At Rebirth Recovery, our dedicated team implements trauma-informed therapy to the highest standards, creating a safe and supportive environment. We use evidence-based methods, personalized treatment plans, and holistic care to address each individual’s unique needs. Rebirth Recovery helps clients actively participate in their healing journey and achieve lasting recovery by fostering collaboration and empowerment.
What is Trauma-informed Therapy?
The approach is based on several key principles: safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. Therapists use these principles to guide their interactions with clients, ensuring that they are treated with respect and compassion. This form of therapy often involves a combination of traditional therapeutic techniques and specific trauma-focused interventions. By addressing the root causes of trauma and its manifestations, trauma-informed therapy aims to help individuals build resilience, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and ultimately, improve their overall well-being.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Works
Trauma-informed therapy works by integrating knowledge about trauma into all aspects of treatment. This means that therapists not only focus on the trauma itself but also on the ways it affects the individual’s overall well-being. The process typically involves the following steps:
Creating a safe and supportive environment is the first step in trauma-informed therapy. This involves building trust between the therapist and the individual, ensuring that the therapy setting is physically and emotionally safe, and providing a sense of stability and predictability.
Therapists work with individuals to understand the nature and impact of their trauma. This includes identifying the types of trauma experienced, recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, and understanding how trauma affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Empowerment is a key principle of trauma-informed therapy. Therapists help individuals regain a sense of control over their lives by encouraging them to make choices, set goals, and develop their own coping strategies. This process fosters self-efficacy and resilience.
Trauma-informed therapy involves a collaborative approach where therapists and individuals work together to develop treatment plans and strategies. This collaborative effort ensures that the individual’s needs, preferences, and strengths are considered and respected throughout the therapy process.
Therapists use various therapeutic techniques to address trauma, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic experiencing. These techniques help individuals process and integrate traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms of trauma, and promote healing.
What are the Different Types of Trauma?
Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences. Understanding the different types of trauma is essential for effective treatment. The main types of trauma include:
Acute trauma results from a single, isolated event that causes significant distress. Examples include natural disasters, accidents, or violent assaults. The impact of acute trauma can be immediate and intense, often leading to symptoms such as shock, anxiety, and confusion.
Chronic trauma occurs as a result of prolonged or repeated exposure to distressing events. This type of trauma is often associated with ongoing situations such as domestic violence, child abuse, or living in a war zone. Chronic trauma can lead to long-term psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Complex trauma refers to exposure to multiple, varied traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature. It typically occurs during critical developmental periods in childhood and adolescence, such as when experiencing abuse or neglect. Complex trauma can have profound effects on an individual’s development, relationships, and mental health.
Secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma, affects individuals who are indirectly exposed to traumatic events, such as healthcare workers, first responders, or therapists working with trauma survivors. This type of trauma can result in symptoms similar to those experienced by the primary victim, including emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout.
Developmental trauma occurs during critical periods of growth and maturation, such as infancy, childhood, and adolescence. It involves experiences of neglect, abuse, or other disruptions to healthy development, which can profoundly impact cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. Developmental trauma can lead to a range of difficulties, including attachment issues, emotional dysregulation, and impaired interpersonal relationships.
What are the Signs of Trauma?
Trauma can manifest in various ways, affecting both physical and mental health. Here are some common signs of trauma:
- Anxiety and Fear: Persistent worry and a constant sense of impending doom.
- Depression: Feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
- Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories: Reliving the traumatic event through vivid and distressing memories.
- Emotional Numbness: Feeling detached from emotions and unable to connect with others.
- Irritability and Anger: Easily agitated and quick to anger, sometimes without a clear cause.
- Guilt and Shame: Feeling responsible for the traumatic event or experiencing excessive shame.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing on tasks and maintaining attention.
- Avoidance: Steering clear of places, people, or activities that remind the individual of the trauma.
- Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions and activities.
- Changes in Eating or Sleeping Patterns: Experiencing insomnia, nightmares, or changes in appetite.
- Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional pain.
- Hypervigilance: Being constantly on alert, feeling jumpy, and having an exaggerated startle response.
- Self-Destructive Behavior: Engaging in risky activities or self-harm.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Headaches and Stomachaches: Frequent physical complaints without a clear medical cause.
- Muscle Tension: Chronic pain and stiffness in the muscles.
- Rapid Heartbeat and Sweating: Experiencing panic attack-like symptoms.
- Weakened Immune System: Increased susceptibility to illnesses due to chronic stress.
- Confusion: Trouble understanding and processing information.
- Memory Problems: Difficulty recalling details of the traumatic event or general forgetfulness.
- Negative Thoughts:Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world.
Recognizing these signs can be crucial for seeking appropriate help and support. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance and treatment. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and aid in the healing process.
How Rebirth Recovery Implements Trauma-Informed Therapy?
At Rebirth Recovery, we understand the profound impact trauma can have on an individual’s life. Our trauma-informed therapy approach is designed to provide comprehensive, compassionate care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Here’s how we implement trauma-informed therapy at Rebirth Recovery:
Our therapy process begins with a thorough assessment to understand the individual’s trauma history, symptoms, and overall mental health. This assessment helps us develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the specific needs and goals of the individual.
We focus on establishing a secure and nurturing atmosphere for our clients. Our therapy sessions are conducted in a comfortable, non-judgmental setting where individuals feel respected and understood. We ensure that our clients have a sense of safety and trust, which is essential for effective trauma treatment.
At Rebirth Recovery, we believe in empowering our clients to take an active role in their healing process. We work collaboratively with individuals to develop treatment plans, set achievable goals, and make informed decisions about their care. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of control and self-efficacy, which are crucial for recovery.
We take a holistic approach to trauma-informed therapy, addressing not only the psychological but also the physical and emotional aspects of trauma. Our services include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, and art therapy. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of an individual’s well-being are considered and supported.
Recovery from trauma is a journey, and we are committed to providing ongoing support to our clients. We offer follow-up sessions, support groups, and resources to help individuals maintain their progress and continue their healing journey. Our goal is to equip our clients with the tools and strategies they need to lead fulfilling and resilient lives.
Addressing Trauma and Addiction at Rebirth Recovery
Marguerite Mullan is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 13 years of experience in mental health and substance use disorders. She holds a master’s degree in Nursing Education from Chamberlain University and a post-master’s certificate as a PMHNP from Monmouth University. She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services to adults and children. Marguerite follows evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience, personal observation, and intuition. She has treated individuals with emotional and mental health needs, including depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and sleep disturbances. She has experience treating individuals in all levels of care, including inpatient and outpatient settings. With compassion and understanding, Marguerite’s comprehensive approach to mental health treatment is based on mindfulness and positive self-expression.
