When it comes to trauma, no two people are the same.
Trauma can stem from a single one off accident or distressing event, major complex life experiences like childhood abuse, neglect or sexual violence, a natural disaster or a less obvious ‘minor’ ongoing event ie: like bullying, living in an emotionally abusive environment.
Unresolved trauma can be devastating which can impact on many aspects of daily living, family life, personal and professional relationships. Unprocessed memories can be stored in the brain in a ‘raw’ form where they can be continually re-evoked when experiencing events that are similar to the original experience. Symptoms can be overwhelming, feeling out of control, associated body reactions and images in your mind.
As with many other therapeutic interventions, there are different types of trauma therapy and it is important that you find the right method and model to suit you.
A complex method of psychotherapy, EMDR is an effective treatment for children and adults who have problems following traumatic experiences. Supported by extensive research, it is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It integrates a range of therapeutic approaches and combines them with eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation which activates the brain’s information processing system.
EMDR can be used for trauma as-well anxiety, panic attacks, depression, stress, grief and loss, phobias, self-esteem. It can be used alone, or may be combined with other approaches, such as creative arts, sandplay, play therapy.
What happens?The client will be asked to think about the worst part of a traumatic memory and to be aware of any feelings, thoughts or body sensations which go with the memory. This memory is then held ‘in mind’ by the client while the therapist encourages them to move their eyes from side to side for a short time, following the therapist’s finger or a light bar.
Following this the therapist will ask the client to ‘blank out’ the memory and then to bring it back and report on any changes. Further bilateral stimulation can then be used with this memory until it is no longer upsetting.
Integrating cognitive and emotional processing in the treatment of trauma, Somatic Therapy is a form of body centered therapy which combines talking therapy and mind-body techniques to bring about positive change.
Somatic Therapy can be used for trauma, abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, problems with relationships, sexual function.
What happens?The client will be helped to revive the trauma memory and pay attention to any physical responses once the memory is recovered. The therapist will use knowledge of the functions of the nervous system to help the client become aware of their body sensations and reactions. A range of physical techniques ie: deep breathing, relaxation exercises, movement will be offered by the therapist and used by the client to help relieve the trauma symptoms.