Trauma can leave deep emotional scars that impact every aspect of your life. When you begin looking for professional support, you want to know that the person leading your therapy understands how your experiences shape your daily life. That’s why finding a trauma-informed therapist is so important. A comprehensive trauma therapy program can be an absolute game-changer.
At True Life Center in San Diego, we practice a trauma-informed approach that guides the support we offer our patients as they find their way to recovery.
What Is Trauma-Informed Therapy?
Trauma-informed therapy is a philosophy that recognizes how impactful trauma can be on an individual’s life and health. Therapists who practice trauma-informed care prioritize creating an environment of safety and trust so you feel secure and comfortable to share your feelings and experiences during sessions. They understand how trauma influences emotions and triggers and can design treatment in a way that avoids re-traumatization and empowers you to heal.
Rather than treating just the symptoms, a trauma-informed therapist looks at the whole being. At True Life Center, we are committed to helping patients find healing in their minds and bodies.
Types of Therapy for Trauma
There are several effective types of therapy for trauma, and often, a combination works best. Common trauma therapy modalities include:
- Cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies (CBT & DBT): Therapeutic approaches that help identify unhelpful thought patterns and teach people healthy coping skills to manage uncomfortable emotions
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional hold
- Holistic therapies: Techniques like mindfulness, yoga therapy, and acupuncture all work together to address the mind-body connection of trauma. These practices work to calm the nervous system and promote peace of mind
At True Life Center, we utilize all of these methods in creating a personalized plan for you. We address the varied aspects of who you are.
Trauma-Informed Therapy Techniques
Trauma-informed counselors use a myriad of techniques to help patients cope with trauma symptoms and process memories at a pace that doesn’t retraumatize. They work to teach new coping skills, improve emotional management, and design sessions so that you feel in control. Common trauma-informed therapy techniques include:
- Grounding exercises: These are exercises that help anchor you in the present (focusing on your breath or immediate surroundings) to ease the impact of anxious feelings or difficult memories
- Mindfulness and relaxation: Practices like meditation and deep breathing can help greatly reduce stress and calm your mind and body
- Somatic therapies: Gentle yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, or other gentle body-focused activities support the nervous system and help to release tension
Healing with a Trauma-Informed Therapy
At True Life Center, our therapists take a compassionate, team-based approach. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and holistic providers collaborate to create a well-rounded treatment plan that includes counseling, any needed medical support, and wellness practices. At True Life, there’s always someone in your corner to help ignite transformation within you.
Healing from trauma may take time, but with the right support, it’s very possible. Over time, you’ll begin to notice your anxiety decreases, your mood improves, and you regain a sense of control. Nightmares and flashbacks might fade, your sleep can improve, and you start to feel like yourself again. Even small steps are meaningful signs of progress.
Trauma-Informed Therapy at True Life Center
After trauma, you need a way to recalibrate your stress response system. At True Life Center, this means neurobiological integration (NBI). When you find peace for both the mind and body, the result is deeper healing. We want to help you go from surviving to thriving.
Quality care is so important. If you’re in Southern California, True Life Center in San Diego offers trauma-informed care in a convenient outpatient setting. True Life Center’s experienced team offers compassionate, integrative support. Call 858.202.1822 today to get started, or visit us online.
