What Is Trauma Therapy Seattle?

Often people think of trauma as a ‘shock’ event such as war, death, or physical abuse. However, over recent years, we have learned that trauma can occur in much more subtle and complex ways than we originally thought. Rather than one big, awful event, trauma can be small events that stack up to create a big impact over time. Trauma happens when one experiences something devastating, horrific, or terrifying that causes a real or perceived threat of death or serious harm that our brains and bodies cannot make sense of. This can occur over one event, multiple events, or during chronic stress when one feels either physically or emotionally stuck in that event.

Deb Dana, author of Polyvagal Exercises For Safety and Connection, states that “Trauma can be thought of as what happens to a person when there is either too much too soon, too much for too long, or not enough for too long.”

What is PTSD?

Most people will experience some kind of traumatic event in their lives, but only some people will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When one does not have effective coping skills or resources to manage traumatic event(s), the trauma may get stored in their body and minds and result in PTSD, which is a mental illness that causes one significant impairment in their functioning.

Symptoms Of Trauma & PTSD:

Intrusive thoughts, worrying thoughts, catastophizing
Overwhelming fear
Denial, disbelief, or shock
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Panic attacks
Emotional distress and disregulation
Obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors
Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless

Confusion, disorientation, poor focus, or difficulty concentrating
Racing heart rate, difficult breathing, nausea, muscle tension
Irritability, agitation, or mood swings
Being easily startled or frightened
Social isolation or withdrawal
Changes in eating patterns
Feeling disconnect, numb, or dissociated
Negative outlook of the world or of the self

Trauma Therapy Seattle & Treatment For PTSD:

Trauma Therapy is unique to the individual’s needs. When treating trauma, it is important that you work with a skilled and highly trained therapist who is trauma-informed and operates under the following principles: 1) Safety, 2) Choice, 3) Collaboration, 4) Trustworthiness, and 5) Empowerment.

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, but there are many Evidence Based Practices and treatment modalities that have proven to be effective. You will need to work with your doctor or therapist to determine the path that is right for you. Our Trauma Therapy Seattle Specialists are trained in the following modalities:

EMDR:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) works to process trauma by using repetitive eye movement while holding images from the trauma in your mind. The eye movement helps to desensitize the images so that they are not as emotionally charged and debilitating, making space for the brain and body to reprocess the traumatic memory in new and healing ways. It is known to be effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD.

Somatic Experiencing:

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a “bottom-up” approach to healing, meaning it is focused on healing through physical exercises and practices in the body, rather than talking through a traumatic experience. Trauma often creates a rift between the brain and the body and Somatic Experiencing encourages healing by helping the individual find safety in the body.

Trauma Focused CBT:

Trauma-focused CBT (TFCBT) focuses on providing education to the individual about their trauma and how it impacted them. The therapist guides the individual to manage distress while they recall events and memories of the trauma. The therapist also helps the individual create a trauma narrative, challenge maladaptive thoughts about themselves and the world, as well as assist the client in making sense of their trauma and increase self-compassion.

Lifespan Integration:

Lifespan Integration (LI) assists the individual in creating chronological timelines of traumatic events to regulate the client’s nervous system. Over time, the brain and the body will naturally begin to create organized connections for these memories, rather than many isolated incidents or “memory islands.” In short, the therapist will help the individual create one cohesive timeline and narrative that is meaningful to the client.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-centered approach that aims to help individual mobilize trauma responses that have been stuck in the physical body. The therapist will help the individual safety re-experience the unresolved trauma, while at the same time helping the individual regulate their emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to trauma wounds using their external and internal resources.