Understanding Trauma Therapy

Article written by Denver trauma therapist, Lauren Battista

What is trauma?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.”

In simpler terms, trauma occurs when we experience an event or series of events that overwhelm our ability to cope, leaving us feeling distressed, unsafe, and at times, out of control.

Trauma can stem from many different situations, such as accidents, natural disasters, abuse, death, and loss.

It develops from events and experiences that caused feelings of shame, or sudden life changes.

It doesn’t always have to involve physical harm. Relational trauma, such as betrayal or neglect, can be just as impactful. Neglect is the failure to meet emotional, physical, or medical needs.

Relational trauma can sometimes be more harmful to a person’s mental health.

Traumatic experiences can disrupt our sense of security and stability. They can cause lingering feelings of panic, fear, or numbness that can be hard to understand.

For some, trauma may result in vivid memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. Others might feel disconnected from themselves and the world around them.

These are some of the many trauma symptoms one might experience.

It’s important to understand that trauma affects each person differently. The impact of a traumatic experience is defined by the person who experiences it.

Recognizing these experiences’ effects and finding support can aid healing from trauma.

The Impacts of Trauma on Mental Health and Relationships

Trauma can profoundly affect mental health. It can alter how we think, feel, and interact with the world.

Our nervous systems often can’t tell real threats from perceived ones. So, reminders of past trauma can trigger intense emotional and physical reactions.

This sensitivity can increase the risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and more.

Trauma can also affect our relationships, often disrupting our ability to regulate emotions and communicate effectively.

This emotional dysregulation can lead to conflicts, misunderstandings, and heightened sensitivity, creating ruptures in communication—an essential component of healthy relationships.

Additionally, trauma, particularly when it involves betrayal or loss, can make it difficult to trust others and the world around us.

Read More: “The Silent Suffering: The Real Impact of Emotional Abuse on Mental Health”

This loss of trust can make it challenging to form new connections and maintain existing ones, as fear and uncertainty may overshadow the desire for intimacy and connection.

Over time, these struggles can lead to feelings of isolation, making it even more important to address trauma in a supportive therapeutic setting.

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of traditional therapy. It helps people heal from the deep, lasting effects of trauma.

Trauma therapy is intended to provide a safe space for individuals to explore their story and their symptoms.

It allows people to work through the pain of past experiences and regain a sense of balance, peace, and control over their lives now.

Trauma-informed therapy aims to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space. This helps people feel safe to address their trauma’s physical and emotional effects.

Through engaging in trauma therapy, clients develop a new understanding of themselves and find healthier ways of coping. They are able to develop greater resilience practices.

The Benefits of Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy offers the opportunity for long-term relief from distressing symptoms. It allows individuals to feel more empowered in their own lives.

With trauma therapy, individuals can break free from harmful thoughts and behaviors. They can develop a renewed sense of strength and resilience.

Through a combination of education, skill-building, and compassionate care, trauma therapy helps individuals release the mental, physical, and emotional burdens of their past.

Despite these benefits, many people hesitate to seek therapy for trauma. Some fear revisiting painful memories, worried that it may intensify their distress.

Some grapple with feelings of shame or guilt, believing they should handle their past trauma and trauma responses on their own.

There may be a fear judgment if they open up about their experiences.

Cultural stigmas around mental health can also discourage people from seeking the help they need.

While these barriers can be a challenge to overcome, it is important to remember that healing is possible with the right therapist.

A trauma-informed therapist provides a safe, compassionate space to process your experiences. They offer understanding, empathy, and guidance.

Having a skilled trauma-informed professional by your side can be incredibly supportive as you navigate the complexities of past trauma. Trauma therapy changes people’s lives.

Types of Trauma Therapy Approaches

There are many trauma-informed approaches to helping someone through their trauma that go beyond traditonal talk therapy. While this list is not exhaustive, it is an intro to some highly regarded approaches

Different trauma therapy modalities include (not limited to):

EMDR therapy:

Read More: “Understanding EMDR Therapy and Ways It Can Support You on Your Healing Journey”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR therapy uses eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic memories stored in the brain and body.

This is a structured approach to reprocessing traumatic memories through guided preparation, resourcing and exposure therapy with a trained EMDR therapist.

Brainspotting: 

Is a guided process with a trained Brainspotting therapist.

The practice uses various points in a client’s field of vision along with focused mindfulness to process trauma held in subcortical regions of brain.

In addition to being helpful with trauma, Brainspotting is also helpful with performance anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression, addiction and more.

IFS (Internal Family Systems):

A type of therapy that identifies and works with protective “parts” of a person. These “parts” are held beliefs, stories and responses that develop to protect from harm.

These parts activate as though there is danger in situations when there is no present danger.

This compassionate, non-pathologizing approach can be helpful for trauma survivors to understand more about their behaviors, beliefs and emotions that have developed in response to trauma.

Through guidance from an IFS trained therapist, people experience compassionate Self-lead healing of these parts.

Somatic Experiencing or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy:

These body-based therapies involve a process of releasing trauma through body sensations and awareness guided by a trained somatic or sensorimotor therapist.

Rather than talking about the sensations felt in the body as a result of stored traumatic memories, somatic therapies focus on these sensations like the felt sense of anxiety, the tension in your chest etc.

A trained somatic or sensorimotor therapist will use breathing, movement, and other body focused approaches to guide the client to feeling release in their body.

