Many people believe that only weak people go to therapy. Is it true?

This is not true. While many people think that people with mental health problems are an anomaly and not fit to be part of mainstream society, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your willingness to accept your vulnerability and seek help, instead of trying to run away from your mental health issues speaks volumes about your character and inner strength.

Is talking to a therapist the same as talking to a family or friend?

A family or friend can offer you mental and emotional support, but they aren’t experts and might be unable to point you in the right direction. While opening up to the people who matter is a great idea, consider also talking to a therapist.

Trained and licensed therapists have the experience and know-how required to rescue people from the abyss of hopelessness. Your therapist will create a relaxing, calming environment to encourage you to share your thoughts, emotions, and feelings with them. They will help you learn new coping mechanisms and skills and gain new perspectives.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

You cannot become too dependent on medications as many have side effects. Once your body becomes used to a particular medication, stopping it may cause withdrawal symptoms.

Medication isn’t a cure-all for your mental health. It won’t solve all your issues even if it may temporarily improve them. Depending on your condition, medication might be needed in conjunction with therapy.

Who needs trauma therapy?

An individual who has experienced a traumatic event and has emotional scars from the event may benefit from trauma therapy with a licensed therapist.

What are some signs of trauma?

Some indicators of trauma can include the following:

• Recurring nightmares,
• Visual images of the event
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Mood swings.

What are some goals of trauma therapy?

Some basic goals of trauma therapy include:

• To teach traumatized people coping skills and mechanisms
• To eliminate or alleviate the symptoms of trauma
• Helping traumatized people overcome addiction caused by traumatic stress
• To equip patients with new skills and teach them ways to prevent deterioration or relapse

How does trauma therapy work?

During initial sessions, your therapist will ask you several questions about your mental health history. They will ask you to describe your symptoms, feelings, moods, and behavior patterns. They may also use psychological tests and other assessment tools to measure and observe your behavior.

Once your therapist arrives at a diagnosis, they will design a comprehensive treatment plan. An effective treatment plan will not treat just the symptoms of trauma, but also the root cause. During treatment sessions, your therapist will conduct various activities to equip you with new skills and help you brush up the existing ones. They will train you to identify and avoid triggers.

How long does therapy take?

Length of treatment will vary depending on a number of factors such as treatment goals, the type & severity of the trauma, and how deep trauma is embedded in the patient’s psyche.

How can trauma affect life?

Trauma can affect your private and professional life. Intrusive thoughts and memories can trigger strong emotional and behavioral reactions. Many traumatized people constantly think about hurting themselves may have low self-esteem.

Trauma interferes with daily life. Traumatized people often face problems performing activities of daily living and report low quality of life. They live in constant fear of reliving the memories of the traumatic event and go to great lengths (including cutting themselves off from society) to avoid trauma triggers.

What happens during a therapy session?

Before a session, your therapist will use incense sticks and soft music to create a relaxing and calming environment. Once you are comfortable, they will ask you to walk them through your daily routine.

They will ask you to describe your emotions, feelings, and thoughts. During a typical session, your therapist will conduct activities. They will also give you homework after every session. The purpose of these activities is to help you become more self-aware and equip you with the skills required to overcome trauma and self-destructive thoughts.

What are the different types of trauma therapy?

Here are some types of trauma treatment therapy:

• Prolonged Exposure (or PE) – Involves exposing the patient to their fear until they overcome it
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (or CPT) – Encourages the patient to challenge their beliefs and thoughts they have developed
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (or EMDR) – Uses rhythmic left-right stimulation to help release pent-up emotions blocked by trauma

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (or TF-CBT) – The objective of TF-CBT is to address inaccurate beliefs and unhealthy thought and behavior patterns.