If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, whether recently or in childhood, it can be difficult to move past that experience. Processing trauma is something that’s best done under the guidance of an experienced therapist. There are several potential approaches to emotional trauma therapy, and finding a therapist that you trust and a method that works for you increases your chances of a lasting recovery.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to process trauma and how to broach the issue with a therapist if you’re finding it difficult to talk about your experiences.
Subtle and Overt Signs of Trauma in the Therapy Room
While some individuals who seek therapy are doing so because they’re experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many individuals dealing with anxiety, depression or other similar issues are unaware of the underlying cause of their difficulties.
Therapists often overlook adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex trauma as contributors to mental health challenges. Such events can have a significant impact on people’s lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), preventing ACEs could help reduce cases of depression in adults by as much as 78%.
If a person seeks therapy without disclosing trauma, a trauma-informed therapist will look for subtle and overt signs of trauma in their client.
Some subtle signs of trauma include:
- A fawning or ‘people-pleasing’ approach
- Reluctance to ask for help
- Physical health complaints such as fatigue or chronic pain, with no obvious cause
- An unwillingness to discuss certain topics
- Rigid or “black and white” thinking
- Appearing detached or “numb”
Some more overt signs of trauma include:
- Panic attacks
- Aggressive or volatile behavior
- Experiencing flashbacks
- Shutting down or freezing in response to triggers
- Over-sharing, perhaps at risk of becoming re-traumatized
- Engaging in risky behaviors such as substance abuse
How Trauma Can Influence Therapeutic Progress
If a person has experienced trauma, this can make it difficult for them to feel safe and trust their therapist. Traditional approaches to therapy often focus on fixing the symptoms. This approach may leave individuals who are struggling with trauma feeling disempowered.
Clients often find it easier to process trauma if they feel they’re in a safe environment and their therapist is listening to them without judging them. A trauma-informed therapist builds trust and creates an environment where the client feels they have control over each aspect of their treatment, from the setting to pacing. This helps enhance the recovery process.
Common Reactions: Avoidance, Emotional Numbing, Over-Activation
When someone has experienced trauma, it’s normal for them to have severe reactions to triggers.
- Avoidance. A client may consciously or unconsciously try to avoid discussing the trauma. They might do this by simply shutting down when memories surface, or by attempting to redirect the conversation.
- Numbing. Another common response to trauma is to become emotionally numb. This may manifest as a monotone voice, flat facial expressions, and an apparent inability to feel both positive and negative emotions.
- Over-Activation. If a therapist accidentally triggers the client’s trauma response, this might cause the client to disengage from the session. Trauma-informed therapists attempt to avoid this by making sure their clients don’t become overwhelmed during the therapy process.
Avoidance, in particular, is a common reaction to trauma. If you’re struggling to bring up trauma in a therapy session, but you do feel like you can trust your therapist, try writing down the issues you’re facing. Consider what you want to achieve from the therapy session (such as stopping flashbacks, reducing anxiety or dealing with nightmares).
At your next therapy session, mention that you’re dealing with some challenging memories and that you’d like to work through them. Set boundaries with the therapist if necessary, and work through the issues at your own pace.
The Role of Triggers and Flashbacks in Therapy Sessions
When most people think of flashbacks, they think of veterans living with PTSD after traumatic experiences. Flashbacks are symptoms that trauma survivors from all walks of life can experience, and learning to identify triggers and cope with flashbacks is an important part of processing trauma.
At FHE Health, we work with people experiencing PTSD and take a trauma-informed approach to helping them understand their triggers, practice grounding and use cognitive techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts.
A trauma-aware approach to therapy includes directly addressing these issues without re-traumatizing the client. Treatment techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be helpful for this. We have experienced therapists who use these treatments to help people confront their past trauma and reframe their thinking in a way that promotes long-term healing.
Why Trauma-Informed Therapists Approach Things Differently
Traditional therapies often treat the condition, not the individual. This approach can work for some individuals. However, if an individual is struggling with processing trauma or has not yet made the connection between complex trauma and their mental health, they may find certain therapeutic approaches re-traumatize them.
There are several key differences in how a trauma-informed therapist approaches treatment:
- Treat the individual. A trauma-informed therapist looks at the individual and what happened to them, rather than focusing on the condition.
- Avoid pathologizing the patient. Rather than treating a patient as a patient, they refer to them as clients. By treating the person as a human being and avoiding making them feel like there’s “something wrong with them”, trauma-informed therapists help clients open up.
- Focus on safety. Individuals dealing with trauma often shut down when they feel unsafe. A trauma-informed approach avoids this challenge.
- Provide choice. Traumatic events typically involve situations where the victim feels disempowered. Giving clients choices throughout their treatment increases the feeling of safety.
- Thoughtful pacing. Taking someone too far out of their comfort zone could re-traumatize them. By keeping the client in control of their recovery but encouraging them to challenge themselves in safe ways, trauma-aware therapists enhance the recovery process.
Creating a Safe Space for Processing Trauma
An experienced therapist will provide a safe space for their clients to process trauma. They’ll also help their clients create their own “base” and learn how to process trauma on their own. For some people, that could be by writing a journal or creating art that helps them work through their emotions.
Others might work through their trauma by engaging in meditation, mindfulness, or sports. The coping mechanisms will differ between individuals. The purpose and mental framework will remain the same.
Start Your Healing Journey With Trauma-Informed Care
Before someone can process their trauma, they must first recognize that it has occurred. Only then can they seek assistance. A trauma-informed therapist will help you do this by focusing on safety, trust and awareness.
If you’re struggling with trauma, contact FHE Health today to book a confidential consultation with a trauma-informed therapist who can help you on the path to recovery.
