Trauma Therapy Program

When someone experiences a traumatic event or on-going trauma, the brain sometimes shuts down the memory to protect the individual. When a triggering object, words, actions, or events occur, it sends a signal to the brain that the person is in danger and alerts them through the fight or flight response. People can go years or decades without knowing why they get emotional or get bodily symptoms, such as anxiety when these triggers pop up.

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What is a Trauma Therapy Program?

Usually, treatment for traumas incorporates several elements that include dynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, trauma process groups, and more. There are several trauma disorders in which trauma process groups can help: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder (ASD), childhood trauma disorders, dissociative disorders, and adjustment disorders.

The program can be individual or in a group setting, and either in a residential inpatient setting or in an outpatient therapy setting. Either way, a counselor or therapist directs the program that best fits a person’s individual needs and comfort level. Since those who have dealt with trauma tend to be anxious or have depression, it’s an excellent setting to peel back the onion of memories, or at least the ones that have affected the person in a safe environment. Doing so helps them process the trauma(s) and enables their brains to stop sending triggers of danger.

Trauma therapy programs can be daily, or it can be three times a week, or just once a week. It all depends on the severity of the trauma and the individual’s comfort level.

Types of Therapy Programs

To ensure people who are going through trauma processing have the best chances of success and in a safe environment, a counselor may employ different techniques of therapy. For example, those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a therapist may incorporate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Rapid Processing), trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma processing group therapy, or mind-body bridging (MBB) treatment.

For someone who was abused as a child, the therapy may focus on trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy or other therapies to help the person process their abused past. For domestic violence, couples therapy or group therapies work well. At Steps Recovery center, we customize trauma therapy programs to ensure the person has the care and support they need to heal.

Goals of Therapy Programs

Trauma affects most everyone, but not everyone will develop a disorder related to their trauma(s). It’s the goal of therapy programs to bring survivors out of isolation and into connection with one another. This is done in a group setting, usually, and can be very therapeutic. It also allows the person to contribute to the healing of other people in the same situation.

Other goals of trauma therapy programs include:

Relieving shame –This is particularly true when the trauma was verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Shame is one of the lasting effects of interpersonal trauma that a person can carry for a lifetime. They may feel an intense and destructive feeling of self-disgust or self-worth. Participating in a group setting with fellow survivors can provide a powerful antidote to shame. Knowing other people feel the same way, and allowing those feelings to the surface is very empowering.

Promoting mastery– Individuals who have experienced trauma feel a sense of helplessness and loss of control over their lives. When the trauma is on-going or repeated, it can lead to a sense of powerlessness. The goal of therapy is to reclaim that power and refuse to let the trauma victimize you.

Providing a future orientation – adeep-seated effect of psychological trauma is a foreshortened sense of the future. Survivors are typically stuck in the past and may feel hopeless to change. The act of planning and executing a goal is very empowering in fostering a new mindsight that includes hope and determination.

Integration of past and present and memory and affect – Within this treatment modality, it allows for the person to bring out the traumatic memories and associated reactions in a safe environment that allows for self-reflection and the expression of emotions. Memory and affect are joined, and the past is remembered with feeling, along with any bodily states that first accompanied those events. Memories are then interwoven with new feelings born of remembrance and reflection on the past.

Following a successful trauma therapy program, individuals can move forward with their life, knowing they are in full control of their emotions and no longer feel victimized.

jason ward

2021-05-18

I'm from Idaho and i had a hard time finding help I ended up at Steps 350 miles from home. I was treated with respect and dignity . I was in a dark spot and found the help I needed.

Lisa Wissler

2020-06-02

My first experience with Steps was in 2014. I was very scared and didn’t know what to expect. I had so much shame and was shocked at the idea that I was going into rehab. How had my life lead me down that road? I wasn’t “that kind of person” I arrived on a Thursday night and I was so broken & ashamed! What started out to be the worst day of my life became the best decision I ever made! I stayed for 90 days and remained sober for two years. Sadly It wasn’t where my story with Steps ended, but I’m very grateful that I was blessed to still have the relationship and resources available when I needed them. After a relapse in 2016 when my father passed away I attended aftercare week after week through Annie’s house, I also visited often to learn through family group. But my relapse continued and slowly took its toll as my mental health deteriorated along with all the shame that continued to build. After almost two years of continued struggle one of the counselors through steps who had constantly tried their best to help me remember the tools I had been given why at Steps suggested I check myself back in and see if maybe they could help again. That was over eight months ago! I feel better than I did the enter two years I was sober the first time. Even during my first bout of sobriety I felt suicidal. I don’t deal with that anymore and it is a true miracle. I love Steps and Annie’s house, there staff and all they represent! They truly love addicts and want them to succeed! And today I am not ashamed and I am tickled to be “one of THOSE people”!!!

Konner Zoellner

Steps recovery helped me so much. They changed my life!

gary hanson

2019-06-05

Steps ;saved our daughters life as well as her kids!

Natalie Painter

2019-01-01

The staff and facility is amazing- Couldn't ask for anything better. The program is well rounded with rec activities, equine therapy, gender therapy, group therapy, individual and couples therapy, and also attends various 12 Step support groups such as AA or NA. They also have family therapy and processing with options for individual settings or in a group. These help families understand what their loves ones who suffer from addiction is going through and how to support them, and also gives them their own support system.

James Merritt

2018-12-18

Staff is very knowledgeable and compassionate. Excellent facilities, great food.

Eric Hawke

2018-12-14

I would recommend Steps to anyone seeking help for his/her addiction. This program saved my life. The facility is nice and the food is outstanding! However, the program and the staff are the real treasure of this facility. Truly personal, caring and considerate interactions were the norm, and the support provided is world class. 10 out of 10 for sure.

BRIAN MEYER

2018-11-14

This place saved my life! The therapists were very helpful, friendly and really cared about the clients wellbeing. The tech’s were alway helpful with meds and anything that was needed. House manager was amazing, had high expectations on job duites, and kept a very clean organized atmosphere. Food was always amazing I never went hungry! The information and skills that I have learned and applied to my life are priceless. If your not willing to put forth the work to change your life this is not your place, but if you are this is the first Step to take. I Love everyone at Steps. Thank you for all your help.

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Trauma Therapy Program

Take that First Step

Take that First Step

What is a Trauma Therapy Program?

Types of Therapy Programs

Goals of Therapy Programs

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