Virtually everyone is bound to experience a traumatic event at some point in their life. Car accidents, the deaths of loved ones, and chronic illnesses are just a few examples of such experiences. However, it’s important to understand that trauma is the emotional response to an event, not the event itself. Trauma therapy, in turn, is a type of psychotherapy specifically developed to help people heal their emotional scars.
The spectrum of experiences that can provoke a trauma response is too wide to measure. Everyone is different, and what causes one person to be traumatized may not even bother someone else. Nevertheless, no matter the cause, you can learn how to heal from emotional trauma with the right support. Call Promises at 844.875.5609 for more information.
Trauma Therapy: How to Heal Your Trauma
Many traumatic events are often personal, such as:
- Sexual assault
- Witnessing or being the victim of domestic abuse
- Living with a parent with untreated mental illness
- Extreme poverty and other environmental factors
- The sudden death of a loved one
- The loss of a pet
- Being diagnosed with a fatal illness
- A near-death experience
- Bullying
- A painful divorce
However, some events are so deeply distressing they can cause what is known as mass trauma, a collective response in which most people, regardless of who they are or what their backgrounds are like, would find the event traumatic. The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City represent one such event.
Nonetheless, whereas some people seem to heal relatively easily from traumatic experiences, others may not have the support or coping skills to do so. You may feel stuck in your trauma, experiencing symptoms such as nightmares or flashbacks. You may even avoid people and places associated with the traumatic event. The process of responding to and healing from emotional trauma healing differs from person to person, but trauma therapy can help people work forward through their old pain.
A trained trauma therapist may use a variety of therapies and techniques to help you with emotional trauma healing. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodrama therapy are some of the most effective types of therapy for trauma healing.
Tips to Heal Emotional Trauma
In addition to receiving trauma therapy from a mental health professional, there are several steps you can take to decrease the effects of your emotional trauma on your own.
Start by understanding your triggers. These can include sounds, scents, people, or activities that provoke a feeling of danger. They don’t have to make sense, so there’s no need to judge them. Just observe them. Building an understanding of your triggers will, in turn, help you develop a better understanding of yourself, allowing you to begin building healthy boundaries to avoid being triggered.
Beyond recognizing your triggers, practicing good self-care is one of the most essential tips to heal emotional trauma. Eat a healthy diet, rest, play, and see the doctor and dentist when you should. Spend time with friends, and perhaps pick up a new hobby. All of these self-care activities will help you become more resilient.
Lastly, seek and accept support. Talk to a trusted friend or a mental health professional. If trauma is affecting your mental or physical health, you can receive help. It doesn’t matter if your trauma is somehow “smaller” than someone else’s. Emotional trauma can be devastating, no matter its cause. Allow yourself to have feelings and accept the support that is offered to you.
Enroll in Trauma Therapy at Promises Today
Many people who struggle with substance use disorders are also dealing with some form of unresolved trauma. These two co-occurring conditions are common. In fact, the effort to self-medicate trauma symptoms away may be the cause of a person’s substance use disorder. Addressing both issues simultaneously provides the best chance for long-term healing.
If you need guidance on how to heal your trauma, you’re not alone. Contact Promises today at 844.875.5609 or use our online contact form for more about our trauma therapy program.