Do you know what kind of trauma you have?
Trauma, Anxiety and Dissociation Therapy in Five Towns, Nassau County and across Long Island,NY
As a trauma specialist, I am often asked about trauma, what it means and how it looks like in daily life + best treatment methods.
There are two primary forms of trauma:
Type One: shock trauma
Type Two: developmental trauma
Shock Trauma usually refers to a single incident even that was shocking such as car accident, being assaulted, beaten or robbed.
Developmental Trauma is an ongoing form of abuse and hurt that is a "slow drip" form of trauma. It can be subtle “silent” hurts such as feeling unseen, emotionally ignored, or witnessing ongoing conflict in your home environment. The hurts can also come from being bullied in school, observing ongoing tension in family relationships or being shamed in a social setting.
These waves don't crash as "loudly" but the impact causes changes on how you feel in your skin, beliefs of yourself + how you show up in the world.
You can have shock +developmental trauma at the same time.
For example, if you were hit or yelled at (shock trauma) by someone who was supposed to care for you (a caregiver, parent, siblings..) and it was recurrent (developmental) you will experience both shock + developmental trauma.
As well, if there was ongoing chronic emotional neglect or sexual or physical abuse for a long period of time, the wounding will be in both shock + developmental areas.
How do you treat it?
Shock trauma needs to be treated first in reducing the coping skills that helped you get through the scary time, and helping you learn better, newer coping skills that fit better for today’s life.
Coping skills in face of trauma are often called"trauma defenses" which can leave you feeling hyper vigilant, dissociating when stressed or carrying tension in your mind + body. We want to help you orient to the fact that the danger is over and how to learn safety for the here and now.
We first help you re-learn how to be safe in there here and now and in your body.
Then, on that steady platform, we have the flexibility and endurance to process the developmental wounds, which look more like "themes of impact" such as negative beliefs, self sabotaging patterns, unsuccessful relationships or the ongoing hum of fear or worry that clouds above your head. Or a weighted feeling on your heart.
Best treatment for either/both of these traumas?
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a somatic informed therapy that has proven incredible relief to trauma as it is non-invasive and helps the body + mind process and relearn ways to be.
EMDR therapy as well is a great trauma processing tool. You'll want to ensure your therapist has specialized training in advanced EMDR methods to fit your symptoms and needs. Most often, basic EMDR training does not adequately address the treatment for developmental or complex traumas. Trauma experts usually choose to attend further training and consultation to be able to provide deep level work.
(EMDR therapists have to attend advanced consult + practice EMDR on 25 clients to be certified as EMDRIA Therapist. You can always ask your EMDR therapist about her training levels and specialization).
Talk Therapies are also important to healing, as they are the primary form of communication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapies also offer insights, awareness and create a warm space to invite changes and shifts.
IFS Therapy is a therapy method that incorporates this concept called “parts work” where we use a non-pathalogizing approach to healing getting to know all the parts of you at play.
Not sure if you have trauma? Guess what, it doesn’t matter what you want to call it.
If you have uncomfortable symptoms, know that there is relief available.
You don't need a diagnosis to begin healing. You simply need a beating heart + a commitment to finding your inner light.
Seeking relief today for your nagging anxiety, doubt or hurts from trauma? Not sure you even have trauma but want to feel resolved internally and feel better in your skin?
Reach out here for your free 15 minute consult. Our highly skilled staff would be happy to help.