Trauma Therapy Explained
How does therapy work with a trauma-informed therapist?
The therapeutic relationship is the initial component which must be developed and is fluid throughout the counselling sessions. The primary assessment evaluates the psychological stability of the client, their immediate safety, the safety of others, and their ability to discuss their trauma. Suicide, future abuse from the perpetrator and medical state and history, including pharmaceutical prescriptions, are included in this assessment and are questions which may be asked. An adult client who is actively being abused in their home environment should prioritize their physical safety prior to receiving treatment. Furthermore, your trauma informed therapist will seek out an effective safety plan procedure for the client with the use of referrals and community support.
What should I expect with trauma therapy?
Once trust and rapport are built by your empathetic and nonjudgmental therapist, the beginning assessment asks your reason(s) to attend counselling. One goal of the trauma therapist is to become knowledgeable about the traumatic events and how this has impacted your daily life. You describe the traumatic experiences at your own pace, with tools and strategies readily available to assist you by the therapist. A trauma therapist will consistently demonstrate comfortability through their body language, facial expressions, and vocal tone regarding the details you wish to share. We do not judge you and you are given unconditional positive self-regard.
Another goal will be to collaboratively complete an adequate safety and risk assessment to assure you are safe. This can extend to creating a safety plan, to support your well-being. Once details about you are collected, known as a case conceptualization, we can work together on a treatment plan. This plan can be adjusted at any time to make sure your needs are met and to address new concerns you may have. All these steps are taken with consideration of your individual comfort level. Your feelings of security and safety are the main priority of your therapist.
Lastly, trauma-informed therapy provides skills and techniques which can be used as coping strategies. There are ways to self-regulate during stressful, triggering or high anxiety provoking situations, and these strategies are unique to each person. Trauma- therapy approaches do recognize the neuropsychology of trauma and the impact stress responses can have on the nervous system. This is why trauma therapy will be different and unique to each person. Here at Changing Tides Counseling, we believe in empowering our clients and being transparent throughout the counselling experience, while providing psychoeducation and resources to prepare you for this next step of your life.
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