Trauma-Informed Therapy

how can it Help?

Psychological trauma is a response to directly experiencing or witnessing distressing events or experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to emotionally regulate and function even once returned to a safe environment. Experiencing extraordinary events such as rape, abuse, natural disasters, war, accidents or violence can lead to trauma, as can any other event which shatters an individual’s sense of security, safety and stability.

Symptoms of Trauma

Common warning signs of trauma include feelings of fear, helplessness, anxiety, shame, sadness and confusion, as well as changes in mood, behaviour, and relationships. Trauma affects people differently and may develop immediately or as a delayed response to a traumatic event. However, once established, trauma is pervasive and can often seriously impact physical as well as mental health. 

The following are symptoms particularly associated with trauma:

Intrusive Thoughts or Flashbacks: Recurring memories or flashbacks that make it hard to focus or function.

Difficulty Regulating Emotions: Feeling persistently angry, sad, numb, or on edge and hypervigilant.

Sleep or Concentration Problems: Struggling with sleep or feeling anxious, irritable, or distracted.

Avoidance: Avoiding certain places, people, or activities that trigger traumatic memories.

Physical Symptoms: Experiencing headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension without a clear medical cause.

Changes in Relationships: Difficulty trusting others, withdrawal from social connections, or feeling disconnected.

Self-Destructive Behaviors: Engaging in harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse, self-harm, or risky activities.

How a Trauma-Informed Therapist can Help

Trauma-informed therapists come from a range of theoretical backgrounds and there is no special therapeutic intervention that they all employ. Rather, trauma-informed therapists are trained to help clients by creating a safe and supportive environment that recognizes the effects of trauma on their clients’ lives. They are sensitive to the way that past trauma can shape emotional, physical and behavioural responses and acknowledge and understand how this often affects one’s ability to trust, feelings of self-worth and the ability to cope with stress.

In particular, trauma-informed therapy supports clients through:

Safety and Trust Building: Creating a sense of safety, both physically and emotionally, during sessions is a priority for trauma-informed therapists. Trust-building is also essential for clients who may have experienced betrayal or harm.

Empowerment and Choice: Trauma often robs people of their sense of agency. Prioritising client empowerment includes ensuring that clients are in control of their therapy process, such as the pace of sessions and the topics discussed. Building a client’s confidence in their ability to make choices can help reduce feelings of powerlessness.

Acknowledging Trauma Responses: Trauma-informed therapists have specialised training to recognise common trauma responses like hypervigilance, dissociation and emotional numbness. This sensitivity and knowledge helps therapists to respond with compassion and appropriate therapeutic interventions, normalising the trauma response and reducing shame and self-blame.

Developing Emotional Regulation Skills: Emotional dysregulation is a common sign of trauma. Developing skills and techniques to manage intense emotions is vital for healthy emotional regulation. Trauma-informed therapists help clients develop their own self-soothing skills to cope with intense emotions whenever they may experience them.  

Building Resilience: Focusing on a client’s passed strengths and coping skills, alongside developing new coping strategies and healthy patterns, helps develop client confidence for future challenges.

Promoting Self-Compassion and Healing: It can be hard for those who have experienced trauma to treat themselves with kindness and compassion. Trauma-informed therapists focus of helping clients replace self-criticism with self-acceptance and understanding.

If you or someone close to you has experienced trauma and you would like someone to talk to, reach out to Unicorn Care today.