Self-destruction is common in trauma victims, and it may present itself as self-harm or even suicidality. However, there is a kind of “domino effect” that takes place because of the experience of traumatic attachment. If the pattern is recognized early enough – before the dominos begin to fall – trauma victims can begin healing. The [...]
Trauma-informed stabilization treatment, or TIST, is a method of treating trauma that was developed for those who exhibited severe self-destructive behaviors and have not responded to other forms of therapy. TIST was originally developed for seriously affected trauma victims aged 18 to 25 who were not only self-destructive, but many were chronically suicidal as well. [...]
Various types of traumas involve the exploitation of the victim’s body, mind, and emotions for the purpose of exerting control, gratifying the perpetrator’s needs, and/or releasing tension. This is precisely why trauma victims often utilize their bodies to get relief from their own tension or other symptoms they experience as a result of their trauma. [...]
The term relational trauma refers to any event involving a person betraying, abandoning, or failing to support someone they have an attachment bond with. Another term for this is attachment injury. Relational traumas make it difficult to cope and tend to reframe relationships into something dangerous instead of a place of safety during stressful times. [...]
Surviving a traumatic event is challenging all on its own. But each day, trauma survivors are expected to continue with their daily lives as though nothing has changed for them. They struggle with feeling overwhelmed, afraid, and lonely, and experience consistent emotional ups and downs. It should come as no surprise that so many trauma [...]
Trauma is a term mental health treatment professionals use to refer to the psychological damage and emotional pain a person experiences as a result of a particular event. The event could be a natural disaster like a hurricane or tornado and the aftermath of that occurrence. Or, the event could be the betrayal of a [...]
As humans speak about themselves, it is common for them to use the word, “I.” This tendency is the default setting for us, and it is a lot like other learned behaviors that become commonplace. Just as we learn and mindlessly repeat behaviors like how to shake hands when we meet someone, how to ride [...]
Trauma affects everyone differently, and it is even possible to have been traumatized without realizing it. This may occur because of memories you have suppressed, or because you simply do not realize the impact a specific event had on you and the way you think, feel, and interact with the world. Internal Family Systems (IFS) [...]
Trauma therapists have a multi-faceted role during IFS therapy. It is up to them to: • Encourage the client to become curious. • Provide trauma education. • Notice certain themes and patterns of behavior. • Help the client identify their triggers. However, therapists are also taking note of and listening for the “voices” that are [...]
Healing the Parts in Trauma Therapy: What Happens After Witnessing? As we have discussed, witnessing is the part of trauma therapy that involves “listening” to a Part tell the story of its trauma. This may come in the form of scenes or images in your mind, or you could experience it like you are watching [...]