Understanding Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy For Adults: Treatment For Trauma-Related Disorders
Attempting to heal from traumatic events while navigating the responsibilities and challenges of adult life isn’t always easy. Research suggests that psychotherapy techniques developed for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can help. These methods typically promote healthy processing of traumatic memories, along with adjusting harmful habits of thought, emotion, and behavior. We’ll review what you need to know to find success in trauma therapy as an adult.
Many effective trauma therapy techniques focus on learning to recognize and modify dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, and expectations resulting from traumatic stress. Others involve exposure therapy, which usually requires revisiting recollections of trauma under controlled conditions. Confronting the memories and aftermath of a traumatic event can be painful, but support from loved ones and a strong working relationship with your therapist can help you stick with treatment and move forward.
General vs. trauma-focused therapies
The effects of trauma on mental health can be far-reaching and unpredictable. While many people are aware that severely stressful and frightening events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, undergoing trauma (especially as a child) can also increase the risk of conditions like the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Personality disorders
Some people with these conditions may be effectively treated using therapies that don’t have a specific focus on trauma. For example, manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy (PDT) can both lead to significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Schizophrenia, meanwhile, may respond best to a combination of antipsychotic medications, psychosocial support interventions, and talk therapy.
Current evidence and clinical guidelines suggest that trauma-focused therapy, or TFT, may be the most effective approach for helping those with PTSD or other conditions exacerbated by traumatic experiences. TFT generally refers to a collection of psychotherapies in which treatment is primarily focused on addressing the effects of trauma on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Types of trauma therapy for adults
The following trauma-focused therapies have been found effective in repeated clinical trials and meta-analyses. They’re frequently recommended in clinical practice guidelines for PTSD by organized bodies of mental health professionals, such as the American Psychological Association (APA).
Cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD)
CT-PTSD is primarily based on the concept that an overly negative understanding of traumatic events and their aftermath can lead survivors to sense they are constantly threatened and endangered. The therapist can facilitate healthier attitudes by questioning the client about their mental and behavioral processes and helping them identify distortions in their thinking. CT-PTSD is strongly recommended by the American Psychological Association as a treatment for trauma symptoms. CT-PTSD is suited for children, adolescents, adult survivors, and even family members with loved ones who experienced trauma.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
Like CT-PTSD, this method is largely rooted in the basic principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition to exploring creative, constructive ways of processing traumatic memories, the client may learn relaxation techniques and other evidence-based coping skills to help them regulate their emotions. This makes this type of trauma therapy effective for complex trauma and childhood trauma. Although it was first developed for use with children and adolescents, there’s evidence that TF-CBT can also effectively reduce symptoms in adult patients.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
This form of psychotherapy can assist participants in re-examining negative beliefs about themselves and the world that they’ve developed in an attempt to make sense of their traumatic experiences. By helping them let go of unhealthy self-blame, expectations of danger and disaster, and a sense of hopelessness, CPT may be able to relieve many other symptoms of trauma. CPT is recommended as highly effective for PTSD by organizations like the APA and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
EMDR usually involves calling to mind a specific traumatic memory while paying attention to some type of rhythmic stimulation alternating between different sides of the body — often back-and-forth eye movements, though repetitive taps or sounds may also be used. Between recollections, the patient talks through the resulting thoughts and emotions with the therapist. This process is generally intended to alter the habitual bodily and mental response to distressing memories, and the available evidence suggests it can be strongly effective in treating PTSD.
Prolonged exposure therapy
Avoidance — habitual and exaggerated efforts to avoid recalling traumatic memories — may play an important role in developing PTSD symptoms by increasing a survivor’s sense of anxiety and expectations of danger.
Prolonged exposure generally focuses on addressing avoidance by helping the client gradually become more comfortable confronting reminders of their trauma, both in and out of the therapy setting. This technique has repeatedly been identified as one of the most effective forms of trauma treatment for adults.
Challenges of trauma therapy for adults
While undergoing trauma-focused psychotherapy may be an effective way to relieve distressing mental health symptoms, it’s not always easy or pleasant. Adults who have undergone this type of treatment often report that confronting memories of trauma can be painful, sometimes more so than they expected.
