Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy focuses on helping individuals heal from the psychological and emotional wounds caused by traumatic experiences. Unlike other mental health issues, trauma often resides in the body as well as the mind, making somatic work a critical component of trauma therapy. Somatic work involves tuning into the body's sensations and physical responses to trauma, allowing clients to release stored tension, anxiety, or pain. This approach helps individuals reconnect with their bodies, fostering a sense of safety and grounding that is crucial for healing. Techniques such as deep breathing, body awareness exercises, and movement therapy allow for the release of trauma that may not be accessible through talk therapy alone.
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Mindfulness, another key element in trauma therapy, focuses on being present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness helps trauma survivors build awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in a non-reactive way. By developing this skill, clients can observe their trauma responses without becoming overwhelmed by them. This practice empowers individuals to take control of their triggers and helps in reducing the hyperarousal and dissociation often associated with trauma. Combined with other therapeutic approaches, mindfulness allows for a greater sense of self-compassion and emotional regulation, both essential for healing trauma.
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Our clinicians have training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Brainspotting, which are two additional methods that offer unique paths to healing trauma. IFS explores the idea that individuals have different "parts" of themselves, some of which may be stuck in past trauma, while others act as protectors to prevent further pain. By working with these parts in a compassionate and non-judgmental way, clients can heal the wounded parts of themselves and restore a sense of balance and inner harmony. Brainspotting, on the other hand, is a brain-body based therapeutic approach that uses a person's visual field to access unprocessed trauma in the brain. By focusing on specific points in the visual field, Brainspotting helps clients access and process deep-seated trauma, allowing for profound emotional release and integration. Both IFS and Brainspotting are powerful tools that support deeper healing by targeting trauma at its roots and facilitating lasting recovery.
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