Trauma can have a devastating impact on a person's mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Fortunately, there are therapies available that can help people recover from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by traumatic experiences. One of the most widely used therapies is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). This form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in helping people heal from trauma in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional psychotherapy. EMDR therapy works by helping to activate the brain's natural healing processes.
It is based on the idea that when a person experiences a traumatic event, their mind's information processing system can become blocked or out of balance. This can cause intense suffering and prevent the person from healing. Through EMDR therapy, therapists use detailed protocols and procedures to help clients remove these blocks and restore balance to their minds. EMDR therapy is most effective for single-event trauma, but it can also be used to treat everyday memories that lead to low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and other issues. Other forms of trauma therapy include expressive art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychotherapy.
Each of these therapies has its own set of evidence-based practices (EBPs) that have been proven to be effective in treating different types of trauma. When undergoing trauma therapy, it is important to remember that every symptom created by the body is a solution to the traumatic event or situation. Your therapist will help you challenge and change unhelpful beliefs about trauma that keep you “stuck”. If you feel distressed during treatment, your therapist will help you return to the present before moving on to another traumatic memory. Trauma therapy can be an effective way to cope with the emotional response caused by a traumatic event. It is important to find a therapist who is experienced in treating trauma and who understands your individual needs.
With the right support, you can learn how to heal from trauma and move forward with your life.