Many also find that the effects of working through their traumatic recollections aren’t limited to their time in the therapist’s office. They may experience distressing thoughts and emotions intruding into their everyday lives, which can sometimes have negative impacts on their work, social lives, and other meaningful activities.
However, most participants also discover that these difficulties lessen over time as they grow to be better able to manage their responses to discussing and remembering trauma. Clients often come to view the challenging aspects of therapy as a necessary, cathartic aspect of the healing process. A 2017 study of veterans who engaged in CPT and prolonged exposure reported that most believed the experience was worth the difficulty in the long run due to the symptom relief they attained.
What can help you successfully complete trauma therapy and improve your mental health?
Dropout — patients choosing not to continue the treatment process — tends to be a frequent obstacle to recovery in trauma-focused therapies.
One factor that may help a great deal is social support. Encouragement and understanding from family and friends are often cited as the primary reasons why adult patients complete therapy for trauma symptoms. This support plays a critical role in improving mental health.
If you’re preparing to engage in trauma-focused mental health treatment, you may benefit from talking with loved ones ahead of time and letting them know that you could use their support as you go through this challenging process. This could mean listening to you when you need to talk, being patient when you experience difficult emotional reactions, or providing practical assistance to help you manage your day-to-day responsibilities. You may also talk to your mental health provider and ask for a clinical practice guideline on the chosen PTSD treatment if you wish to know more about its process.
A strong relationship with your therapist can also be a helpful factor in the success of trauma therapy. The connection between the client and the treatment provider, commonly known as the therapeutic alliance, has been identified in many studies as a significant predictor of positive outcomes in adult therapy for trauma.
This suggests that choosing the right trauma therapist could be crucial to setting yourself up for success. When evaluating possible treatment providers, you might want to look for online ratings and reviews to see what their past clients have said.
Setting up a consultation before committing to therapy may also be helpful, allowing you to ask questions about the therapist’s treatment approach and philosophy. If you are respected, comfortable, and secure while talking with them, it could be a sign that they’re someone with whom you’d work well in therapy. A therapist who is knowledgeable about the trauma-informed approach is the best choice for those who experienced a traumatic event such as domestic violence or sexual assault. It is also good for trauma survivors who want to keep their mental health checked from time to time.
Finding trauma therapy as an adult
The most common way to start looking for psychotherapy after experiencing a traumatic event is typically by talking with your primary care doctor. They may be able to refer you to a trauma-informed therapist who’s worked successfully with past patients for trauma therapy. Looking for therapists who are trained in specific trauma-focused therapy modalities, such as CPT, EMDR, or prolonged exposure therapy, can help you ensure your provider is qualified.
Another option may be to search through your insurance company, which can help you find treatment providers who are covered by your insurance policy. Former service members with PTSD may also be able to seek assistance through the Veterans Administration.
Some professional associations and educational institutions can also help adults locate mental health providers who are knowledgeable about the trauma-informed approach. In addition to general databases of psychotherapists, such as the APA’s Psychologist Locator, you can search trauma-specific resources like those listed below:
- Emory University’s Nationwide Directory of Prolonged Exposure Providers
- The Cognitive Processing Therapy Provider Roster
- The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Clinician Directory
- The EMDR Therapist Directory from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
Online therapy platforms can offer another helpful option. These services can typically pair you with a qualified therapist based on your preferences and desired expertise, making it simpler to find a provider with whom you’ll have a strong connection. Online therapy platforms may offer services for a wide range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, complex trauma, personality disorders, dissociative disorders, and more. As noted above, forging a healthy therapeutic bond can improve your odds of positive treatment outcomes.
As online therapy becomes increasingly common, a growing number of studies suggest that it can be convenient and effective. A 2015 clinical trial directly comparing online and in-person cognitive processing therapy found no difference in the quality of results. If you’re comfortable receiving trauma therapy over the internet, there’s a good chance you’ll find it helpful.
Takeaway
What medication is used for trauma response and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment?
