According to The National Council for Behavioral Health, more than two-thirds of Americans have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. Furthermore, trauma is a contributing risk factor for almost all substance use and behavioral health disorders. In other words, trauma is prevalent and disruptive in most Americans’ lives. That is why trauma-informed care and treatment is so critical.
Connections Wellness Group understands that the need for trauma therapy programs is greater than ever. We provide comprehensive mental health services to residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and use a trauma-informed care approach. Call 940.360.4245 today to learn more or get started.
What Is Trauma?
When a person experiences events or situations that are too much for them to handle and reacts with intense feelings of fear, horror, or helplessness, it’s called trauma. This overwhelming stress can be too much for them to handle and have lasting adverse effects on an individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Trauma has been linked to numerous physical health problems like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and COPD.
Types and Sources of Trauma
Trauma can come from a variety of sources, and it’s essential to recognize these to better understand the individual’s experiences and responses. Here are some common sources:
- Physical trauma – This refers to injuries that harm the body, like car accidents, falls, burns, or sports injuries.
- Emotional/Psychological trauma – This type of trauma often stems from extremely stressful events that shatter a person’s sense of security, leading to feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, and fear.
- Sexual trauma – This involves any form of unwanted sexual contact or attention, which can lead to lasting psychological distress.
- Childhood trauma – This includes neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse experienced in childhood, which can have long-term impacts on mental and physical health.
The Concept of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. This framework allows behavioral health professionals to create a safe, non-threatening environment that facilitates healing while imparting valuable skills for coping with trauma.
Connections Wellness Group in Texas, a provider of mental health services and programs, emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care. It promotes safety, trust, healing, and collaboration between providers and patients and focuses on empowering individuals who have experienced trauma.
Key Components of Trauma-Informed Care
The principles of trauma-informed care include:
- Safety – Ensuring that the individual feels physically and psychologically safe.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency – Building trust with the individual through clear communication and transparency in decision-making.
- Collaboration and Mutuality – Power is shared and balanced between the provider and the patient, promoting partnership and establishing mutual goals.
- Empowerment – Fostering a strength-based approach where individuals’ strengths are recognized, validated, and built upon.
- Sensitivity – Recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and understanding potential paths for recovery.
Trauma-Informed Treatment Approaches
Several evidence-based therapies are used in trauma-informed care, each designed to address specific aspects of traumatic experiences and their aftermath. Some of these therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This approach helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or emotions.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) – This therapy aims to reduce the long-lasting effects of distressing memories by engaging the brain’s natural adaptive information processing mechanisms.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This approach involves using skills such as mindfulness and emotion regulation to help individuals manage difficult emotions.
Trauma-informed care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s tailored to the unique needs of each individual, taking into account their specific experiences and sources of trauma. By fostering an environment of safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment, trauma-informed care paves the way for healing and recovery.
Contact Connections Wellness Group for Trauma-Informed Treatment Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health concerns stemming from trauma, we can help. Our professional and compassionate staff provides each patient with an individualized treatment plan to meet their needs and recovery goals.
Recovery from trauma is possible through a therapeutic trauma-informed care approach. Call 940.360.4245 today or reach out online to learn how to begin the journey to greater well-being.