How can I process trauma?
Processing trauma often involves exploring what happened and turning the experience that happened to you into a memory. The reason trauma has such a strong hold on us is because we are, on some level, reliving the trauma continuously. This is because our body doesn’t know that what happened to us is in the past and it is still reacting to the world as though we are in danger. To be able to process the trauma we need our bodies to know that what happened was in the past.
How to do this can be understood in three phases:
- Phase 1- Creating safety, stabilisation and engagement.
- Phase 2- Processing the trauma memories and the making meaning of them
- Phase 3- Consolidate gains and transition into engagement with wider society
We will be able to go through these phases at your own pace, slowly creating safety as you explore the traumatic memories and start to think about the future.
I can’t talk about what happened, can you still help me?
It’s very common for clients with a trauma background to start therapy sessions very overwhelmed or disconnected. I start sessions firmly in phase one by understanding the trauma symptoms you are experiencing and making a plan together about how we can address these symptoms. For example, if you find yourself dissociating, we can work on grounding techniques that work for you.
I also find it can be helpful for me to explain what is happening in your body that is causing these symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms of trauma can make you feel like you’re ‘going crazy’ and spending some time exploring exactly what is going on in your body and mind can be helpful. These symptoms were once key to your survival, and we need to work with your body to understand that the danger has passed.
Only when we have created a space and a plan that enable you to feel safe, will we start to explore the trauma itself.
Is there anything other than therapy that can help?
Yes! Physical activity like yoga can help you reconnect with your body. This can be quite a difficult experience at first so please do speak to your yoga instructor if unsure. Self-defence classes, martial arts and kickboxing can also be helpful, especially when having experienced violence that left you feeling angry and helpless. Support groups can also be helpful to talk to people who have been through something similar to you. EMDR can also be helpful and is available on the NHS or privately (I do not offer EMDR).
Therapy can sometimes only be helpful when combined with other activities. I have often recommended to exploring different roads to recovery that can complement the therapeutic work we do together.