Trauma and PTSD are often treated with medications like SSRIs or SNRIs, which help regulate mood and reduce anxiety, though medication is often combined with therapy for best results. Medications are best paired with trauma therapy since therapy helps explore trauma-related beliefs, negative thoughts, and feelings of emotional distress that clients may be experiencing. Trauma therapy aims to help individuals who have experienced a past traumatic event by teaching coping skills on how to manage their symptoms.
What type of therapy works best for trauma, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)?
Therapies like EMDR and CBT are among the most effective in helping individuals process and heal from trauma. Other types of therapy that may also be beneficial for individuals with trauma-related issues include art therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Consult a nearby physician or therapist to assess which type of therapy is suitable for accessing and exploring one’s trauma memory to address its symptoms.
What is the most successful trauma therapy for adults?
Different therapies work for different people, but Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and EMDR are commonly recommended as highly effective for adult trauma survivors. Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable about the trauma-informed approach is essential for those seeking therapy for traumatic memories and other trauma-related conditions.
What are the symptoms of unresolved trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mental health?
Unresolved trauma and PTSD can manifest as constant fear, emotional numbness, difficulty sleeping, and avoiding reminders of the trauma, all affecting mental health.
How do I know if I need a trauma therapist, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, for treatment?
If trauma is interfering with daily life, causing emotional distress or avoidance behaviors, seeking a trauma therapist or exploring EMDR may be a helpful step toward healing. EMDR engages both sides of the brain, known as bilateral stimulation, through eye movements to help clients process their emotions and traumatic memories. Traumatic experiences such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, domestic violence, near-death experiences, disasters, and accidents can cause extreme PTSD symptoms in individuals.
In addition to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, individuals may also try other types of trauma therapy, such as trauma-focused CBT, which is a technique for children, adolescents, and adult survivors who have experienced trauma. This type of trauma therapy aims to address mental health needs and unhealthy behavior patterns related to trauma. It’s important to address symptoms before it turns into an Acute stress disorder or Post-traumatic stress disorder.
How to release trauma from the body?
Several ways can be done to release trauma from the body, such as psychological therapies and body-based practices. Types of trauma therapy that help treat trauma-related symptoms include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and more. Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on physical sensations and being mindful of the way the body reacts to emotions. Somatic therapy is used for a variety of physical issues and mental health disorders, such as chronic pain, digestive disorders, mood disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Body-based practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga can also help, not just in managing trauma symptoms but also in the healing journey of adult trauma survivors who endured traumatic experiences during childhood, typically in the form of childhood trauma or complex trauma. Individuals may tend to feel dissociated from time to time as a way for their nervous system to cope with trauma, which is why grounding techniques and yoga may be helpful.
What does unprocessed trauma look like?
Unresolved or unprocessed trauma can manifest in a lot of ways. Some signs of psychological trauma include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, dissociation, guilt, anxiety, and depression. Past trauma can also manifest physically in the form of chronic pains, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. When these signs and symptoms arise, it’s important to have them addressed by a trauma therapist or mental health professional. Licensed therapists can provide effective therapeutic techniques for treating trauma and other related mental health disorders. These professionals can also teach coping skills for those who have experienced trauma, which can be helpful for their healing process.
What are 4 emotional symptoms of trauma?
Common emotional symptoms of trauma include having flashbacks of traumatic memories or traumatic experiences, depersonalization, feelings of being detached, nightmares, and brain fog. Symptoms of trauma can be addressed through talk therapy with a trauma-informed therapist. Several effective therapeutic techniques are used by mental health clinicians for trauma treatment, such as prolonged exposure therapy (PE), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and EMDR therapy.
What is the new trauma treatment?
Research for new trauma treatment is still ongoing; however, there are already several psychotherapy treatments and therapeutic modalities that mental health clinicians use for treating trauma, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Other types of therapy that may also be helpful to add to your trauma treatment include music therapy, art therapy, and forms of talk therapy such as internal family systems therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.
What is intensive therapy for trauma?
Intensive therapy for trauma involves specialized, concentrated, and extended sessions of therapy to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences faster than traditional weekly sessions of therapy. Intensive therapy is good for treating PTSD comprehensively while promoting a safe and supportive environment for the healing journey of individuals.
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