Trauma-Informed Therapy
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Trauma-informed therapy is an approach to mental health treatment that recognizes and responds to the effects of trauma on an individual's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Trauma-informed therapy aims to create a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore and heal from past trauma, while also empowering them to build resiliency and move forward with their lives.
Understanding Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma is defined as an event or experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope and causes a sense of helplessness, fear, and threat to their safety. Trauma can come in many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, natural disasters, accidents, and other life-threatening events. Trauma can have profound effects on an individual's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and other mental health concerns.
Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore and heal from past trauma. The principles of trauma-informed therapy include:
Safety:
Trauma-informed therapy prioritizes safety as a fundamental element of healing from trauma. This includes physical safety, as well as emotional and psychological safety. Trauma survivors must feel safe in the therapeutic environment in order to build trust, engage in the therapeutic process, and begin to heal.
Trustworthiness:
Trauma-informed therapy emphasizes the importance of building trust between the therapist and the client. Trust is essential for individuals to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and feelings, and to feel confident that their therapist will support them in their healing journey.
Choice:
Trauma-informed therapy emphasizes the importance of choice and autonomy for individuals in the therapeutic process. Clients should be given choices and control over their treatment plan, including the type and timing of interventions.
Collaboration:
Trauma-informed therapy is a collaborative process between the therapist and the client. The client is viewed as the expert on their own experiences and is actively involved in setting goals, identifying strengths and challenges, and designing their treatment plan.
Empowerment:
Trauma-informed therapy aims to empower individuals by promoting their sense of control, resilience, and self-efficacy. This includes identifying and building on strengths and resources, as well as promoting self-care and self-advocacy.
Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma-informed therapy can have many benefits for individuals who have experienced trauma. These benefits include:
Improved Mental Health:
Trauma-informed therapy can help individuals improve their mental health by addressing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By providing a safe and supportive environment, trauma-informed therapy can help individuals develop coping skills, build resiliency, and reduce symptoms of distress.
Increased Empowerment:
Trauma-informed therapy can help individuals feel more empowered and in control of their lives. By focusing on strengths and resources, trauma-informed therapy can help individuals develop a sense of agency and self-efficacy.
Improved Relationships:
Trauma-informed therapy can improve individuals' relationships by helping them develop healthy communication skills, boundaries, and trust. By addressing the effects of trauma on relationships, trauma-informed therapy can help individuals build healthier relationships in their personal and professional lives.
Reduced Risk of Substance Abuse:
Trauma-informed therapy can help reduce the risk of substance abuse by addressing the root causes of addiction. By exploring the underlying trauma that may be contributing to addiction, trauma-informed therapy can help individuals develop healthier coping strategies and reduce the risk of relapse.
Research on Trauma-Informed Therapy
Research has shown that trauma-informed therapy can be an effective approach for addressing trauma-related symptoms and improving overall mental health outcomes. A meta-analysis of 34 studies found that trauma-focused psychotherapy was associated with reduced PTSD symptoms and improved overall functioning (van der Kolk et al., 2005). Another study found that trauma-informed therapy was associated with reduced substance abuse, depression, and anxiety symptoms in a sample of women with co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders (Najavits et al., 2011).
In addition, research has also shown that trauma-informed therapy can improve outcomes for individuals with complex trauma histories, such as those who have experienced multiple traumas or chronic abuse. One study found that an integrated trauma treatment program was associated with significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety in a sample of individuals with complex trauma histories (Cloitre et al., 2010).
Trauma-informed therapy can be an effective approach for addressing trauma-related symptoms and improving overall mental health outcomes. By prioritizing safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment, trauma-informed therapy provides a supportive and empowering environment for individuals to heal from past trauma and build resiliency for the future.
The Connection between Trauma and Substance Abuse
Research has consistently shown that there is a high prevalence of trauma among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Studies have found that between 40% to 90% of individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime, such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or other adverse experiences (Najavits, 2004; Ford et al., 2013).
There are several theories that explain the relationship between trauma and substance abuse. One theory is that individuals who have experienced trauma may use substances as a way to cope with the negative emotions and distress associated with their traumatic experiences. Substance use may serve as a temporary escape from the distressing symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and nightmares.
However, substance use can also exacerbate trauma-related symptoms and lead to additional negative consequences, such as physical health problems, social and financial difficulties, and legal problems. In addition, substance use can interfere with the individual's ability to engage in trauma-focused therapy and effectively process their traumatic experiences.
It is important for substance abuse treatment providers to screen for trauma and provide trauma-informed care to address the underlying issues that may be contributing to the individual's substance abuse. By addressing trauma in conjunction with substance abuse treatment, individuals can improve their overall mental health outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
Research in the field of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) explores how a child’s exposure to neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, mental illness, violence, divorce or death can lead to lifelong consequences. Adults with high ACE assessment scores are at greater risk for mental illness, health issues, physical issues and early death. ACE studies reveal that over 46% of children have a least one adverse childhood experience, which further stresses the need for trauma informed care. We are now seeing a correlation between addiction and childhood trauma. Addiction and childhood development expert Dr. Gabor Mate states that addiction comes from a persons need to solve a deep-seated problem which stems from early years and has to do with trauma or loss.