How Does Trauma Therapy Work?

Up to 70% of adults will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. For many, the impact is short-lived. However, 20% of those adults will go on to develop a trauma-related response or mental health disorder from these adverse events. The memories and emotions that stem from a traumatic event can be debilitating. They can trigger alcohol or drug abuse, and the distressing symptoms of a mental health disorder. 

Although trauma and trauma-related disorders and emotional problems can be debilitating, there is hope for victims. Many different types of therapy can treat the distressing symptoms of trauma-related disorders. Trauma therapy is one such technique that is highly beneficial for trauma victims. Here’s how trauma therapy works, what it treats, and its benefits.

Types of Trauma Therapy

Different people respond better to different types of trauma therapy, and what works for one person may not be the best fit for another. An experienced trauma therapist will help you choose the best option that fits your needs, personality, and mental health history. 

From prolonged exposure to cognitive behavioral therapy, here are some of the most effective types of trauma treatments: 

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged exposure (PE) is a form of CBT that helps individuals gradually face memories, feelings, and situations related to their trauma. The basic idea is that avoiding reminders of trauma actually keeps the fear alive. Instead of avoidance, patients work with a therapist to safely revisit these experiences and reduce their emotional impact. 

There are two types of techniques used in PE: 

• Imaginal Exposure: Patients describe the traumatic event in detail during therapy, often in the present tense as if it were happening now. These sessions are typically recorded so the patient can listen between sessions and continue processing the emotions that come up.  
• In Vivo Exposure: Patients slowly confront real-life situations they’ve been avoiding due to trauma (e.g., driving after a car crash or going to crowded places after an assault).  

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on how trauma changes our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. Trauma can shatter a person’s worldview, creating distorted beliefs like “I’m never safe,” “It was my fault,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” 

In CPT, patients: 

1. Write an impact statement on how the trauma has affected their life,
2. Find “stuck points” or unhelpful beliefs that keep them feeling bad,
3. Use worksheets and therapist -guided questioning to examine and reframe these beliefs,
4. And practice new ways of thinking about their experiences.

The overall goal is to replace distorted and painful thoughts with healthier, more realistic perspectives. CPT is completed over 12 sessions and can be done in group or individual settings.  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT for trauma addresses the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For trauma survivors, seemingly harmless triggers, like a certain sound, smell, or location, can lead to emotional and physical reactions due to trauma associations stored in the brain. CBT helps patients: 

• Recognize harmful thinking patterns that keep them stuck
• Develop coping skills for managing symptoms
• Change avoidance behaviors over time
• Reframe negative beliefs about themselves and their safety 

There have been certain theories that explain the effectiveness of CBT being used for the treatment of trauma, one of which is emotional processing theory. This theory suggests that trauma survivors develop unhealthy mental associations that keep them feeling unsafe and distressed. CBT works to identify and change those patterns by replacing them with healthier ways of thinking and responding.  

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories by having patients focus on their memories while following a therapist’s finger movements, listening to sounds, or feeling gentle taps. 

This type of therapy may appeal to many people because it doesn’t require talking in-depth about the trauma. Instead of recounting every detail, patients can process and heal from their experiences in a different way. This makes it helpful for those who find traditional talk therapy overwhelming or have trouble putting their experience into words.