Trauma Therapy Resources For Survivors
Trauma can be defined as an emotional response to a stressful event, like a crime, accident, abuse, neglect, or the death of a loved one. Feelings of grief, shock, and denial may be common immediately following the event, but longer-term trauma responses can lead to flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical illness.
People tend to respond to trauma in different ways. For some, managing their emotions and moving on with their lives can be challenging. The trauma therapy resources listed below can help people who have experienced trauma, as well as their loved ones.
Online resources
Below, find accessible online resources for individuals who have experienced trauma.
After Deployment
After Deployment, a website developed by the National Center for Telehealth & Technology’s Defense Centers of Excellence project, offers a library of resources, including links to books, blogs, and podcasts, as well as interactive workshops about traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, all intended for veterans returning from deployment.
PTSD Coach
PTSD Coach was designed by the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology and the VA’s National Center for PTSD. It offers tools to help people with PTSD handle stress and provides reliable information for veterans experiencing PTSD symptoms.
There is also a PTSD Coach app available for Apple and Android that provides easy-to-use tools for managing symptoms and direct links to other forms of help and support.
Support groups
In-person and online support groups can be an excellent addition to professional one-on-one treatment.
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) is a support group for adult survivors of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. In addition to meetings, it offers educational books, handouts, pamphlets, and other resources.
CPTSD Foundation
The CPTSD Foundation offers two online support groups for survivors in its mission to help those with complex PTSD. The CPTSD Safe Group generally functions as an online group or message board where members can post, reply, and interact with others in the group.
Meanwhile, the CPTSD Peer Support Chat is similar to a chatroom where members can respond to one another in real-time. Both support groups are peer-led and moderated by CPTSD Foundation staff.
NAMI Connection
The National Alliance on Mental Illness hosts NAMI Connection, a free peer-led support group for anyone who has experienced symptoms of mental illness. These support groups typically follow a structured model to ensure that everyone in the group has an opportunity to share and be heard. Each meeting is 90 minutes long, and they meet every other week or once a month, depending on the location.
Nonprofits and foundations
These organizations can offer additional support to trauma survivors.
The Academy of Cognitive Therapy
The Academy of Cognitive Therapy is a nonprofit organization made up of physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals from around the world. Its goal is to support continuing education and research related to cognitive therapy. After 9/11, the Academy increased its efforts and formed a Trauma Task Force to help people receive the best support available after experiencing trauma.
American Red Cross Disaster Services
The American Red Cross offers disaster relief to those who face emergency needs after a disaster. This support not only includes providing food and shelter, but also offers health services to support the mind and body. Its goal is generally to help those affected by disaster resume their normal lives.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to educating legislators, healthcare professionals, and the general public to increase understanding about anxiety disorders. The ADAA is committed to improving the lives of people with anxiety. It provides information about diagnosing and treating PTSD, as well as an online self-screening tool for those who are struggling with potential PTSD symptoms.
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
The Military Health System established the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) in 1987 to address concerns about the health risks resulting from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, combat and peacekeeping operations, hostage events, and assaults. CSTS primarily provides services to members of the military and their families.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. NAMI has developed a Trauma Toolkit and lectures to prepare mental health providers to treat those experiencing trauma.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is an advocacy group that acts as an informational and referral center for survivors of domestic violence and their children, as well as the media and the general public. It also works to influence legislation that can protect survivors of domestic violence and provide access to healthcare centers, shelters, and other organizations.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides support for survivors of sexual assault via an online and telephone hotline. It also works with the Department of Defense to provide a hotline for members of the military who have experienced sexual assault.
Veterans Affairs PTSD Support Services
Veterans Affairs PTSD Support Services provides a network of over 100 programs for people living with PTSD. These programs offer evaluation, education, and treatment for veterans, including counseling, nursing, and social work services.
Therapy
Below, discover various ways to find a suitable mental health professional for your needs.
Psychologist Locator from the American Psychological Association
BetterHelp
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can empower you to meet with a licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection. You can communicate with your therapist via video conference, phone call, online chat, or in-app messaging. There are over 30,000 therapists on the platform, and you can change providers at any time until you find a professional with whom you are comfortable.
In addition to being convenient and flexible, research shows that online therapy can be effective. According to a 2022 meta-analysis, online and in-person therapy tend to produce the same client outcomes. Both can be suitable forms of treatment for a variety of mental health concerns, including the effects of trauma.
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