Trauma Therapy of Bergen County

Our experiences from our past do not have to dictate and rule our future. When one has experienced trauma of any kind, it can sometimes be easier for our bodies and minds to go straight to the “fight or flight” mode, when we want to work towards getting ourselves more used to spending more time in the “rest and digest” mode. I can help you to discuss your trauma at your pace and begin the healing process, no matter how long ago the trauma occurred. You deserve to start living your life knowing you have practiced and learned more about self-care and self-love, and you deserve the opportunity to begin to move on from any negative experiences.

Trauma can include but is not limited to:

  • Trauma or Neglect as a Child

  • Emotional, Physical or Sexual Abuse

  • Difficult Parent Relationships

  • Challenging Relationships

  • Loss of an Important Relationship

  • Experiencing an Accident

  • Job Loss

Trauma is treatable and it is unique to each different person who has experienced it in one way or another. Many people do not discuss their traumatic incident for a long time and keep it inside. For others, trauma can be more recent, and trauma can present and be experienced in many different forms.

Regardless of how long it has been, seeking therapy from a trauma-informed therapist who can be supportive of you can be invaluable as you can work together towards getting the healing you deserve.

Trauma therapy is designed to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences. It uses various techniques and approaches to address the emotional, psychological, and physical effects of trauma.

Here’s how trauma therapy helps people heal:

Understanding and Processing Trauma

  • Creating a Safe Environment: Trauma therapy provides a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where individuals can express their feelings and experiences without fear.

  • Building Trust: Establishing a trusting relationship with the therapist is crucial for effective trauma therapy, allowing individuals to feel secure in sharing their trauma.

  • Psychoeducation: Therapists educate individuals about trauma, helping them understand how trauma affects the brain, body, and behavior.

Techniques for Processing Trauma

  • Narrative Therapy: Encourages individuals to tell their trauma story in a structured way, which helps in processing and making sense of their experiences.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A structured therapy that involves processing traumatic memories while focusing on external stimuli, such as side-to-side eye movements, to reduce the emotional impact of trauma.

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors related to the trauma.

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Involves repeated, detailed recounting of the traumatic experience to reduce the power it has over the individual.

  • Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on the body's physical responses to trauma, helping individuals release stored tension and trauma from the body.

Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills

  • Emotion Regulation: Trauma therapy helps individuals learn to manage and regulate intense emotions that arise from trauma.

  • Coping Strategies: Therapists teach healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, anxiety, and other trauma-related symptoms.

  • Mindfulness and Relaxation: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises help individuals stay present and reduce anxiety.

Rebuilding a Sense of Safety and Control

  • Empowerment: Therapy helps individuals regain a sense of control and empowerment over their lives, counteracting feelings of helplessness that often accompany trauma.

  • Boundary Setting: Therapists help individuals establish and maintain healthy boundaries, which is crucial for feeling safe and secure.

Addressing Related Issues

  • Comorbid Conditions: Trauma therapy often addresses related issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions that can arise from or be exacerbated by trauma.

  • Interpersonal Relationships: Therapy can improve relationships with others by addressing trust issues, communication problems, and relational trauma.

Integration and Healing

  • Integration of the Trauma: Trauma therapy aims to integrate the traumatic experience into the individual's life story in a way that it no longer dominates their thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.

  • Resilience Building: Therapy focuses on building resilience and inner strength, helping individuals cope better with future stressors and challenges.

  • Self-Compassion: Encourages the development of self-compassion and self-care practices, promoting overall well-being and healing.

Long-Term Strategies and Maintenance

  • Developing a Support Network: Therapy helps individuals build and maintain a strong support network of family, friends, and community resources.

  • Ongoing Self-Care: Emphasizes the importance of ongoing self-care and self-monitoring to maintain progress and prevent relapse.

  • Relapse Prevention: Teaching strategies to recognize and manage potential triggers and stressors that could lead to a recurrence of trauma symptoms.

By addressing the multifaceted impact of trauma and providing comprehensive support, trauma therapy helps individuals process their experiences, reduce symptoms, and move towards healing and recovery.