Why Is Trauma Therapy So Hard? Understanding the Process
By: Maria Inoa
Oct 25, 2024
In this guide on why is trauma therapy so hard, we will dive into the topic of trauma covering what trauma is, types of trauma, and goals for trauma healing. We'll look at common challenges to trauma treatment, effective therapeutic approaches, and the role of the trauma therapist in trauma work.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is typically thought to be a negative event that we experience. However, though this is the case, trauma is actuallyour physical and emotional reaction to a negative event. Yes, there are events that are clearly traumatic, such as natural disasters, the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, and a bad car accident, but trauma is our internal response to a painful memory.
Types of Trauma
There are many different types of trauma. First, there are single-incident traumas, with just one distressing incident. Chronic trauma is where the same kind of traumatic experience goes on for a period of time. There is also complex trauma, which involves being exposed to multiple, varied traumatic events. Below, we'll look at several other common forms of trauma.
Childhood trauma refers to distressing events that occur during infancy, childhood, and the teenage years. This includes developmental trauma, which is repeated or chronic exposure to traumatic events during the childhood years.
Medical trauma involves events involving any doctor's visits or surgeries. This could include birth trauma, which has, thankfully, become more widely understood and acknowledged.
Natural disasters cover a broad range of weather-related events. It does not have to be catastrophic for a person to feel symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sexual abuse includes any type of abuse involving the genitalia. Sexual abuse can occur during childhood or adulthood. However, the phrase "sexual abuse" is typically used to describe abuse perpetrated by an older person to a child or vulnerable adult. Sexual abuse during adulthood is usually referred to as sexual assault.
Physical abuse includes any abuse that intentionally harms the other person's physical body.
Combat-related trauma refers to events our soldiers experience while deployed, especially those on the battlefield.
The last trauma we will touch on is traumatic grief, which is the sudden loss of a loved one. Even when it is not sudden, the loss of a loved one, such as to a chronic illness or disease, can create trauma for those witnessing it.
It's important to note that to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, you do not have to have personally experienced the traumatic event. The official criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder now have broadened to include not just those who experienced the traumatic event but also those who witnessed the event and those who learned about a family member or close friend having experienced a life-threatening event.
The Goals of Trauma Therapy
Trauma treatment aims to increase the client's overall well-being in their daily life. This is done by decreasing the triggers related to traumatic experiences. This includes PTSD symptoms. The traumatic memory cannot be erased, but we can change the impact of trauma. However, the associated emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and sensations can all be modified into something more neutral. This allows the person to no longer be triggered. They leave the trauma therapy experience feeling free, more peaceful, empowered, and hopeful for the future.
Common Challenges in Trauma Therapy
It takes a lot of courage to show up for trauma therapy sessions and be willing to address painful memories. One challenge to trauma treatment is that trauma therapy has a level of emotional intensity. A well-trained trauma therapist will know how to guide you at the right speed through the trauma-healing process. Teaching you new coping strategies is a big part of trauma work. These coping strategies will likely be different than ones you've learned in the past in traditional talk therapy. Some people are not very in touch with their emotions and either avoid, ignore, or push them away. It can be challenging to face painful memories, but that's why having a good trauma therapist who can guide you through the healing process is crucial. The trauma therapist will gather a lot of information on your trauma history initially so as to best determine how much preparation work is needed. Below, we will discuss how to take care of yourself during your healing journey.
Another challenge is re-experiencing the traumatic event. A well-trained trauma therapist will also ensure that the therapy sessions move at the right pace for you. This is to avoid flashbacks and/or panic attacks. There are times when it is almost unavoidable. Still, the majority of the time, by getting a thorough trauma history and understanding of your current situation, the trauma therapist will know how slow to take things.
Another challenge is when the therapist is not the right fit for you. If you don't feel you can trust your trauma therapist, then you're not going to get anything out of your therapy sessions. It's crucial to choose a well-trained mental health professional whom you feel safe with and connected to.
The last challenge we will mention is slow progress. Many variables could contribute to slow progress. Most importantly, the therapist needs to be highly trained in trauma work to correctly guide you through the trauma-healing process. A big area that can cause slow progress is if the client dissociates. The client may not even be aware that they dissociate, but this should always be assessed in the initial stages of trauma therapy.
The Role of the Trauma Therapist
Whether you meet in person or virtually, a well-trained trauma therapist will create a safe space. They will continuously communicate with the client to ensure the client feels safe and in control of the therapy sessions.
