Trauma Work
Trauma can take on many different forms.
Don’t be too quick to dismiss that you have experienced trauma in your life. Many people think of trauma in a limited way. But trauma can look many different ways.
“Big T” trauma is what most people are familiar with. This includes things like being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, a near-death experience, fighting in a war, serious car accidents, shootings, and natural disasters.
But there is also “little t” trauma which can cause just as serious of an impact on your life. This includes things like emotional abuse, losing a loved one, or experiencing continued stress from things like financial strain or systemic injustice.
This can also include incidents or experiences that you believe would be perceived by others as “no big deal,” but that made a world of difference in your perspective and trajectory.
Regardless of how “big” or “little” you think your trauma was, there are several treatment options that can help you process it healthily.
Trauma can impact every area of your life.
Trauma that is not properly dealt with can cause you to struggle with things like:
- Anxiety and depression
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Fatigue, trouble sleeping, and/or nightmares
- Fear of the situations or events happening again
- Flashbacks
Undealt with trauma can also cause you to experience chronic health problems. This could include cardiovascular issues, trouble with your stomach or digestive system, breathing problems, and more.
The impact of trauma can also put you at a higher risk for substance use disorders. It’s not uncommon for people to turn to drugs or alcohol to avoid the emotional pain they’re feeling.
When you experience these types of symptoms, it can impact every area of your life such as your ability to focus at work, how you interact in relationships, and how you feel about yourself.
We want to help you process and overcome trauma so you can live your best life.
Trauma can impact every area of your life.
Trauma that is not properly dealt with can cause you to struggle with things like:
- Anxiety and depression
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Fatigue, trouble sleeping, and/or nightmares
- Fear of the situations or events happening again
- Flashbacks
Undealt with trauma can also cause you to experience chronic health problems. This could include cardiovascular issues, trouble with your stomach or digestive system, breathing problems, and more.
The impact of trauma can also put you at a higher risk for substance use disorders. It’s not uncommon for people to turn to drugs or alcohol to avoid the emotional pain they’re feeling.
When you experience these types of symptoms, it can impact every area of your life such as your ability to focus at work, how you interact in relationships, and how you feel about yourself.
We want to help you process and overcome trauma so you can live your best life.
Trauma is stored in the body.
When you experience a traumatic situation the energy you feel can become trapped in your body. This is what can lead to the different symptoms that you experience.
Research has found that there are effective ways to release this energy which also helps you to process and release trauma. At Best Life Louisville, we have trauma therapists who are experienced in the following types of Trauma-Focused Therapy:
Brainspotting and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
These two types of therapy are successful at helping people who have experienced trauma.
Years ago, professionals believed that recovering from trauma took a long time to process and overcome. But research found that brainspotting and EMDR were able to help people make progress much faster.
During these sessions, your therapist will help you access the area where you’re storing the emotions associated with trauma. This helps you to address the trauma instead of letting it fester. And your therapist will help you begin to replace the negative so you can continue to move forward and heal in a healthy way.
Here’s a little more information if you want to know more about how they work:
Brainspotting
It’s been found that where you look impacts different parts of your brain. During brainspotting therapy, your therapist will guide you through looking in different positions while they speak with you. This will help the two of you to identify the place you need to look that is connected with the feelings and emotions you have stored as a result of trauma.
Through this process, your therapist will help you work through the emotions you’re experiencing and replace them with more positive feelings.
Brainspotting therapy can be done as the sole form of treatment but is often combined with talk therapy to continue the progress made.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy used to reduce the distress that you experience as a result of trauma.
Like brainspotting therapy, EMDR works to tap into and replace the negative feelings and emotions related to the traumatic experience and memory. Your therapist will guide you through focusing on something such as a certain way to move your eyes as you work through difficult emotions and memories from trauma.
This helps you begin to associate the memories of the experience with something new to replace the difficult emotions you experienced before.
Find your path to recovery
Our therapists want to help you find and navigate the path to trauma recovery. Whether you experienced a major traumatic event or have been exposed to ongoing trauma, our team of therapists is trained to help you process it and move forward in a healthy way.
If you are ready to regain your life and overcome trauma, take the first step and call us today at (502) 333-9466.