Trauma Therapy
Be Free from the Effects of Trauma Through Therapy
Trauma is defined as the subjective individual experience of an event that involves a sense of intense fear and helplessness and that leaves a lasting imprint on the mind, brain, body, and soul.
What creates trauma?
Death of a loved one, Natural disasters, Physical and Sexual Assault, Verbal and Emotional Abuse, Witnessing a violent act, Enduring or surviving a severe, life-threatening medical condition, experiencing an act of terror…. Just to name a few
What is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It often incorporates techniques to address the emotional, cognitive, and physiological impacts of trauma, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic experiencing. The goal is to help individuals understand and reframe their trauma, reduce symptoms of distress, and rebuild a sense of safety and control in their lives. Through trauma therapy, clients can work through their experiences in a supportive and structured environment, gradually moving toward recovery, freedom, and improved well-being.
It is estimated that about 50-60% of adults in the United Stated have experienced or will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. This number is closer to 70% worldwide. 1 out of every 3 children will witness domestic violence in their own home. Trauma is an unfortunate reality in our world, on this side of eternity. We may not be able to change its existence, however we CAN change the hold it has on you, the way it limits your goals, how it impacts your daily activities. You can be free from the effects of trauma through therapy.
41% of individuals who experience trauma feel like no one truly understands how they feel. We are here to help. Our trauma-informed therapy team will walk alongside you through individual therapy, couples therapy, and/or family therapy to gain the confidence and healing you need.
The impact of trauma can be wide reaching, but generally includes:
Trauma impacts the brain’s ability to process information due to the ineffectiveness of the prefrontal cortex. Rewired brain circuitry leads to a kind of “fear loop” in which the pre-frontal cortex is bypassed entirely, leaving victims in a perpetual state of “fight or flight”.
Trauma increases feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and despondency. The urge to isolate or withdraw from beloved social groups feels confusing and overwhelming. You begin to wonder if you will ever feel like yourself again.
Trauma can be damaging to spiritual growth, creating feelings of abandonment or disconnection from God. Doubt can create a faith crisis question like, “Why did God allow this to happen?” The goodness of God seems like an impossibility because of what you experienced.
Trauma decreases the ability to manage and regulate stress in the home, workplace, and community. Cortisol levels are 60-120% higher than normal for survivors of childhood abuse. It seems like even the small things are too much for you.
Trauma Therapy Helps Reduce the Impacts of Trauma
How Can EMDR Therapy Help Trauma?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective therapeutic approach for trauma that helps individuals process and better manage distressing memories. By guiding clients through a structured process involving bilateral stimulation—typically in the form of guided eye movements—EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories. This method helps to reduce the flooding of emotions and vivid nature of memories, allowing memories to be less triggering. Through this process, individuals can gain a perspective shift, have new insights, and develop healthier coping mechanisms leading to reduced symptoms of trauma and improved overall well-being.
Meet our Trauma Therapy Specialist
Bayleigh Griffith, LCMHC
Hi, I’m Bayleigh! I want you to know that whatever brings you to this moment in time, wondering if therapy is right for you, you are not alone. I love that therapy can serve so many different purposes for so many different people! So whether your past has tormented you for far too long, or you’re finding it difficult to cope with a recent change in circumstances that has left you unexpectedly reeling, or you’ve been wounded to your very core and you’re not sure that you’ll ever recover, you belong here.
I know how difficult it can be to ask for help, but I can also tell you that I have watched others who were drowning in their own expectations or desperately (and unsuccessfully) trying to forget a traumatic event or struggling to simply go through the motions of a normal day, finally begin to experience rest and healing. I can tell you that it’s incredible, and it’s possible for you too. You won’t be alone — I’ll be right here, walking alongside you as you bravely pursue healing and change.
Certified Trauma Therapist providing EMDR and IFS Therapy in Greensboro, NC and Telehealth
What is IFS and how will it help trauma?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that treats the mind like a family with different members or "parts," each having its own feelings and roles. When it comes to trauma, IFS helps by focusing on these parts, especially those carrying pain or stuck in negative patterns. The therapy guides individuals to connect with their core self, a place of inner wisdom and compassion, to heal and bring together these fragmented parts. This process helps create internal peace, resolve conflicts, let go of heavy emotions, and build a healthier self-image, which can ease trauma symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Sometimes, those who have survived trauma also struggle with an eating disorder or substance abuse. Others experience trauma long before their brains are able to grasp what is happening. You are not alone in this! Our trauma-informed therapy team can help walk you through effective, evidence based strategies to get you the freedom you need. Schedule with a clinician today!
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Trevor Thompson, LCMHC, LCAS
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional | Addiction & Trauma
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Jessie Tucker Mitchell, LCMHCA
Certified Trauma Professional | Trauma + Eating Disorders + OCD
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Mollie Pinkham, LCSW
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional | Trauma + Kids / Teens + Families
Top Benefits of Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy offers numerous benefits for individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Here are some of the most significant advantages:
1. Emotional Processing and Healing
Trauma therapy provides a safe space for individuals to process their emotions related to the traumatic event. This therapeutic environment helps clients articulate their feelings, which can lead to a better understanding of their experiences and a pathway to healing.
2. Reduction of Symptoms
Many individuals suffer from symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and nightmares following trauma. Engaging in trauma therapy can significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of these symptoms over time, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives.
3. Improved Coping Strategies
Trauma therapy equips individuals with healthier coping mechanisms to deal with stress and emotional pain. Clients learn to manage their reactions to triggers and develop skills to navigate daily challenges more effectively.
4. Enhanced Sense of Safety
Trauma-focused therapy helps individuals re-establish a sense of safety in their lives. This is crucial for those who have experienced violations of safety, as therapy can guide them in rebuilding their emotional and physical sense of security.
5. Empowerment and Self-Confidence
Through trauma therapy, individuals often gain a greater sense of empowerment. By learning to manage their symptoms and understand their trauma, clients can improve their self-confidence and feel more capable of handling life's challenges.
6. Improved Relationships
Trauma can strain personal relationships. Therapy can help individuals communicate their needs more effectively and understand their emotional responses, leading to healthier interactions and stronger connections with others.
7. Long-Term Resilience
Engaging in trauma therapy can foster resilience, enabling individuals to bounce back from adversity more effectively. This long-term benefit can enhance overall quality of life and promote a more positive outlook.
8. Understanding and Acknowledgment
Trauma therapy provides a framework for individuals to understand their trauma and its impact on their lives. This acknowledgment is a critical step in the healing process, helping clients feel less isolated in their experiences.
In summary, trauma therapy is a vital resource for those affected by traumatic experiences, offering emotional healing, symptom reduction, and improved coping strategies, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.
Our therapists are ready to help you navigate your specific trauma challenge and get you back to a more fulfilling life. To get started you can book a free 20-minute phone consultation with a provider by scheduling through our portal or contacting info@dwellministry.org.
