Trauma occurs when a person experiences an event or act that overwhelmingly impacts their real or perceived, physical or emotional security. Individuals suffering from trauma may seem “fine” in many situations, but respond with horror, fear, or anger when something in their environment recalls the devastating event.
Unfortunately, traumatic events are not uncommon. 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives, in the form of medical intervention, childhood abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, community violence, war, grief and loss, natural disasters, etc.
The good news is that more and more people are seeking trauma therapy, because they’ve learned that the effects of a trauma can be devastating. Roughly one in three children who witness community violence, for example, will develop PTSD as a result. The presence of trauma also consistently correlates with a variety of health concerns, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more.
If you or a loved one is suffering with trauma, set up a free consultation to see how the trauma-informed therapists at Neema can help.
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy, or PTSD therapy, is simply a series of sessions with a trauma-informed counselor, that focuses on understanding the traumatic event that took place and healing the emotional and mental consequences of that trauma. There are a few common strategies for trauma therapy, including:
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) focuses on the thoughts and emotions related to, or springing from, the traumatic event, to challenge irrational or incorrect thinking and develop coping strategies to better manage symptoms.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy spends more time and energy on exposing and analyzing the past traumatic event and how it continues to impact the individual.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) uses an external signal such as eye movement or tapping to direct the individual’s attention outward as they discuss the traumatic event.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a very structured form of CBT, specifically developed for individuals suffering from PTSD.
Just as different people respond to trauma in different ways, every survivor needs a different blend of trauma therapy. The informed counselors at Neema will get to know you first, and will then incorporate or provide referrals for whatever treatment approach is appropriate to help you find the grace you need to heal.
Does trauma counseling really help?
Most people who consistently attend trauma therapy sessions are able to reduce their symptoms and develop the skills they need to manage symptoms when they do occur. There is no therapy or medication that can undo a traumatic event in an individual’s history, but trauma-informed counseling can help you understand its effects so they no longer control you.
What about online therapy for trauma and PTSD?
Cognitive and psychodynamic therapies are talk-based strategies that have proven just as effective via online sessions as they are in-person.
It is difficult to get out sometimes—whether you’re a busy parent, a busy student, a one-car household, a one-parent household, sheltering at home, etc. We get it. Neema’s trauma therapy offices are located in Austin and Houston, but our counselors also offer online trauma therapy across the state of Texas. Stay home, stay comfortable, stay safe—but don’t let it prevent you from getting the healing that you need as a trauma survivor.
Get counseling for your trauma and take your life back.
If you’ve experienced trauma, it will always be a part of your story, but it doesn’t have to be the main event. You’re a survivor, and the counselors at Neema are here to make sure you have the insights and tools that you need. We are confident that there is hope and healing in your future, and we want to help you get there.