So you discovered that you have past trauma, and some of your symptoms may be a result of unhealed trauma. It is all starting to make sense. And yet, you may be wondering, can trauma really be healed, and if so, what does this even look like? How long will it take? Read on to find out my responses to these common questions.
Have You Experienced Trauma?
Everyone in this lifetime will experience some sort of trauma. In fact, if you have been alive during the 2020 pandemic, congratulations, you have survived a traumatic event. Trauma in the clinical sense is defined by an "exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence." This exposure can be either direct (an individual endured the event) or indirect (witnessing the event happening to another). Indirect exposure also includes learning of the event happening to a close other or experiencing repeated exposure to traumatic events such as through a career (think first responders and police officers).
Although many will witness or endure a traumatic event, this does not automatically result in PTSD or trauma-like symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms can happen later on in life. For example, a big part of the trauma response is forgetting the event - this is a coping mechanism to help you survive and attend to daily tasks of living. At some point, however, individuals may begin experiencing flashbacks, dissociative reactions, distressing dreams, or other post-traumatic symptoms. These symptoms may be triggered by an event or may occur without prompting. When choosing to do the healing work, individuals also often remember parts of the traumatic experience that they repressed.
You Experienced Trauma. Now What?
Healing trauma is a brave endeavor. There is no one way to do it, and many individuals find their own unique path. There are many self-help books that are geared towards trauma healing and understanding how trauma works. In my own healing journey, I was eager to discover all possible outlets and modalities, utilizing the black-and-white thinking that my trauma left me with. What I didn't realize is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and what one person needs for healing may not work for another. Trauma therapy is a unique specialty of the practice of psychotherapy and can consist of EMDR therapy, somatic trauma therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or other modalities. Although I recommend seeking counseling for trauma and working with a professional, please note that this is not the only approach to healing. Sometimes, individuals need counseling or therapy in addition to other modalities (such as exercising, meditation, yoga, energy healing, etc.).
Here's some of what I have found in trauma healing work with my clients as a holistic therapist:
Everyone's trauma blueprint is very different
Trauma processing requires active releasing/processing of traumatic events, emotions, and somatic symptoms. EMDR therapy and somatic trauma therapy aim to achieve exactly that.
It is important to understand the roots and origins of your traumas in order to do meaningful healing work
A key facet of continuing healing work between sessions is gaining effective tools and resources to regulate your nervous system for any triggers or activations that may arise; one way this can be achieved is through DBT.
You've Started Actively Healing Your Trauma, and It Sucks!
Ah, yes, this phase of healing (as any other) brings about various challenges. I've had many clients enter trauma therapy very reluctantly, afraid to look at what is actually going on and what has happened in their lives that is contributing to their symptoms. Once they do the trauma healing work, it does not always look pretty. It hurts, and it sucks. But the good news is that it won't always be this way. The only way out is through. Just stay with it, and you will keep sifting through, one piece at a time. Keep seeking knowledge and trust your instincts if something doesn't feel in alignment or if you require a different modality for your healing. After all, healing trauma is a complex journey.
Is Healing Trauma Really Possible Though?
The good news is, yes, it absolutely is. The bad news is that healing trauma is a lifelong journey. However, this does not necessarily have to be bad news if you accept this fact. If you've gone through trauma, the truth is that even with significant healing under your belt, you are still likely to experience various triggers in your life. You are never going to be fully "cured" or "free of trauma." By doing trauma work (either on your own or by receiving counseling for trauma), the goal is to understand your triggers and trauma blueprint (I also like to call this the architecture of your trauma). Then, you process active components of your trauma and release stuck emotions and body sensations (think somatic trauma therapy). This should give you more breathing room in your day-to-day life to not be so severely impacted by past traumatic events. Concurrently, you should be learning tools that work for you in regulating your nervous system outside of therapy. With greater awareness of your trauma architecture, you will be able to manage real-time activations and recognize potential triggers early on (such as family events or social gatherings), apply your knowledge and self-regulation coping tools, and overcome activations much more easily than previously. You'll also get to choose to live your life differently by picking environments (social, work, etc.) and people who contribute to your safety; you will no longer operate from a trauma state and create more unsafety for yourself.
As a holistic therapist specializing in trauma therapy, I love working with individuals who are navigating healing from various traumas. I enjoy watching people progress and have "A-ha" moments that bring them clarity. If you are unsure if trauma therapy is for you, feel free to reach out or schedule a free consult call.
Comments