TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY

Many individuals experience some sort of trauma within their lifetime. From domestic violence to natural disasters, traumatic events can stretch the bounds of the human psyche, negatively impacting a person’s health, family, relationships, career, and daily life. If left untreated, the effects of trauma can be exceptionally damaging. In some cases, it can lead to other issues, such as depression and substance abuse.

Trauma-informed counseling focuses on providing emotional, psychological, and physical support to clients. At MySpectrum, we provide trauma-informed therapy to individuals, families, and couples throughout the state of Virginia. Our services are available in-person and via teletherapy. Whether you reside near our offices in North Chesterfield or Springfield, or you live elsewhere in Virginia, we can provide accessible and convenient counseling that fits your schedule.

Types of Trauma Therapy

There are numerous forms of trauma that people might experience. We often think of trauma in a context of childhood abuse, the death of a loved one, or dangerous military experiences, but there are other, less obvious instances. Potential sources of trauma may include but are not limited to:

Car accidents
Community violence
Dating violence
Domestic violence
Emotional abuse
Natural disasters
Political violence
Physical abuse
Severe illness or injury
Sexual abuse
Sexual assault
War
Witnessing an act of violence

Why You May Need Trauma Therapy

It is common for individuals to have strong reactions to traumatic events, including feelings of stress, fear, shock, anger, and grief. Trauma can leave a lasting impact on a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. It can manifest days, months, or even years after the painful event, and may be recurring. In some cases, individuals may have difficulty moving on with their lives. However, a skilled therapist can help you find constructive ways to manage your emotions.

You could benefit from trauma-informed couples therapy or trauma-informed family therapy if you experience emotional disturbances and mental health issues that stem from a distressing incident. These may include the following symptoms:

Anger
Anxiety/panic attacks
Denial
Emotional outbursts
Fatigue
Lethargy
Poor concentration
Sadness
Disturbing memories or images
Avoidance of places or thoughts

The Benefits of Trauma Therapy

The goal of trauma therapy is to help individuals find relief and overcome their negative experience, allowing them to engage in normal activities and continue with daily life. By engaging in treatment, a person can learn more about what he or she is experiencing, how to understand and address the trauma, and develop healthy coping skills. Other benefits of trauma-focused therapy include:

Rebuilding your sense of self
Identifying your triggers
Focusing on the present instead of the past
Turning negative feelings and outlooks into positive ones

How MySpectrum Can Help

At MySpectrum, we take great care in our approach to trauma therapy. For instance, our experienced therapists strive to create a safe, invigorating, and energizing environment in which they teach clients how to build coping skills and regulate emotions. With many years of expertise under their belts, you can be confident that our therapists can help you feel empowered to shape your life anew and find meaning after a traumatic event. In therapy, you will learn how to take control over past experiences and gain more freedom with your life, family, friends, and colleagues.

MySpectrum stands apart from other therapy practices because we provide tailored therapy, counseling, and coaching services to best meet your unique needs. Clients can be seen weekly, biweekly, monthly, or just for a few sessions; we’ll meet you exactly where you are with empathic, supportive care. We also offer additional services, including relationship and family therapy.

To learn more about our capabilities or to start your therapeutic journey, reach out to us today.

FAQs

What exactly is “trauma therapy”?

Trauma therapy refers to specialized psychotherapy designed to help you heal from one or more distressing or traumatic events, whether it was a single incident, ongoing stress, or past unresolved trauma.

How do I know whether my problems might be caused by trauma and not just stress or depression?

If you experience symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, or feel stuck, disconnected or triggered by reminders, those can be signs of trauma.

What kinds of trauma does trauma therapy address?

Trauma therapy can help with trauma from many sources, such as accidents, abuse, loss, witnessing violence, long-term stress or neglect, as well as traumatic events like disasters or sudden life-changing incidents.

What happens in a trauma therapy session? What should I expect?

You can expect a safe, supportive space: the therapist will help you process memories or emotions at your pace, use techniques to manage distress, guide you through grounding and coping strategies, and help reshape harmful thoughts tied to trauma.

Will trauma therapy help with relationships, like trust or communication issues caused by trauma?

Yes. Trauma often affects relationships, trust, intimacy and boundary-setting. Therapy helps you heal internal wounds and improve how you relate to others.