Trauma Therapy Modalities: Cognitive Approaches for Recovery
Understanding Different Trauma Therapy Modalities: Cognitive Treatment And Recovery
Trauma can have a range of negative effects on mental health. These effects, from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to substance use disorders, can be distressing and add challenges to your life. A range of therapies may help survivors heal, including cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and more.
Understanding trauma
Trauma can be thought of as a reaction to events that are scary, disturbing, or life-threatening. The exact causes of trauma can vary, but some common examples include the following:
- Witnessing or experiencing violence
- Having a life-threatening illness or injury
- Experiencing domestic abuse
- Experiencing sexual assault
- Surviving a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other near-death experience
Types of trauma and their impact
Events like these can affect your emotional and mental well-being. When these effects last a long time and cause challenges in your daily life, you may be living with trauma.
In general, there are three broad types of trauma:
- Acute trauma: Acute trauma can be seen as trauma from a one-time event, like a car crash or a natural disaster.
- Chronic trauma: Chronic trauma can be defined as repeated trauma that continues over time, such as domestic abuse.
- Complex trauma: Like chronic trauma, complex trauma also tends to be repetitive or ongoing. However, complex trauma usually happens during childhood and often involves a caregiver.
PTSD and the long-term effects of trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, may be one of the most well-known effects of trauma. PTSD can involve symptoms like nightmares, disturbing flashbacks, and ongoing feelings of fear. People with PTSD may go out of their way to avoid reminders of their trauma and may withdraw from their relationships and responsibilities.
Beyond PTSD, the long-term effects of trauma may also include substance use disorders, depression, panic disorder, and other mental health challenges.
What is trauma therapy?
Living with trauma can be challenging, especially if you’re experiencing lasting side effects like PTSD. However, treating trauma is often possible with professional support. This is where trauma therapy can be beneficial.
Trauma therapy, sometimes called “trauma-informed therapy,” can be defined as therapy that focuses on the following:
- Understanding the ways trauma can affect people
- Providing a safe and supportive environment for trauma survivors
- Addressing the effects of trauma on survivors’ lives
- Preventing traumatic memories from causing distress in the future
Trauma-informed therapy may help survivors improve their well-being and move forward from their experiences.
How ReachLink approaches trauma therapy
At ReachLink, our licensed clinical social workers are trained in various trauma-informed approaches. We understand that healing from trauma is a deeply personal journey that requires a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship. Our telehealth platform allows clients to engage in therapy from environments where they feel most comfortable, which can be particularly important for trauma survivors who may find new environments triggering.
An overview of trauma therapy modalities
As useful as trauma therapy can be, it may not look the same for everyone. There are several therapeutic techniques a therapist might use to help someone with trauma. These techniques are sometimes called “modalities.” Let’s take a look at a few examples that our licensed clinical social workers at ReachLink may incorporate into your treatment plan.
Cognitive behavioral therapy approaches
Cognitive processing therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, generally focuses on helping individuals change unhelpful thoughts that may be contributing to their difficult feelings and behaviors. Cognitive processing therapy, or CPT, is a type of CBT. As part of the CPT process, clients may be asked to write statements about their trauma, read them aloud, and reflect on them with their therapist during secure video sessions.
Cognitive therapy as part of cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive therapy: Like CPT, cognitive therapy (CT) originates from cognitive-behavioral therapy. The idea behind CT is generally to help trauma survivors reframe the ways they think about and cope with their experiences by changing unhelpful beliefs. Our licensed clinical social workers can guide you through this process during your regular telehealth sessions.
Prolonged exposure
Also known as PE, prolonged exposure therapy usually aims to help trauma survivors overcome feelings of stress or fear related to their experiences. PE typically involves gradually exposing clients to reminders of their trauma over several therapy sessions. The virtual nature of ReachLink’s services can sometimes make this process more manageable, as clients can engage from environments where they already feel safe.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Also known as EMDR, this form of trauma treatment normally focuses on helping survivors process their traumatic memories. During EMDR, clients may move their eyes in specific patterns while thinking about a traumatic memory, which may change the way the memory is stored in the brain. While some elements of EMDR can be adapted for telehealth, our licensed clinical social workers will determine if this approach is suitable for your specific situation and our virtual platform.
Narrative exposure therapy
The goal of narrative exposure therapy, or NET, is primarily to help survivors put traumatic events in context by writing their life stories. Narrative exposure therapy may be helpful for survivors of complex trauma and can be effectively delivered through ReachLink’s secure video sessions.
Though less common, other types of therapy that aren’t specific to trauma may also be used to treat trauma survivors. Some examples include those listed below:
Internal family systems therapy
Internal family systems (IFS) therapy is generally based on the idea that a person’s mind can take on different “sub-personalities” that may affect their behavior. IFS therapy usually focuses on finding balance in this “internal system.” Research has shown that IFS therapy may benefit survivors of childhood trauma. Our licensed clinical social workers can incorporate elements of this approach when appropriate.
Dialectical behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, usually aims to help individuals develop skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and tolerate distress. DBT can be particularly effective for trauma survivors who struggle with emotional regulation and self-destructive behaviors. Our therapists may integrate DBT techniques into your treatment plan when appropriate to support your overall healing process.
In summary, trauma therapy encompasses a variety of evidence-based modalities designed to address the complex and unique effects of traumatic experiences. Whether through cognitive behavioral approaches, exposure techniques, EMDR, or other therapeutic models, ReachLink’s licensed clinical social workers tailor treatment to each client’s needs, ensuring a compassionate and effective path toward recovery.
If you or a loved one are living with the lasting effects of trauma, professional support can be transformative. Trauma therapy not only helps to reduce symptoms but also empowers survivors to reclaim control, build resilience, and move forward with hope. ReachLink is here to guide you every step of the way on your healing journey.
