Phases of Trauma Treatment
If there’s one specialty Virago Wellness is known for, it’s addressing trauma. Trauma is a term that encompasses adverse experiences big to small that overwhelm our availability to cope and cause lingering effects. Women are more frequently impacted by trauma and have higher rates of PTSD. Every one on our team is trained in trauma informed approaches, some have additional training to treat trauma related disorders, and a few are trauma specialists training other therapists to treat these complex issues.
It’s important to know that there are phases to trauma treatment in therapy. We want to share a peak behind the curtain at what your therapist is assessing when you come in for services. Some clients attend therapy specifically to address the ongoing impacts of adverse experiences. Others come in because of specific challenges like mood or anxiety, family or relational problems, challenges with unhealthy behaviors or poor self worth. The links to the past can be so impactful that regardless of why you’ve reached out to a therapist, the therapist is likely going to ask you some questions about your past.
If you do decide it’s time to do some focused personal work in therapy on your past, there are three phases to trauma treatment typically. If you decide to embark on the journey of therapy to address past trauma, it's helpful to understand the typical three-phase structure of trauma treatment. This framework provides a general roadmap for the therapeutic process, although it's important to remember that each individual's experience and healing path will be unique.
Phase One: Safety and Stabilization
The initial phase of trauma treatment focuses on establishing safety and stability in your life. This involves creating a sense of security and control, both within the therapeutic relationship and in your daily environment. During this phase, you'll likely work with your therapist to develop coping skills for managing distressing emotions and triggers, as well as strategies for self-care and grounding. Coping skills should be well established. Any medications are well managed and safety issues such as self injurious behavior is addressed. It’s not uncommon for folks who have experienced trauma or adverse experiences to struggle with emotionality, fight or flight responses, mood issues, irritability, and more, even if they don’t have PTSD. Good stabilization work should help you feel more equipped to navigate day to day life. This can also mean learning important relationship skills like boundary setting, seeking support, conflict resolution, and assertiveness to name a few. The goal is to create a solid foundation for further exploration and processing of traumatic experiences.
Phase Two: Processing and Desensitization
Once a sense of safety and stability is established, the therapeutic focus shifts towards processing and integrating the traumatic experiences. This phase often involves exploring the memories and emotions associated with the trauma in a safe and supportive environment.
The goal of this phase is to make sense of the trauma, integrate it into your life story, and develop healthier ways of coping and untangle the past from the present. There are a few types of memory reprocessing work that you can do with a therapist from Expressive Art therapies, Narrative therapies, Somatic approaches, TF-CBT, and EMDR. This can be highly emotional and activating for our nervous systems which is why stabilization is so important. Trauma is impactful because we are stuck and unable to process what happened.
Phase Three: Reconnection and Reintegration
The final phase of trauma treatment emphasizes reconnection and growth. As you heal from the trauma, you'll likely begin to rediscover your sense of self and rebuild relationships. This phase may involve exploring new interests, developing a stronger sense of purpose, and fostering healthy connections with others. Reintegration is the process of sorting through the “what now” aspects of healing. In this phase of healing — typically after reprocessing but this can also come up in stabilization — people may mourn the loss of what could have been without the traumas they experienced in their lives. Anger and resentment is not uncommon during this time as well. Eventually, you may get to a place where you can find meaning in the experience and the healing process. This is not a “silver lining” type of thing but more of an emotional composting, breaking down the experience to find what exists on the other side. This can often involve connection and community with other survivors of similar trauma, providing support or sharing learning and insight with others, or even work as an advocate, activist, or change maker. Your therapist can support you in this process by helping you identify your values, set goals, and build a fulfilling life beyond the trauma. Here’s a great book recommendation for any phase of treatment but especially Reconnection and Reintegration.
Your Choice
It’s important to note that you do not have to reprocess memories to experience relief. Research certainly points to the effectiveness of trauma reprocessing models but the decision to “go there” is a deeply personal one. It’s not uncommon for people to decide to do targeted trauma work without reprocessing and there is still a lot to be gained in the healing process. You may also feel ready to process some memories but not all. If you really want to untangle the past from the present, reprocessing is the way to go but it is, at the end of the day, your choice.
Your journey and your treatment needs are unique and you will move through the phases of healing at your pace and on your terms. If you ever hear a therapist talk about an individualized approach, this is what we mean. Your therapy goals and treatment should be decided with your input and based on your personal wants and needs. One person might need more stabilization focus than another, someone may not feel ready to address concerns related to reintegration. There are no rights or wrongs or supposed to’s in this process, just what is.
As always, the Virago Wellness Team is here to support you in whatever your phase of healing and personal goals. We want to provide as many choices as possible so you can find the right fit and approach for you. Ready to start the healing process? Schedule a free phone consultation with one of our therapists, today.