The initial trauma therapy sessions are for gathering information about the client's history and current circumstances. It's important to get a thorough trauma history. At the same time, the therapist and client are building trust and rapport as they get to know one another. This is is referred to as the therapeutic alliance or therapeutic relationship. The therapist and client are a team working towards the client's therapy goals.
It is imperative that you choose a therapist that is trauma-trained, NOT just trauma-informed. Trauma-informed care indicates the therapist has some knowledge of trauma. However, trauma-trained means the therapist has put the time and effort into getting advanced training in a trauma approach such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. Trauma-informed therapy will not resolve past trauma. A well-trained trauma therapist will utilize an evidence-based approach to healing trauma.
Effective Trauma Therapy Approaches
There are multiple treatment options when it comes to healing trauma. Below we will talk about four of the most common options.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This form of therapy is one of the most well-known in the therapy world. CBT is based on the idea that we may have faulty patterns of thinking that are then creating unhealthy patterns of behavior. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy seeks to help you challenge your patterns of thinking or negative thoughts, which are referred to as cognitive distortions. It can help you to challenge unhealthy behaviors and better understand the motivation of others. CBT utilizes "homework" to help you practice your new coping skills.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an 8-phase approach to healing past traumatic experiences. EMDR focuses on healing your present triggers or PTSD symptoms, as well as healing the past traumatic events that caused them. EMDR also helps the person prepare for the future by increasing their ability to handle situations that may have been bothersome in the past. The basis of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, which utilizes brain science to reprocess negative memories into healthier versions. It desensitizes the thoughts, feelings, sensations, and beliefs connected to the traumatic event.
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic experiencing focuses on the belief that trauma accumulates in our bodies and nervous systems. The goal is to heal the nervous system by moving it out of flight, fight, or freeze. This modality seeks to find and release where the person feels stuck and there is a traumatic shock.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy helps the person to see themselves as separate from their problems. Instead of thinking you are bad, you actually just made a mistake. Narrative therapy focuses on the idea of telling your life story in a way that is healthier by breaking down problematic storylines. It does this by breaking your life journey down into smaller chunks and looking at specific storylines that you've told yourself. Narrative therapy helps you to move towards healthier storylines for your future.
Strategies for Coping with the Difficulties of Trauma Therapy
Having healthy coping mechanisms is a must when doing any type of therapy sessions. First, it's important to plan your sessions on days and times that make sense for you. It is often not helpful to schedule trauma therapy sessions during your work day unless you have flexibility to give yourself time afterwards to reorient to your day.
Secondly, allow yourself to get lots of rest. Not just sleep at night but naps or downtime where you just sit or lay there.
Third, is to connect with loved ones. Tap into your support network and make sure you are spending time with family members, friends, and loved ones that make you feel safe and loved throughout the trauma healing process.
Fourth, you should use writing to help you process thoughts and feelings as they come up in between sessions.
Fifth, utilize grounding exercises. This means practicing being in the present moment by tapping into one or more of your senses. One example is to close your eyes, and while you breathe, listen to the different sounds around you. Another example is to smell a calming scent by lighting a candle, using an essential oil, or creating a simmer pot on your stove.
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing is always a game changer in helping to bring more peace and calm into your body. You don't have to use any fancy technique but can simply practice taking 5-10 slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. The more you practice this the more you will feel calmer inside.
The Benefits of Persevering Through Trauma Therapy
The trauma healing process can be super rewarding as long as you commit to the process by showing up regularly to your trauma therapy sessions. It won't take long for you to begin to notice that you are reacting differently to day-to-day life, especially to people, places, and things that used to be triggering or bothersome. You will notice feeling less anger, sadness, and frustration but more calm.
Another huge benefit of trauma therapy sessions is that your relationships will be healthier. This may mean that youdecide to end certain relationships that no longer serve you. It may mean you decide to put in place stronger boundaries for certain people in your life. Overall, you will feel more peace and contentment with your relationships as a result of trauma treatment.
Your overall mental health and well-being will improve as a result of the trauma-healing process. You will likely notice greater self-awareness and improved emotional regulation.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are wanting to heal painful memories from your past, then I congratulate you on being willing to take this brave first step. The rewards of healing trauma are huge. My hope is that the above information on why is trauma therapy so hard empowers you to get started on your healing journey. If you still have questions, please check out my other guides that have a ton of information related to trauma and trauma treatment.
