Trauma can happen to anyone. It doesn’t mean that you’re weak. Trauma is any event or experience that impacts a person’s ability to function and ultimately results in mental, emotional, physical, and psychological harm. It is a horrific event that either happens to you or you witness. While many people will experience trauma, not all develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the traumatic event.
The symptoms of trauma can arise as early as right after the event or even years later. No one’s experience is the same, and no one’s reaction is the same. Some common symptoms that happen after a traumatic event include:
Trauma can affect your life in many ways, and help is available. In-person therapy, online therapy, and support groups are available to help you find healthy coping skills to manage your emotions and thoughts associated with the trauma. Trauma therapy can help you cope with the emotional and physical responses caused by the traumatic event with the guidance of a qualified and trained licensed therapist. Many types of therapy are effective in treating trauma, including the following:
The CDC’s Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) and SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC), developed the training for the role of trauma-informed care. The goal of the training was to increase awareness of the impact that trauma can have and the six principles are that a trauma-informed approach.
EMDR combines exposure therapy with guided eye movements to work through traumatic memories and alter the reaction to them. It focuses directly on the traumatic memory and changes how it is stored in the brain. This is done by the therapist encouraging the client to focus briefly on a traumatic memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation through eye movements at the same time. This eye movement allows for the emotion associated with the trauma to be reduced.
There are eight phases in EMDR therapy.
The difference between being EMDR trained versus EMDR certified is the amount of experience and training. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) developed standards for adequate experience to be considered EMDR trained.
EMDR Trained Standards:
The training process is done over multiple parts for around six months. Once all areas are completed, the therapist will receive their EMDR Training Certificate of Completion and be able to provide EMDR therapy.
EMDR Certified Standards:
Once all the criteria are complete, the therapist can be a Certified EMDR Therapist. Additionally, 12 hours of EMDRIA-approved continued education credits must be conducted biannually to maintain their certification.
A brain spot is a point in the visual space that a client has a strong reaction to. By going across the field of vision you can identify how you feel. The premise is that where you look affects how you feel and evoke emotions and sensations. It locates points in the client’s visual field that help to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain which is the area of the brain responsible for motion, consciousness, emotions, and learning. Brainspotting is an innovative therapy approach that combines brain and body based modalities, EMDR aspects, and mindfulness techniques
How long does brainspotting therapy take?
Brainspotting therapy generally takes one to three sessions utilizing eye positioning, mindfulness exercises, and learning mind-body awareness techniques.
How does brainspotting differ from EMDR?
Brainspotting is a newer type of trauma therapy so there are fewer practitioners than EMDR trained or certified practitioners. Dr. David Grand developed both EMDR and Brainspotting and while there are similarities they are considered separate modalities.
Two main differences between brainspotting and EMDR are:
Common Issues Treated Through Brainspotting Therapy:
ART therapy is based on the foundation that we can rewire our memories so that they don’t cause us distress. Eye movement and visualization focus on eliminating negative images and sensations and rewiring the mind with positive images. It’s helping people overcome trauma in as little as one session. It is a therapeutic approach that replaces negative thoughts with positive thoughts and removes triggers. ART has been recognized as an evidence-based treatment for psychological trauma. The therapist does not have to hear any details for ART therapy to work.
Some benefits of ART for trauma are:
Common Issues Treated Through Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART):
Finding a therapist that specializes in trauma means you should be getting more skill and expertise and improved outcomes. You will have a safe and non-judgemental space to face the fears you have from your traumatic event and learn coping skills to help you recover and function on a daily basis. Trauma therapy can help you develop a new perspective and work through the intensity of the trauma-related emotions.
We understand that choosing a therapist is challenging and that you have many choices when selecting a counselor or therapist. Our Fort Worth therapists are trained and certified in trauma therapy modalities and are here to help. Experiencing the effects of trauma does not make you weak and you don’t have to go through it alone.
