result in low self-esteem and depression. Through different types of therapy sessions, people learn how to better view themselves and regain the self-esteem they need to lead productive lives.
Individual Therapy in Scottsdale at Healing Foundations Center
Healing Foundations Center offers a variety of individual therapy options in Scottsdale to help people cope with and manage different types of traumas. Our services are aimed at helping people regain their self-esteem and better understand what they have gone through. We help people live meaningful and productive lives while receiving necessary treatment. No matter what type of trauma you’re facing, our team is here and ready to help you. Contact us today to learn more about how Healing Foundations Center can provide the types of therapy you need to deal with your trauma.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
[2] https://www.verywellhealth.com/trauma-therapy-5212434
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/somatic-experiencing
[4] https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/narrative-exposure-therapy