Covered by Most Benefits Plans. Please be sure to check with your insurance provider.
Covered by Most Benefits Plans. Please be sure to check with your insurance provider.
Trauma therapy is a type of counseling that supports individuals in coping with the emotional reactions triggered by traumatic events.
There are three types of trauma:
Traumatic events are unique to each person, and how someone experiences such an event is influenced by factors like their access to support systems, personal coping skills, family support, and the community’s response.
It is really important to emphasize that traumatic stress reactions are typical responses to abnormal situations, and they can have both short-term and, in some cases, long-lasting effects. Sadly in our culture we are quick to pathologize (treating it abnormal or unhealthy) trauma responses. Our brains are built to protect us from danger. Many of the symptoms we see in trauma survivors are brain survival strategies that have not figured out how to shut off or brains that still feel they are in danger. This can be an overwhelming and terrifying experience for individuals who are past the traumatic event and trying to heal and return to a normal life. That is the goal of trauma therapy.
You might experience responses to trauma emotionally, physically, Cognitively and behaviourally.
You may be struggling with large emotions that you can not seem to be able to stop or regulate, including feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety and/or shame. This is called emotional dysregulation.
Numbing is also a reaction to trauma. You feel detached from thoughts and memories of the trauma almost like it didn’t happen to you. You can also use numbing as a way to cope with other stressful situations.
Our brains and bodies are closely linked, and trauma survivors may frequently experience physical symptoms that stem from their trauma. This is known as somatization, which means that the trauma is expressed physically within the body.
Trauma can also lead to sleep disruptions, such as nightmares, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or excessive sleep. Another common response to trauma is hypervigilance, where you become extra alert and reactive, often seen when sudden loud noises or unexpected events make you jump or startle easily.
Educating, communicating, and supporting your healing in trauma therapy
It is important for you to understand the biology of trauma. We will help you understand that your symptoms are physiological reactions to extreme stress. We will communicate treatment and wellness activities that can help relieve both emotional and physical symptoms and support you to understand that your symptoms are not signs of weakness or craziness but that they are normal reactions to horrific experiences. Most importantly we will create a safe space for you to know you are not alone, healing is possible and life can get better.
Navigating life after trauma can be incredibly challenging, and it's important to understand some of the cognitive reactions that can occur. One common response is experiencing excessive or inappropriate guilt, which can weigh heavily on a person, even when they are not responsible for the traumatic event.
Cognitive distortions are another aspect, where everyday situations can be misinterpreted as dangerous because they remotely resemble the trauma. For example, something as routine as a traffic jam can unexpectedly trigger distressing responses reminiscent of the initial trauma.
It's not uncommon for survivors to idealize their abusers, especially if the abuser was a caregiver. This complex response can make it difficult to come to terms with the abuse and its impact. In some cases, trauma can even lead to hallucinations or delusions.
Intrusive thoughts and memories can also emerge abruptly, often related to the trauma, bringing along intense emotions and sometimes uncontrollable behaviors. Feeling different from others who may not understand the depth of your experiences can be isolating, making it challenging to share your traumatic experiences.
Recognizing that these cognitive reactions are part of the complex aftermath of trauma is essential. Seeking professional help and support is a valuable step toward understanding and managing these reactions as you work towards healing and recovery.
Triggers can be quite complex, and it's crucial to understand what they are and how they work. Essentially, a trigger is something that sets off a memory of a traumatic event. Some triggers are identifiable and can even be anticipated or planned for, while others are subtle and sneak up on you, catching you off guard and unprepared for the emotional impact they bring. To learn more about triggers, trauma and loss read our blog HERE.
Triggers often have a sensory element to them, linked to various senses like a particular noise, a specific smell, a physical sensation, a change in temperature, or even something visual that serves as a reminder. Additionally, triggers can be associated with particular times of the year, holiday celebrations, significant milestones, or anniversary dates of the traumatic event.
These triggers act like keys unlocking memories and emotions tied to the trauma, and they can be incredibly powerful and overwhelming. It's crucial to recognize them and have strategies in place to manage their impact when they occur.
A very difficult cognitive reaction is flashbacks. Flashbacks are like sudden time-travel to a past traumatic experience, making it feel like it's happening all over again. They're quite short, just a few seconds, but the emotions they bring can stick around for a long time. These flashbacks can be triggered by something, but not always. They can even happen out of the blue, especially when someone is really tired or under a lot of stress.
During a flashback, it's like watching a quick scene from a movie that's not supposed to be playing right now. For example, a loud noise on a sunny day might make a veteran feel like they're back in a wartime patrol. Besides flashbacks, people can also relive trauma through nightmares and intrusive thoughts that keep popping into their minds.
Educating, communicating, and supporting your healing in trauma therapy
At Mind 2 Heart, we genuinely care about understanding how your behaviours are serving a purpose for you. We'll take the time to see things from your perspective. Safety is a top priority, and if needed, we'll work collaboratively on safety within a session and safety within your life.
During our sessions, we'll be there with you in those challenging and even dark moments, providing unconditional support to ensure you do not feel alone. We'll also share valuable coping skills to help you manage overwhelming emotions, so you can start to develop healthier ways of handling things.
In your therapy journey, we'll help you tap into your resilience. Finding a sense of purpose, connecting with those who matter to you, and rekindling hope are all vital pieces of the healing process that we'll explore together.
Our responses to post-trauma experiences can vary greatly. It's important to understand that people cope in different ways. Some coping strategies are healthy, while others may not be as helpful.
When trying to reduce stress, some folks might turn to things like alcohol or drugs, overeating, engaging in risky behaviour, or even self-harm. Trauma can make you feel like you've lost control, and this might lead to controlling or even aggressive behaviour in some cases. Others may feel overwhelmed and helpless, making it tough to make decisions or take action in their lives because they're afraid something bad might happen again.
Remember, everyone's journey through trauma is unique, and there's support available to help you navigate it.
Educating, communicating, and supporting your healing in trauma therapy
At Mind 2 Heart, we genuinely care about understanding how your behaviours are serving a purpose for you. We'll take the time to see things from your perspective. Safety is a top priority, and if needed, we'll work collaboratively on safety within a session and safety within your life.
During our sessions, we'll be there with you in those challenging and even dark moments, providing unconditional support to ensure you do not feel alone. We'll also share valuable coping skills to help you manage overwhelming emotions, so you can start to develop healthier ways of handling things.
In your therapy journey, we'll help you tap into your resilience. Finding a sense of purpose, connecting with those who matter to you, and rekindling hope are all vital pieces of the healing process that we'll explore together.
At Mind 2 Heart, our approach to trauma therapy is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re interested in EMDR, have a desire to explore art therapy, wonder about the safe and sound protocol or would like to work with one of our trauma informed therapist, we’re confident that we can help you discover a healing modality that resonates with you.
Join us on this transformative journey.
Together, we will heal, grow, and embrace the wonders of neurodiversity and the human spirit.
F-570 Bryne Drive
Barrie, ON
L4N 9P6
We humbly acknowledge we in Barrie are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabeg people, which include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy, and prior to the middle of 17th century the Wendat Nation and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We add our voices to the call for Truth and Reconciliation and healing for injustice. We commit to learning more so that we are able to act as good neighbours on these lands.
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