How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
- Sarika Singodia
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 19
If you’ve ever considered trauma therapy but aren’t sure what it is, you’re not alone. The short answer is that trauma therapy is about healing. So, what does healing look like? Unfortunately, that question is much harder to answer. Healing is a deeply personal experience, and it can look different for everyone. Ultimately, trauma therapy can be a safe and effective way of working towards a personal sense of healing.
What is Trauma?
Trauma isn’t just about what happened. It’s also about how our bodies and minds respond to overwhelming and threatening experiences. A single, isolated event can cause trauma, such as an accident or assault. Trauma can also be caused by ongoing or repeated experiences like abuse, neglect, or discrimination. Sometimes, people aren’t even sure if what they’re experiencing is trauma. They just know they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or not like themselves.
What is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy involves creating a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your experiences and any emotions related to traumatic events. The goal is to process these experiences in a way that reduces their ongoing impact, allowing you to regain a sense of control and well-being. Trauma therapy can involve talking, developing coping strategies, and connecting with your body through mindfulness and other techniques.
How is Trauma Therapy Different from “Regular” Therapy?
Isn’t all therapy trauma therapy? This is a valid question, especially when trauma can show up in so many ways. While all therapy can be supportive, trauma therapy is specifically focused on helping people heal from overwhelming or distressing experiences. What makes it different is the emphasis on how trauma affects the brain, body, and nervous system. Trauma therapy tends to move at a slower pace with a strong focus on safety, trust, and collaboration. Rather than jumping straight into problem-solving, it often starts with helping you feel more grounded and in control before exploring the deeper roots of your experiences.
What can Trauma Therapy Help With?
People seek trauma therapy for various reasons.
Here are some common situations that trauma therapy can support people through:
Abuse or neglect
Assaults or attacks
Grief and loss
Accidents or injuries
Bullying or exploitation
Common Approaches in Trauma Therapy
Different therapy modalities can be used to help someone address trauma.
Here are a few that are used at Bold Lotus:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This method focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns that are tied to traumatic experiences. By challenging these thoughts, you can learn to alter your emotional responses and behaviours.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR uses guided eye movements to help you process traumatic memories and release emotions tied to trauma. This approach aims to reduce emotional distress caused by the traumatic memories.
Somatic Therapies: These are body-centred approaches that focus on the connection between mind and body. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindful movement can help you release tension and feel more grounded.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT focuses on helping people accept and make space for difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck. At the same time, it helps you identify what values are important to you as an individual so you can take steps to be the person you want to be. It can be a powerful way to move from surviving to thriving.
Starting trauma therapy is a courageous step towards healing and self-discovery. At Bold Lotus Trauma Therapy, we are honoured to accompany you on this journey, providing compassionate support tailored to your unique experiences. Remember, healing is a personal process, and with the right support, it is entirely achievable.
