7 Types Of Trauma Therapy To Support Recovery
Healing from trauma is a deeply personal journey, and finding the right therapeutic approach can make all the difference in your recovery. Trauma therapy is designed to help individuals understand and process traumatic experiences, offering pathways to recovery through various evidence-based methods.
If you are searching for information on types of trauma therapy, it is important to know that different approaches work for different people. It all depends on the nature of the trauma and the individual’s needs. In this blog post, I will share with you some of the most effective trauma therapy types I offer in my practice. Each type of trauma therapy comes with a unique methodology; understanding what distinguishes one from another may help you determine which form would be best suited to your recovery journey.
If you’re still not sure what’s right for you however, don’t worry. Once we have a consultation, I’ll be able to make recommendations based on my professional experience and your situation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used forms of treatment to address trauma-related mental health struggles. This method focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to distress. For individuals dealing with trauma, these negative thoughts might involve feelings of guilt, shame, or fear that are linked to past experiences.
In trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), therapists work with individuals to process trauma by breaking down overwhelming emotions and responses into more manageable thoughts.
This type of trauma therapy is suitable for all ages, including children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. CBT includes components such as psychoeducation about trauma, relaxation skills, and developing a trauma narrative, where the client is able to put their experiences into words.
At Coltharp Counseling, I integrate CBT as one of my core methods to help clients manage the symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety, tailoring strategies to support long-term healing and emotional well-being.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) focuses on helping individuals process trauma by creating a detailed, cohesive narrative of their life, including both traumatic and non-traumatic experiences. This approach allows you, the client, to place your trauma within the broader context of your life, which gives you a greater sense of control over your personal story.
In NET, therapists help clients recount their entire life story chronologically. We focus on both positive and negative experiences, which can be scary at times, but it is helpful for getting the whole picture. By telling your story within a safe therapeutic environment, you will be able to confront traumatic memories in a structured approach, reducing the emotional impact these memories have on your current mental health, and progressively rewrite your personal journey into a more uplifting and empowering narrative.
Existential Counseling
Existential counseling is a type of trauma therapy based around helping people dive into fundamental life issues, such as the meaning of life, freedom, responsibility, isolation, and mortality. Questions such as, “What does it all mean?” and “What’s it all for?” lend themselves well to existential counseling. Rooted in existential philosophy, this modality is centered around helping you, the client, reclaim a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life.
Many people who have experienced severe trauma have lingering existential anxiety that lingers long after the active trauma has ended. Existential counseling can help you realign with your core values and restore your sense of authenticity in who you are as a person.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy is a form of trauma counseling that was developed in the 1940s and 1950s by Fritz Perls, his wife Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman. “Gestalt” is actually a German word that translates into “shape” or “form.” Gestalt therapy is a humanistic counseling philosophy that focuses on being in the “here and now.” There is a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship (between the client and the therapist) and a heavy prioritization on awareness.
In Gestalt therapy, clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they are currently existing. In our sessions we will utilize counseling techniques such as role-playing, dialogue, and creative expression in an effort to promote self-discovery and to remedy emotional wounds. When I work with someone from a Gestalt therapy approach, the aim is to promote personal growth, self-acceptance, and improved interpersonal relationships. The ultimate goal is to help you learn why blocks in your life exist and how you may remove them to experience life more fully.
Person-Centered Counseling
Developed by Carl Rogers, person-centered counseling (also referred to as person-centered therapy or Rogerian therapy) is a humanistic type of trauma therapy where the client experiences compassion, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard from their counselor. Rogers developed this form of therapy, which he initially referred to as non-direct therapy, to be one in which the therapist follows the client’s lead. This is the opposite of traditional psychoanalysis and behaviorism, where the therapist typically structures the session and the clients follow suit.
As your therapist, I will act as a source of empathy and understanding. It is important that we establish a nonjudgmental space where you feel safe to open up and express your authentic thoughts and feelings. The therapeutic relationship is extremely important here and is integral to this modality’s success.
Person-centered counseling works best with people who are very motivated to change, as it requires the client to take initiative in a way that most other forms of trauma therapy do not. While this may be a bit uncomfortable, it stands to offer significant benefits in terms of personal growth and self-awareness.
Adlerian Counseling
Also referred to as individual psychology, Adlerian counseling is a form of trauma therapy focused on helping clients reach their ideal lifestyle. Adlerian therapy occurs in four distinct stages:
Engagement: The therapist and client enter into a collaborative working relationship designed to assist the client achieve their mental health goals.
Assessment: During the assessment, you and I will learn about your past and seek to better understand how previous traumatic experiences influence your current situation. Together we will talk about early childhood memories, family dynamics, and how those factors influence your present self-perception.
Insight: Once we look into your history, we’ll start to unpack the reasons behind why you see yourself the way you do. Together, we will work on getting a better understanding of what is contributing to your inability to move forward.
Reorientation: This is where the change happens. Reorientation is all about you developing new patterns of thinking and implementing active strategies outside the therapy room so you can reclaim your life as your own. During this stage, we’ll focus on swapping out old, negative attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle choices for more positive ones that will support you on the road ahead.
Integrative Therapy
Much like it sounds, integrative therapy is a trauma therapy approach that combines several different treatment modalities, including CBT, Gestalt therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy and others depending on the client’s needs. This complex form of trauma therapy is sometimes referred to as holistic therapy because it does just that: it taps into the person as a holistic being, addressing their mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
Integrative therapy is especially useful in situations where individuals have PTSD, past or present trauma, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
Finding the Right Path to Healing
Trauma is a deeply personal experience, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. The different types of trauma therapy outlined here provide a range of options, but remember that it’s not necessary to know which type you need right away.
You may resonate with various types of trauma therapy and explore a few different modalities before settling on an approach that works best for you. The benefit of working with a trained, trauma-informed therapist like myself is that I can help you determine which form of therapy is best suited for your present needs.
At Coltharp Counseling, I believe that recovery from trauma is achievable through the right support and therapeutic approach. I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate their trauma with understanding, empathy, and expertise.
To get started on this journey, I encourage you to get in touch with me today. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more.