Treating Trauma, written by a Baltimore trauma therapist
So, now that we know what trauma is and how it impacts us, what do we do with it?
Too often, I work with folks who fear that the impacts of trauma will stay with them forever. They have lived their whole lives in fear, anger, and shame. How could that possibly dissipate? They’ve been in therapy before, for years even, and while they might know that what happened wasn’t their fault, they still can’t believe that.
Unfortunately, most traditional therapies fall short of addressing the deep impacts of trauma. We cannot just talk our way out of it. Because it doesn’t just live in the part of our brain where we logically think - it is instead lodged much deeper in both brain and body.
Fortunately, there are many proven ways of healing from trauma and letting go of the burdens that we hold onto. And not just from single traumatic incidents, but also the long-endured, complex, attachment-based wounds that often begin as young children.
My training is in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Brainspotting, both incredibly effective ways of treating trauma. Of course, I am biased toward them, but those aren’t the only methods available. EMDR, somatic therapies, and ketamine-assisted therapies are some of the other ways trauma can move through our bodies and be released. It’s important to find the method(s) and the provider(s) that are right for you.
How do you go about that, though?
Trial and error is one way, but of course, it can be costly if you have a hard time finding the one that is right for you.
You can also learn more about the different methods through podcasts, articles, YouTube videos, books, etc. – there is no shortage of ways to educate yourself. Just be sure to look at good sources and don’t trust everything you hear on TikTok (although some info is really good, too!).
I also recommend taking the time to consult with several different providers to see who is a best fit for you. Even if one seems great on paper, you might not click with them on the phone, and that is okay.
Brainspotting works really well for single-incident traumas and complex ones. It’s great if you want a less structured and more resourcing approach than EMDR. It helps you to drop into the part of the brain where the trauma is stored and help it get unstuck. In brainspotting, the therapist follows the client's lead, trusting your own inner teacher and your innate ability to heal given the right environment and tools.
I’ve found that IFS can make profound changes in one's system when people have had attachment-based and chronic traumas that started at a young age and when people have had a lot of “little t” traumatic experiences. It recognizes the parts that were there to protect you in any way they could and does not judge them for not always actually helping you the way they intended. By finding spaciousness and curiosity toward your own parts, these parts can transform, and the ones holding the burdens of pain can finally let it go.
What is best for you? It could be one of these and it could be something else. Either way, there is hope. You do not have to stay this way forever. I have seen clients’ beliefs about themselves and the world change as they’ve been able to process and let go, and I know that in time, it can happen for you, too.
If this sounds like something you need, you can reach out via email to schedule a free consultation call to see if we are a good fit. I also offer IFS and brainspotting intensives for both clients and non-clients, as well.
Keep shining your light,
Alli