Trauma-informed therapy

What is trauma-informed therapy?

Trauma-informed therapy prioritizes safety while exploring how past traumatic events may be influencing your life today. Unlike traditional therapy, which may analyze your current behaviors in a silo, trauma-informed therapy takes into account that past experiences may still be influencing how you live your life today.

The goal of trauma-informed therapy

The goal is to reduce different types of trauma responses and improve overall mental and physical health. Therapists help patients manage stress responses that may have become dysregulated. Techniques can include somatic experiencing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and internal family systems.

Benefits

The benefits of trauma-informed therapy include re-establishing safety, identifying triggers, and developing coping skills. Ultimately, the goal is for a persont to fully process their trauma.

Trauma-informed group therapy

In addition to individual therapy, trauma-informed group therapy can be especially powerful for those healing from trauma. It provides a supportive space to share experiences, validate emotions, and process past events with others who have similar struggles, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and shame. Trauma-informed family therapy can also play a crucial role in trauma recovery by rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, and offering coping strategies for both you and your loved ones, helping everyone manage the impact of trauma symptoms together.

What can trauma-informed therapy help with?

Traumatic experiences from childhood and early adulthood can result in many different issues. Here are some areas in which trauma-informed therapy can be used as treatment:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Complex trauma
  • Substance use
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Attachment disorders
  • Eating disorders

How is our approach to trauma-informed therapy different?

Clinical team response

Specialty group cohorts

Specialized trauma-informed curriculum

Immediate availability

Virtual access

Benefits of trauma-informed therapy

Our treatment programs are intentionally designed to meet the complex needs of clients experiencing trauma.

Empowerment

Develop skills to achieve lasting trauma recovery.

Safety

Address your physical and emotional needs in a trusted environment.

Outcomes

Improve daily life with maximum impact.

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FAQs about trauma-informed therapy

See All FAQs

What is the goal of trauma therapy?

The goal of trauma therapy is to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences, reduce their emotional distress, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

What type of therapy is best for trauma?

Trauma-informed care has been shown to result in positive outcomes for clients, whether they’re experiencing acute, chronic, or complex trauma.

Does trauma-informed therapy work?

Yes — Discharge outcomes for Charlie Health trauma clients include a significant reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms. 

What are the six modalities of trauma-informed therapy?

  1. Safety: Our virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) focuses on our client’s physical and emotional safety.
  2. Trustworthiness and transparency: Everyone needs to be on the same page, including therapists, clients, and parents.
  3. Peer support: Group sessions reduce feelings of isolation while boosting hope and healing during the recovery process.
  4. Collaboration and mutuality: All touchpoints are meant to be therapeutic.
  5. Empowerment, voice, and choice: Clients should be a part of the decision-making process rather than being coerced into treatment.
  6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues: Historical traumas are recognized while shedding past stereotypes or biases.

What is included in a trauma therapy session?

Individual sessions are often focused on three different types of experiences: relationally-focused therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and creative, expressive, and contemplative arts. Art and yoga are encouraged outside of therapy sessions as well.

Additionally, participating in a group cohort provides a supportive environment to work with others who have experienced similar traumas.

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