Trauma can cause untold levels of harm and distress, particularly if the person who experienced it never gets the chance to heal fully. While it is completely normal to feel intense psychological and physical symptoms immediately after a traumatic event, symptoms that linger for months or years may indicate a mental health disorder developing. Healing from trauma is possible – and there is more than one method that can provide lasting relief. If you or a loved one is dealing with trauma, contact a crisis intervention program in Idaho at Imagine Boise by calling 888.597.2807.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma refers to an experience that leads to an intense emotional response, such as those associated with extreme or catastrophic events. For example, people can experience trauma from the loss of a loved one, being the victim of violence, or experiencing a natural disaster or accident. Whatever the cause, the effects of trauma tend to be the same. They include:
- Shock
- Anger or irritability
- Denial
- Fear
- Guilt
- Depression
- Anxiety
This is by no means an extensive list, but it does help answer the question, “What is trauma?” and demonstrate how serious the effects of trauma can be.
How to Heal from Trauma
Most people who have experienced a traumatic event want to learn how to heal from trauma. There is more than one method – and some people may be able to heal just fine on their own.
Most people will never go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet, if the signs of trauma continue to bother you or they develop into new symptoms that interfere with your daily life, treating your trauma may be your best option.
Professional treatment for trauma is performed by experienced mental health professionals. It typically includes extensive therapy, either as an individual, in groups with other people who are trying to learn to cope with trauma, or in family therapy sessions. These treatments can be done in either inpatient or outpatient treatment centers, depending on the severity of trauma and the intensiveness of therapy required to help people heal.
Is There a Correct Way to Heal from Trauma?
There is no “correct” way to heal from trauma. Healing from trauma is different for everyone, and people will respond to different types of treatment. The important element is that you find relief from your symptoms. Any method that can provide that relief is worth seeking out. Typically, the styles of therapy used to treat trauma include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Exposure therapy
While not a therapy style itself, a dedication to trauma-informed care is another essential component of quality and effective trauma therapy. Trauma-informed care is an approach that extends outside of the therapy room and into the institution itself.
It means being aware of the impact that trauma can have on people and how it can color a patient’s emotions and behaviors, as well as working to ensure that no part of treatment risks retraumatization.
Healing from Trauma at Imagine Boise
Imagine Boise is an adolescent treatment center located in the heart of Idaho. Our facility is dedicated to helping people between the ages of 12 and 17 recover from their behavioral health challenges and learn the tools to maintain their mental health for years to come.
We emphasize trauma-informed care throughout every step of the treatment process, and our compassionate team works tirelessly to help patients feel better, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and achieve a high quality of life that can sustain them far into the future.
When you’re ready to start treatment, call Imagine Boise at 888.597.2807. From the moment you call to the day you discharge, our team will be there to support you. You can recover, and Imagine Boise can show you how.