Trauma Counseling at Hutto Family Counseling

Understanding Trauma

Trauma can really shake up your life, making you feel overwhelmed, isolated, and stuck in a painful cycle. Trauma, as defined by experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, is not just about the bad things that happened, but also about how those events impact your mind and body. It leaves a lasting mark, affecting your emotional well-being, relationships, and sense of safety. Trauma can come from a single event, like an accident, or from ongoing stress, such as abuse or neglect.

It's important to understand that feeling alone or overwhelmed can also lead to trauma, even in situations that might not seem traumatic to others. You are not "crazy" or overreacting; your experience is valid. When you face challenging situations without adequate support, it can leave a significant impact on your mental health. This is why trauma is deeply personal and unique to each individual.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a type of trauma that occurs from repeated, prolonged exposure to traumatic situations, often during childhood. Unlike PTSD, which can develop after a single traumatic event, C-PTSD involves multiple traumas and can deeply affect a person’s sense of self and relationships. The mental health field is discovering more about C-PTSD and how it can lead to emotional regulation difficulties, negative self-perception, and challenges in forming healthy relationships.

We're here to help you navigate these challenges and find your way to healing.

Our Approach to Trauma Therapy

We know that everyone's experience with trauma is different. That's why our trauma therapy is tailored to fit your unique needs and goals. Here are some of the ways we can help:

- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR helps you process and reframe traumatic memories, making them less distressing. SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices-National registry (NREPP) cites EMDR as evidence-based practice for treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms. This means this type of therapy - along with all of these types of therapy - have been researched, had clinical trials and been reviewed by top professionals to prove they are effective treatments.

- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, so you can develop healthier coping strategies. This is a very common therapy and the type most medical professionals are familiar with.

- Somatic Experiencing: This approach focuses on releasing trauma stored in your body by paying attention to physical sensations and movements.

- Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: These practices help you stay present and connected, reducing anxiety and dissociation often linked to trauma. If you are focused on the past or the future, that can cause a lot of distress. When trauma is embedded in our bodies and mind, it’s like a memory/event that is lost in time. We will work to help your mind realize we are in the present. Then, the memory can be put in long term storage in your mind versus being triggered as if it is happening in the moment.

- Sandtray Therapy: Using miniatures and a sandtray, you can create scenes that help you explore and process deep emotions, especially when words aren't enough. This is based on brain and memory science. We’d love to help you experience this unique modality and understand how it really does heal.

- Attachment Therapy: Helping you identify and understand your attachment style. Attachment styles are basically the blue prints we develop in our brain for relationships. Depending on our own attachment experiences, we learn certain ways to be in relationship with others. Strengthening your emotional bonds and relationships can be crucial for trauma recovery, promoting security and trust.

- Interpersonal Neurobiology: This approach looks at how your brain, mind, and relationships interact, supporting healthy brain development and emotional regulation. In a very simplified way - it’s the biology of relationships.

What It Means to Be Trauma-Informed

Being trauma-informed means we always look at things from the perspective of "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?" The book by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry is an amazing read on this very thing and it’s called “What Happened to You”! Being trauma informed is about understanding your story and moving at a pace that's comfortable and safe for you. We are always mindful of doing our best to avoid re-traumatizing you, ensuring that therapy is a gentle and supportive process.

Understanding Your Brain and Body

Part of our approach is helping you understand what's happening in your brain and body. Knowledge is power, and we believe that when you understand how trauma affects your nervous system and brain function, you can take steps to manage your symptoms more effectively. We’ll explain how trauma responses like fight, flight, or freeze work, and teach you techniques to calm your nervous system.

Building Trust and Safety

Trust and safety are paramount in trauma therapy. By safety, we don’t just mean “are you safe from physical danger”? This kind of safety is feeling safe in your whole body. It’s focused on your nervous system and calming your amygdala in your brain. It’s true, embodied safety versus being in a state of protection. We will learn more about that together. We will also focus on building a strong relationship based on empathy, respect, and confidentiality. Our goal is to create a space where you feel understood and supported as you work through your trauma.

Take the First Step Towards Healing

If you're struggling with the effects of trauma, know that you don't have to face it alone. We're dedicated to helping you reclaim your life and find peace and resilience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards your healing journey.