What is Trauma-Informed Treatment?
Trauma is everywhere in our world, and it affects countless people across the county and the globe. Trauma is any deeply disturbing or distressing experience that someone undergoes or is witness to, that simply overwhelms their ability to healthily cope. It can stem from several events or causes, including abuse, neglect, war, and natural disasters.
Trauma has several significant effects on a person’s mental and physical health and even their daily life in some cases. It can lead to serious conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and even self-harm and suicide. We’re going to look at how basing treatment around existing trauma is an effective way to promote healing and recovery.
What Is Trauma-Informed Treatment?
Trauma-informed treatment is a specific approach to therapy that acknowledges and takes into account the significant, even profound, effect that trauma has had on an individual’s life. Trauma-informed treatment aims to help promote healing and recovery by recognizing the far-reaching impact of trauma and providing comprehensive support and care that is sensitive to those specific individual’s needs. It can be one of the most effective ways of treating any mental health or recovery needs for someone who’s experienced trauma.
Benefits
How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that develops in response to experiencing or even witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD can manifest in many different ways, which means it’s important to be able to recognize the potential symptoms, so that appropriate guidance and treatment can be obtained quickly. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) provides a set list of criteria used for diagnostic purposes. These criteria include:
The individual has directly experienced, witnessed, or learned of a traumatic event that involved death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Persistent, involuntary, and distressing memories, flashbacks, or even dreams about the traumatic event which can cause intense distress and be caused by external cues.
Persistent efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or urges by avoiding all potential external reminders of the trauma.
It’s important to note that the symptoms must be present for at least one month, and be causing significant distress or impairment in daily functioning that aren’t attributable to other causes, such as medical conditions, medication, or substance abuse.
The Role Of An Experienced Trauma-Informed Therapist
When you’re looking for a mental health professional that will be able to help you or someone you know to work through challenges stemming from trauma, making sure they can provide crucial roles in the care is important. Here are some skills that your therapist should have:
They should be able to build or facilitate a safe and comfortable environment for individuals that have experienced trauma. This space is vital for helping the patient feel heard, respected, and validated.
They should also be able to communicate in a language that demonstrates their sensitivity to the nature of the trauma being worked on. Using language that avoids triggering you is part of finding a therapist that respects you.
Your therapist should be part of a respectful and effective collaborative effort that includes you. Practitioners should always work closely with their patients to ensure their needs are being met and preferences are taken into account.
Partner With A Leading Therapist For The Best Mental Health Care In Manhattan
If you or someone you care about is dealing with trauma and its effects on your daily life, Dr. Nicole Andreoli is uniquely equipped to help. As a leading trauma-informed therapist in Manhattan, she is ready to help New Yorkers get the mental health care that works for them. Reach out today to get started.
