Trauma Therapy in Utah

STEPS RECOVERY CENTERS

Trauma, both childhood trauma and that which comes from PTSD, is common in most people throughout the country. Statistics show that most people will experience some form of trauma in their lifetime, and that there is a strong link between trauma and addiction. This is why Steps Recovery Centers integrates trauma therapy into our addiction treatment program in Utah.

If we just treat the substance and ignore the trauma, a patient might be at a higher risk of relapsing. That’s why trauma therapy is so important in Utah and all over the country. It can help people reduce anxiety, reconnect with loved ones, and learn techniques for coping with triggering circumstances.

What is a Trauma Therapy Program?

Trauma therapy addresses the emotions, reactions, and anxiety people experience due to past, recent, or ongoing trauma. The process is personalized for the individual and may incorporate a variety of different types of therapy:

=Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
=Trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy
=Trauma processing group therapy
=Mind-body bridging treatment (MBB)
=Dynamic psychotherapy

It’s essential to ensure the best possible chance for success and create a safe space for the person to heal. For that reason, there is no one specific approach to trauma-informed care.

Goals of a Trauma Therapy Program

The goal is to help trauma survivors reconnect with themselves and other people. Achieving that requires an individualized approach catered to that person’s unique experience, triggers, and emotions.
Trauma therapy in Utah can:

$Be in an inpatient or outpatient setting
$Include one or more of the therapy types mentioned above
$Occur daily, a few times a week, or once a week
$Be in an individual or group setting

It’s essential to assess the severity of the trauma and the person’s current symptoms and emotions. The individual should also feel comfortable with the approach to treatment.

For many trauma survivors, the group setting is compelling. It reminds them they’re not alone in their experience and are not at fault for what happened to them. Hearing other people’s stories and how they’ve moved beyond the trauma can be healing and inspiring.

It also allows the survivor to be a part of the healing process for someone else. Group therapy sessions may be combined with individual therapy and other techniques.

Does Everyone Have Trauma?

It’s not unusual for people to experience trauma. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. The World Mental Health Survey Consortium indicated that more than 70 percent of survey respondents had experienced trauma.

Trauma can be a one-time event or an ongoing experience. These could include:

$Being physically or sexually assaulted
$Getting in an accident
$Having a life-threatening illness or injury
$Losing a loved one
$Witnessing a death or injury
$Neglect as a child
$Living through a war, terrorist attack, or natural disaster
$Experiencing racism or discrimination
$Experiencing poverty or homelessness

Afterward, people may have lingering effects. It could be challenging to regulate their emotions or connect with other people. They might fear for their safety and have difficulty with day-to-day activities and responsibilities.

Benefits of Trauma Therapy

It helps people move on with their lives. Trauma therapy gives people a safe space to explore their memories and process the trauma. There are several benefits:

$Reduce depression, fear, and anxiety
$Learn powerful coping techniques
$Identify triggers
$Challenge the belief systems that may be holding them back
$Receive validation for their feelings and understand they're not at fault for what happened
$Relieve any feelings of shame associated with the traumatic event
$Promote mastery over their lives
$Focus on the future instead of the past
$Create a new mindset that's hopeful, determined, and empowered

Trauma-informed care has an excellent success rate. The majority of people will see reduced symptoms after trauma therapy. It frees them from a cycle of fear, shame, and anxiety.

This enables them to get back on track with their careers, families, and interests. It’s healing for the survivor and the survivor’s family and friends.

How Trauma Affects the Body

People usually have an initial reaction to trauma. Shock, confusion, numbness, anxiety, sadness, guilt, helplessness, and fatigue may occur immediately and for a few days, weeks, or even months following the event. The duration of the response may depend upon the severity of the event.

These feelings are not unusual. Most of the time, people won’t require therapy. They may seek individual or group counseling for added support when coping with the death of a loved one, recovering from an illness, or moving beyond physical or emotional abuse. Still, they will process the trauma and recover with time.

It’s also not unusual for someone to feel anxiety or sadness on the anniversary of the trauma, even years after it occurred. Even after so long, it’s not a problem if the person can process the emotion and return to their daily life.

Sometimes the reactions are more severe and cause ongoing distress for the trauma survivor. If someone is experiencing this for weeks, months, or years, and it’s interfering with their job, hobbies, and relationships, they may need help to heal and move beyond the trauma.

According to this publication in the National Library of Medicine, these ongoing, life-disrupting responses may include:

$Sleep disorders
$Nightmares
$Fear of recurrence
$Anxiety
$Flashbacks
$Depression
$Numbness

$Avoidance of specific people, places, and circumstances that remind the person of the traumatic event
$Irritability
$Anger and resentment
$Trouble thinking or focusing
$Mood swings
$Substance abuse
$Physical symptoms and disorders

If someone has experienced a traumatic event and continues to live with lasting emotional and physical responses that disrupt their relationships and daily life, they may benefit from trauma therapy.

In Utah, Steps Recovery Center serves trauma survivors all over the state with customized therapy programs. They do not have to continue to live with fear, depression, guilt, or anxiety. There’s a way out.

Trauma Therapy in Utah With Steps Recovery Center

Steps Recovery Center is here to offer hope. If the lingering effects of trauma interfere with your ability to enjoy your life, we can help. Our qualified therapists and counselors give you the tools and support you need to understand the trauma and your responses to it.

We’re here to empower you to take charge of your life. Our trauma therapy in Utah is welcoming, supportive, and personalized to meet your needs. Fill out our contact form or call us to set up a free consultation.