Trauma Therapy
There are many types of trauma therapy treatments. Evidence-based treatments have research evidence supporting their effectiveness. The following are a few of the main types of evidence-based treatments for trauma therapy:
Prolonged exposure (PE)
is a treatment in which a person is gradually exposed to their trauma-related memories, fears, emotions, and feelings about the event(s) to learn that these are no longer dangerous or need to be avoided. Patients typically meet with a therapist once a week for three to four months.
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PE is strongly recommended by the American Psychological Association as a first-line intervention for PTSD.4 In one study, 71% of participants experienced a decrease in PTSD symptoms with PE treatment.5
Narrative exposure therapy (NET)
focuses on the stories people tell themselves about their lives, which impacts their well-being and how they view themselves.
With the help of a therapist who is actively listening, offering connection and positive feedback, the patient creates a chronological narrative of their life, including both traumatic experiences and positive experiences. This helps reframe how they perceive their life and memories overall.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
is a trauma-focused therapy designed to treat PTSD. It helps patients challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. Writing a detailed account of the traumatic event allows patients to re-conceptualize the event to reduce its impact on one's current life. CPT is considered a first-line intervention for PTSD and is strongly recommended by the APA.
“The wound is the place where light enters you”
What Trauma Therapy Can Help With
People seek trauma therapy for any number of different issues. Some of the reasons people might need trauma-informed therapy include:
Combat trauma
Accidents
Assault or attack
Domestic violence or intimate partner violence
Community violence
Natural and man-made disasters
Medical trauma
Injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Physical abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse
Sexual abuse or assault
Early childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect
Traumatic grief
Bullying in schools or workplaces
Witnessing trauma or experiencing secondary trauma