Trauma is a significant and pervasive issue that can have a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. Traumatic experiences can shatter a person's sense of safety and control, leaving them feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and vulnerable. In response to this challenge, the Truth Center for Health and Healing in Philadelphia offers trauma informed therapy that focuses on healing the family.
What is Trauma?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, trauma is defined as exposure to actual or threatened events involving death, serious injury, or sexual violation. Traumatic experiences can be experienced directly, witnessed in person, learned about through others, or through repeated or extreme exposure to adverse details of events. However, not every person who experiences trauma will have traumatic reactions, and not all traumatic experiences are the same.
Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente Insurance identifies 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that can impact children, adolescents, and adults. High ACE scores are associated with physical health issues, mental illness, and early death. Trauma-informed therapists take care to understand the client's trauma and the potential impact it may have on their current and future well-being.
What is Trauma-Informed Therapy?
Trauma-Informed Therapy is an approach to therapy that is mindful of a client's trauma and its impact on their relationships, mental health, daily life, and ability to engage in treatment. Trauma-informed therapists assume that a client may have a trauma or tragedy in their history and will take steps to avoid inadvertently triggering or re-traumatizing the client in treatment.
Our Approach to Trauma-Informed Therapy
At the Truth Center for Health and Healing, we approach trauma-informed therapy with empathy, compassion, and a person-centered perspective. We understand that traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on a person's life and relationships with loved ones. Therefore, we strive to work collaboratively with our clients to build a treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals.
Our therapists enter each session with the client's familial and cultural history in mind. By taking into consideration potential influences and environments in which clients have had experiences that have shaped them, clients can feel seen, heard, and understood. Often, clients are unaware of the protective factors they have created for themselves in response to any trauma or tragedy. Our therapists carefully guide clients to understand these protective factors, heal from the trauma, and create a space to explore changes they want to make to take back control of their lives.
Individual Trauma Therapy
Individual therapy is a powerful way to work through the effects of trauma on your mental health and well-being. Our therapists provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their emotions, experiences, and beliefs related to trauma. We help clients develop coping skills, build resilience, and create a sense of safety and control in their lives. Our therapists are experienced in working with a range of trauma-related issues, including childhood abuse and neglect, sexual assault, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma and dissociation, medical trauma, and traumatic grief and loss.
Family and Couples Trauma Therapy
Trauma can affect not only individuals but also families and couples. Our therapists are trained to work with families and couples who have experienced trauma and are struggling with communication, connection, and trust. We provide a safe and non-judgmental space for all family members or partners to share their experiences and work towards healing together. We use evidence-based techniques to improve communication, increase emotional regulation, and build intimacy and trust.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy and Counseling
Trauma informed therapy and counseling can help individuals, couples, and families in many ways. Some of the benefits of trauma therapy include:
Reduced Symptoms
Trauma therapy and counseling can help individuals to reduce their symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By providing a safe and supportive space to explore their experiences, individuals can begin to process and work through their trauma in a way that is empowering and healing.
Improved Coping Skills
Trauma therapy and counseling can also help individuals to develop better coping skills, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and healthy communication. These skills can help individuals to manage their symptoms of trauma more effectively, and to build resilience in the face of future challenges.
Enhanced Self-Esteem
Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual's sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Trauma therapy and counseling can help individuals to rebuild their sense of self and to develop a greater sense of confidence and self-worth.
Strengthened Relationships
Trauma can also impact an individual's relationships with others. Trauma therapy and counseling can help individuals to improve their communication skills, build trust, and establish healthy boundaries, which can lead to stronger and more fulfilling relationships.
Increased Empowerment
Trauma therapy and counseling can help individuals to feel more empowered in their lives. By working through their trauma and developing new coping skills, individuals can regain a sense of control over their lives and feel more confident in their ability to overcome challenges.
Telehealth Services
We understand that attending in-person therapy sessions can be challenging, particularly for those who have experienced trauma. That's why we offer all of our trauma therapy services online, using a secure and HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
Online therapy provides a flexible and convenient way to access trauma therapy from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office. Our therapists are experienced in providing online therapy and can help you navigate any technical or logistical issues that may arise.
Next steps
Trauma informed therapy is a vital approach to helping individuals, couples, and families heal from the effects of trauma. At the Truth Center for Health and Healing, our compassionate therapists understand the complex nature of trauma and the impact it can have on a person's life. By taking a trauma-informed approach, we strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for our clients to explore their emotions, experiences, and beliefs related to trauma.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with the aftermath of trauma, we encourage you to reach out to us. Let us help you move from surviving to thriving.
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