What Trauma Therapy Really Offers — From Someone Who’s Lived It
“I am able to walk forward in healing and freedom with the knowledge I have gained.”
What Trauma Therapy Really Offers — From Someone Who’s Lived It
Behind every conversation about trauma care is a real person doing the hard work of healing.
Elisabeth, a very real and very amazing person, shares insights from their experience with therapy, the difference trauma-informed care makes, and why access to the right support can change everything.
Read Elisabeth’s insights here:
How does therapy make a difference in someone's life?
Therapy makes a difference in someone’s life for a variety of reasons. The first thing is that it creates a safe space to express all your thoughts and emotions without judgement. A good therapist will make sure to remind their client that they can share whatever is on their mind and they will be met with kindness, not shame or judgement. Therapy also allows a person to heal from their deepest emotional and mental wounds due to having a safe environment to process anything. When a person is able to share their past and move forward in the present without their past weighing them down, you know that therapy has helped in some capacity. A person in therapy can gain skills to help cope with emotions that can become overwhelming. Skills are often gained when practicing them in therapy. Lastly, and probably most important, is that it helps change negative thought patterns and increases self awareness. I have found that when I have been able to shift out of negative thought patterns, I am able to walk forward in healing and freedom with the knowledge I have gained.
How does trauma therapy make a difference vs. traditional therapy?
Trauma therapy focuses on stabilization and safety first before sharing any memories. I have found trauma therapy to be highly relational and compassionate. Often, a trauma therapist has been through some type of trauma themselves. Therefore, they are able to empathise and relate to their clients more. Trauma therapy focuses on body sensations instead of regular talk therapy. You can become more aware of how your body responds to situations so you can meet your body’s needs by helping it feel safe through a variety of grounding techniques. It also offers somatic approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
What happens when people can't access trauma therapy?
If people can’t access trauma therapy, then there can be significant struggles in a person’s life because their mental, emotional and physical needs are not being met. They can struggle with relationships, suicide ideations, addictions and physical pain. Without professional intervention, trauma can remain stored in the body and brain, causing chronic survival responses (fight, flight, freeze or collapse) and potentially worsening conditions like Complex PTSD. A person can go in and out of psychiatric hospitals that unfortunately do not know how to treat someone with PTSD. Medication only goes so far for treatment. In worse case scenarios, a person can self harm and end up committing suicide because they feel like they can no longer tolerate the pain they are in mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Are there any challenging aspects to accessing quality trauma therapy care in Arizona (insurance gaps, need for faith-based providers, etc)?
There are definitely a variety of challenges in Arizona to accessing quality trauma care. I have found that a lot of trauma therapists do not take insurance, or they are very limited in what insurance companies they work with. Those who are on AHCCCS, Medicaid, or Medicare, are often limited to therapists who do not have the knowledge or skills in how to help someone with PTSD. I have been through a lot of therapists who unfortunately ended up doing more harm than help because they were not aware of how certain statements or actions can negatively affect someone who is in a trauma response. These actions include dismissing feelings, invading personal space, creating loud or sudden noises, forcing discussion, and assuming needs.
What words of wisdom would you give someone considering therapy?
It takes great courage to even consider therapy because you are taking a risk in opening yourself to share things that are highly emotional or sensitive. Therapy can be one of the most life giving experiences you can have. When you find a therapist that is the right fit for you, you can start to walk in joy and freedom from past struggles. Furthermore, when you have someone who is in your corner encouraging you to succeed, you begin to truly believe you can and move forward without things holding you back.
What would you tell someone considering supporting Shine His Light in ensuring people have access to trauma therapy?
Please consider supporting Shine His Light so more people can gain the healing they rightfully deserve. There are many who are in need of a therapist who knows why their brain and body react the way they do. Trauma therapy provides not only a safe space, but a space to be seen, heard, and met with compassionate care.
Anything else you'd like our readers to know?
Don’t give up on therapy if you’ve had negative experiences. Keep trying until you find the right fit. There is someone out there that can help you heal, gain wisdom, and offer the space of safety and security you are looking for.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth
Elisabeth’s story is a reflection of courage — the kind it takes to keep showing up, to keep searching, and to not give up on healing even after disappointment.
Perseverance matters. Healing matters. And beloved children of God Almighty like Elisabeth are why Shine His Light exists — so more people have the chance to find the care that truly helps them heal.
“Please consider supporting Shine His Light so more people can gain the healing they rightfully deserve. There are many who are in need of a therapist who knows why their brain and body react the way they do. Trauma therapy provides not only a safe space, but a space to be seen, heard, and met with compassionate care.” ✨Elisabeth✨
Learn more about Shine His Light today
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