Ket@mine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP):

Read More: “Brainspotting Therapy: Improving Performance, Recovery, and Mental Health”

Uses altered states for deeper processing alongside talk therapy and other integrative practices. Integration of the altered state experience is essential in supporting trauma processing with a trained KAP therapist.

Neurofeedback:

A form of treatment that can help to alleviate symptoms of trauma through training specific brain regions that are often impacted by trauma to improve functioning and restore balance.

What to Expect During a Trauma Therapy Session

Trauma therapists personalize individual trauma therapy based on client’s needs and desires. Trauma therapists focus on creating a safe, supportive space for individuals to process their experiences at their own pace.

Sessions may involve:

Building Rapport:

Establishing safety and trust is developed through relationship between the therapist and client.

Feeling safe, connected with, and supported by the trauma therapist is critical in trauma therapy.

It is especially important with those who may have difficulty with vulnerability or have experienced relational traumas, like emotional abuse or neglect.

Safety and trust is defined by the client, not the therapist.

Values, Skills &; Strengths Exploring:

Identifying core values, self-advocacy methods, and coping strategies are important to supporting trauma therapy. These tools and resources help in building resilience.

Choice, Collaboration & Connection:

Trauma therapists encourage clients to make choices in their trauma therapy. A trauma therapist will seek to establish a meaningful, supportive connection with their client.

They will collaborate with their client in deciding what therapy approach to use. The client and therapist will decide together, how to pace trauma therapy sessions.

Reconnection & Integration:

Trauma therapists help clients integrate new insights about themselves and their trauma. They work with clients to help them reconnect with themselves, others, and their environment.

Clients learn to apply their new insights to their relationships. They are more in control of their responses.

Embodied Resilience & Resolution of Shame:

Trauma therapists support clients in embracing their newfound resilience. Clients experience a reduction in the impact of triggers, many of which are based in shame.

The Importance of Self-Care During the Healing Process

Healing from trauma is a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and consistency.

Read More: “The Secret To Self Care”

While trauma therapy is one part of this process, self-care outside of the therapy space is equally important.

Engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being can positively complement the work being done in the therapy room.

Movement and Nutrition:

This includes regular movement, eating foods that feel good to your body, and getting sufficient sleep.

Physical activity, even something as simple as a daily walk, can help regulate stress hormones, improve mood, and support overall mental health.

Similarly, nourishing your body with healthy foods supports your brain and nervous system. It provides the essential nutrients needed to function optimally.

Body-based Treatments:

Many find that combining therapy with body-based practices, like massage, acupuncture, or Reiki, helps release tension and trauma stored in the body.

These methods can lead to more relaxation, raise body awareness, and calm the nervous system.

Spiritual and mindfulness practices:

Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga can help trauma therapy. They can foster a deeper sense of peace and connection.

These practices help ground the mind and body. They allow individuals to reconnect with themselves in a safe and gentle way.

For some, exploring spiritual beliefs or engaging in rituals can be a meaningful part of their healing journey. These can provide comfort and a sense of purpose.

Reducing or Eliminating Substance Use:

Eliminating or reducing the use of substances like alcohol, caffeine, or recreational drugs can help stabilize mood and improve emotional regulation.

Often people use substance to help manage symptoms of trauma. While they may be helpful in the moment, the long-term effects can cause more life stress.

This can be hard to do as this is one of those examples of “what’s wired together fires together”.

Substances can be a first response to coping if the brain is wired to find relief in using substances. Reducing or eliminating substances can also support creating a more solid foundation for therapy.

Group Therapy and Support Groups:

Engaging in group therapy or support groups is another valuable option. Sharing experiences with others who understand can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community and validation.

Group settings offer opportunities to build connections, learn from others, and practice communication and interpersonal skills in a safe environment.

Combining these complementary practices with trauma therapy can create a more supportive healing approach. It would allow clients to address their mind, body, and spirit.

Supportive Community:

Beyond individual practices, a supportive environment plays a key role in recovery.

Read More: “How To Develop Healthy Habits That Support Trauma Healing”

Surrounding yourself with people who are understanding, empathetic, and trustworthy can provide a sense of safety and connection, which is vital for healing.

Whether it’s family, friends, or support groups, having a network of people who encourage and uplift you can make a significant difference in your journey.

Rest:

Making time for rest while engaging in trauma therapy and self-care activities is important. Too much self-care can lead to self-care burnout.

Ensuring you get enough rest, in combination with other supportive activitiesalso helps the nervous system.

Finding a Trauma Therapist in Denver

While many therapists have experience treating trauma, those who specialize in trauma therapy receive additional training to better address the complex needs of clients.

A trauma-informed therapist offers a safe, empathetic, and structured space. They help clients face past traumas and regain control over their lives.

At Denver Metro Counseling, our clinicians use evidence-based methods to support clients on their path to recovery. Our therapists are trained in EMDR therapy, Brainspotting, and other trauma-informed therapies.

We understand the complexities of trauma and are committed to helping you find a way forward that feels empowering and sustainable. Healing from a past trauma is possible.

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Denver Therapist, Lauren Battista

Lauren Battista is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Denver, Colorado. Lauren is a trained Brainspotting and EMDR therapist.

She is certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and utilizes these approaches – and others – as indicated to support her clients needs.

Lauren is a curious, compassionate, and encouraging therapist.

Her clients appreciate the care she takes with them as they navigate difficult life experiences.

To learn more about Lauren, visit her page on our website or her profile @lb_does_therapy