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The Key Differences between Trauma Therapy and Regular Therapy

The Key Differences between Trauma Therapy and Regular Therapy

Traumatic events can leave lasting psychological and emotional scars that often manifest later in life and may lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Therapy is the most effective way to address these effects and treat trauma, and the right therapist can help you heal and find inner peace. Liz Chelak is a qualified mental health professional experienced in trauma-focused treatment. She employs advanced trauma-focused methods, designed to your unique needs, to provide effective and compassionate care so you can confront and work through your trauma.

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Therapy can help you identify and change troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It provides mental health support so you recognize the subtle patterns of thoughts and behaviors, address root problems, and seek relief from whatever is troubling you. It also teaches you more constructive ways of coping.

Dealing with trauma is not easy, and it can affect your health and life in multiple ways, often resulting in negative consequences that you may expect. Trauma therapy is designed to help you overcome the damaging effects of traumatic events you have been through so you can move forward in life. While regular therapy can be helpful, the fundamental differences between the two make it necessary to get the right support for timely management of the problem.

What is regular therapy?

Also called psychotherapy or counseling, therapy is the process of meeting with a trained professional, known as a therapist, to resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, relationship issues, or somatic responses in the body. Starting therapy can be a big step towards being the healthiest version of yourself and living the best life possible, no matter what challenges you may be facing.

With the help of therapy, you can change self-destructive behaviors and habits, resolve painful feelings, improve your relationships, and more.

What is trauma therapy?

It is a specialized form of therapy that addresses the unique needs and challenges of people who have experienced trauma in life. Trauma therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on traumatic experiences and how they impact an individual emotionally and mentally. Trauma therapy can help to process the trauma, manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and learn new coping mechanisms to live a better life to heal from trauma and its effects.

Regular therapy vs. trauma therapy

Understanding the difference between trauma therapy and regular therapy is essential for making informed decisions about your mental health care. While regular therapy is beneficial for many mental health issues, it may not provide the targeted support needed for recovering from trauma.

Trauma therapy is specifically designed to address the unique challenges associated with traumatic experiences, using specialized techniques and a supportive approach. Regardless of which type of therapy you require, seeking help from a trained and experienced mental health professional is necessary to get the best help.

Read on to learn the key distinctions between trauma therapy and regular therapy and how they can help you so you can make an informed decision about which therapy would work best for you.

Focus area

Regular therapy is more focused on current issues and concerns, while trauma therapy helps people overcome trauma-related symptoms and experiences that are affecting their lives. Trauma therapists often use techniques that enable patients to access deep-rooted memories and emotions that they may not even realize they have. These techniques work to release these emotions and memories, allowing them to process their trauma better.

Types of therapy

Regular therapy employs cognitive behavioral approaches to help people change their negative thoughts and behavior patterns, while trauma therapy uses techniques like EMDR therapy, prolonged exposure, and cognitive processing therapy. With the help of these techniques, trauma therapists empower patients confront their trauma and work through them effectively.

As there are different types of therapies for different kinds of traumas, it is important to work with an experienced therapist who can recommend an approach that best fits your needs and helps you heal.

Collaborative and trust-based relationship

Both trauma therapy and regular therapy focus on creating a trusting relationship between the patient receiving the therapy and the therapist. Trauma emphasizes compassion, patience, and understanding, as it can take a lot of time and effort to heal from trauma.

Trauma therapists identify the survivor’s needs and work in collaboration with them. In comparison, regular therapy has a goal-oriented approach with short-term therapy goals to achieve work and life goals.

Emotional support

Both regular and trauma therapy give particular attention to emotional support to assist an individual deal with life challenges or mental health problems they are facing. Trauma therapy goes a step further as trauma can lead to intense feelings of grief, loss, and other emotions that become difficult to manage. Trauma therapists are trained to provide the necessary emotional support that can help patients navigate their emotional experiences and move forward and away from them.

Measuring the progress
Trauma therapy works slowly to achieve progress as it specifically focuses on the trauma. Therapists regularly measure the progress achieved in terms of trauma reduction or emotional stability and work with patients and the referring healthcare community for the best results.

In regular therapy, progress is discussed in terms of the client’s goals for enhancing functional areas like relationships, work, personal growth, etc. to ensure desired results.

Why choose trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy becomes essential if you have experienced significant trauma in life and struggle with its effects. Trauma therapy offers specialized techniques and a supportive environment that is specifically designed to help you process your trauma and develop healthy coping strategies.

Trauma therapists provide a compassionate approach that is tailored to trauma therapy, so you get the best care to heal effectively. Finding a qualified and experienced health professional in trauma-focused treatment is essential for the best outcomes.

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The healing process in trauma therapy

The healing process in trauma therapy involves several stages, each of which is essential for achieving long-term recovery and emotional well-being.

A mental health professional can guide you through these stages, ensuring you receive the most appropriate trauma-focused treatment.

Establishing safety

The first step in trauma therapy is creating a safe and supportive environment. This involves building trust between you and the therapist, ensuring you feel secure enough to explore your trauma experiences.

Processing the trauma

Once you feel secure, you can start processing your trauma. It involves talking about the traumatic event, understanding its impact, and working through emotions. Therapists usually use EMDR and CPT during these stages.

For more information about our counselors or to schedule an appointment for your therapy, call our office by number:

(561) 363-7994

Developing coping skills

You can learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage the emotional and psychological effects of trauma. These skills can help you handle triggers and reduce the intensity of your reactions.

Reintegration

The final stage involves integrating the lessons learned into group therapy back into daily life. You can work on rebuilding your sense of self, improving relationships, and setting goals for the future.

The difference between trauma and regular therapy lies in their focus areas, the types of therapy used the relationship between the therapist and the patient, the emotional support, and the overall goal.

Trauma therapy is the right approach if you have experienced a significant injury or event in your life that has affected your emotions or behaviors. On the other hand, regular therapy can help you manage everyday stressors or anxiety-related issues. Remember, working with an experienced and trained therapist is crucial for your well-being.

At Trauma Therapy Center, Liz Chelak provides high-quality trauma therapy specifically tailored to your needs. Liz understands what you may be going through after your trauma and how it can affect your emotions, behaviors, and life. She uses evidence-based techniques to help you process your trauma and develop healthy coping strategies. She focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment where you can feel empowered to heal and move forward.

Page Modified on Jan 20, 2025 by Liz Chelak (Trauma Therapist)