Types of Therapy for Trauma
All of us experience trauma during our lifetimes. Although we wish this were different for people, at times it’s an unavoidable part of life. After those experiences our systems tend to self-regulate and work out whatever the stored parts of that trauma are. However, sometimes that doesn't happen, and parts of that trauma can get stored in our system. Later in our lives that trauma can either get triggered and we experience similar thoughts, emotions, and physical or somatic reactions, or our system has created protective parts to keep us from getting triggered or to soothe us once we are. This can be distressing, challenging, and overwhelming, as well as cause issues in your personal and interpersonal life. Thankfully there are some wonderful therapies that can help process and resolve the stored trauma.
In this blog we’ll talk about some of the most common therapies used to help people heal from trauma, explain how they work, and go over whether it might be a good fit for you. Keep in mind this is just an overview and our therapists at Elument are happy to give a free consultation to go more in depth.
What is Trauma?
First, trauma comes in different forms and from different places. Some can be single event trauma like a car accident, assault, or natural disaster. Other trauma can be more repetitive and relational in nature, like childhood abuse or neglect. Regardless of source trauma affects everyone differently and it can have lasting impacts on your mental, emotional, and even physical health.
Thankfully, healing internalized and stuck trauma is possible.
Option 1: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
We’re admittedly big fans of KAP, but it's because we’ve seen the trauma healing that our clients have experienced. As a quick reKAP, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy combines ketamine and psychotherapy to help you reconnect with your inner healing ability in a supported and compassionate space.
KAP can help you explore difficult emotions, break through mental blocks, and gain insights into your trauma that might otherwise be inaccessible, too challenging, or blocked from your ability to self-heal. The KAP process involves preparation prior to psychedelic sessions to help clients learn their systems, see where trauma may be stored and showing up in their lives, and get ready for their psychedelic sessions. After each KAP session, clients integrate their experience with their therapist. This helps continue the healing, processing, and reconsolidation. This is also often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, like IFS, EMDR, and SE (see below) both during the KAP sessions as well as during preparation and integration.
Why it works for trauma: Psychedelics and their non-ordinary states of consciousness help provide space for inner healing to happen. Ketamine can also give some space from somatic reactivity that often creates overwhelm in the system and prevents clients from approaching certain parts of themselves. For many people who haven’t found relief through traditional therapies, KAP offers a new path toward healing.
Option 2: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is one of the longer standing approaches to working with trauma. Used since the 1980s, EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy in that it doesn’t involve much talking during the actual intervention – more so noticing an internal experience and allowing your system to process the trauma. During the process, the therapist will activate alternate hemispheres of the client’s brain through eye movements, tapping or tactile input, or sounds which helps your system get in touch with its ability to self-heal.
Why it works for trauma: EMDR offers a way to process trauma stuck in the body through an evidence-based and very well researched approach. It has been used for decades to help people move past their past trauma efficiently and effectively. Reprocessing both the cognitive or mental part of trauma along with the somatic pieces helps provide a comprehensive approach to working on trauma.
Option 3: Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Trauma lives in both our minds and our bodies. Somatic Experiencing (SE) helps clients release the physical tension, stress, and stored charge in their body related to trauma. Developed by Peter Levine, it utilizes a combination of physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics.
In SE, the client focuses on increasing bodily awareness and gently internally guiding the release of unresolved tension and the stored charge of trauma. SE works by utilizing your system’s natural healing capacity rather than cognitively processing through the details of the trauma. It allows clients to gradually release the built-up somatic charge of trauma and move towards a more regulated, safe, and calm central nervous system.
Why it works for trauma: Our bodies store trauma sometimes even when we don’t have cognitions or memories attached. Somatic Experiencing works because it addresses the body’s physical response and storage of trauma. By doing so it helps complete interrupted stress cycles and self-regulate back to a sense of emotional regulation. By utilizing mindfulness, the body’s natural ability to heal, and gradually releasing stored energy, the central nervous system gravitates towards regulation. With this comes less emotional and cognitive reactivity and a deeper sense of balance.
Option 4: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that’s designed specifically for trauma. TF-CBT combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions to help clients process stuck traumatic experiences and ultimately move past them. During sessions the therapist will work with you to develop coping skills for trauma triggers, improve emotional regulation, and help directly reprocess the trauma.
TF-CBT is a structured approach that is usually 8-25 sessions and has been extensively studied for PTSD as well as other trauma. Most of its research has been with children and adolescents, but it is also effectively used with adults.
Why it works for trauma: TF-CBT is structured and goal-oriented which helps it be straightforward in application and results.
Option 5: Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS therapy is based on the conceptualization that people are led by a core Self which is naturally curious, compassionate, calm, clear, courageous, confident, creative, and connected. We also have multiple parts, or sub-personalities, that can either store past trauma and can get triggered, or protective parts that help prevent triggering or de-escalate the system once triggered. Each of these parts have different perspectives, beliefs, emotions, and somatic responses. In IFS, you work with your therapist to explore these parts and understand how they interact within you.
IFS works towards healing by helping clients access and heal their wounded parts by utilizing the system’s natural ability to heal through Self connection. By utilizing inner and outer connectedness and access to the healing Self, healing can be brought from within the client to their own system.
Why it works for trauma: IFS helps clients heal their own systems through close facilitation and connection with a therapist. It is non-pathologizing, somatic, and evidence based.
Finding the Right Fit for You
Choosing a therapist and therapeutic approach that resonates with you can involve some time, research, and discernment. This can be especially true when you’re thinking of working on trauma which can often bring up significant reactions within our systems. One thing to note is that many therapists, like those at Elument, are trained in numerous approaches and combine them to help create an individualized plan for you.
If you’re curious about how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or any of the other approaches, could fit into your healing journey or want to explore any of these therapies further, we’re here to help. At Elument, we offer a heavily supported and compassionate space to help you heal from trauma in a way that feels aligned with your needs and experiences.
Remember, healing and moving to a higher state of functioning is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to learn more about the therapy options that might work best for you.