A Comprehensive Guide to Trauma Treatment for Adults

Trauma treatment for adults is designed to help you overcome the emotional scars of traumatic experiences. Get the support you need to heal today.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is a complex experience that can affect someone’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Trauma can occur due to a one-time event, such as a car crash, or it can develop over time due to something that keeps happening, like abuse at home. Finding trauma treatment for adults is imperative to help individuals develop healthy coping strategies and get the help they need.

It’s important to know that everyone reacts to trauma differently. Some people may have more severe symptoms and need to seek out professional help. Finding effective and caring trauma treatment for adults helps people overcome trauma’s effects and live happier lives.

Questions About Treatment?

Let us guide you through your options and treatment opportunities. Contact Alternative Options today.

Types of Trauma

Trauma is a mental and emotional reaction to an event, experience, or situation that is upsetting or distressing. Many things, such as natural disasters, accidents, acts of violence, abuse, or other traumatic events, can cause trauma.¹

These traumatic events can be categorized into certain subtypes, including:²

Acute trauma. A one-time event, such as a natural disaster or car accident, causes this type of trauma.
Chronic trauma. This type of trauma is caused by ongoing or repeated events, such as physical or emotional abuse.
Complex trauma. This type of trauma occurs when a person experiences multiple traumatic events over a long period of time, often in childhood. These may also be referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

How Trauma Develops During Childhood

Trauma can profoundly impact a child’s development and lead to a range of emotional, behavioral, and physical problems that persist past adolescence. Childhood trauma can occur due to abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other traumatic events. When a child experiences trauma, their brain and body release stress hormones, which can impact their development in many ways.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can manifest well into adulthood, and, without healthy coping mechanisms, can continue to hinder emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being.

Examples of Traumatic Experiences

Some common examples of traumatic experiences include:

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Neglect or abandonment
Domestic violence
Witnessing violence or a traumatic event
Natural disasters or accidents
Serious illness or medical procedures

It is important that an individual finds support after experiencing trauma – whether the event took place in adolescence or adulthood – and that adults feel comfortable seeking treatment as well. This is often the first step in the healing process.

Impact of Childhood Trauma

When something traumatic happens to a child, it can affect the way they see things and make friends. Children who go through this might find it hard to trust others and also have difficulty making friends. They might also have trouble controlling their emotions and expressing their feelings.

Childhood trauma can also impact a child’s development in several ways. Children who have experienced trauma may delay their cognitive, emotional, and social development. They may also struggle with academic performance and may have difficulty with memory and attention.

Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adults

Adults who have unresolved trauma will often show many of those same physical impairments, such as becoming sick or dealing with undue stress, along with emotional and mental disorders as well. Seeking out trauma treatment for adults can help individuals overcome any symptoms that stemmed from adverse childhood experiences in order to become happier and healthier.

Coping With Trauma

Coping with trauma can be a complex and challenging process. Still, many effective treatment options for adults can help individuals manage the impact of trauma on their daily lives.³

When someone experiences trauma, they need to find ways to work through it so that it doesn’t disrupt their daily life. Coping can be a long journey, and different methods may be needed at different times to help heal.

Finding Healthy Coping Mechanisms From Home

Some healthy coping mechanisms can include exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques to help manage the effects of trauma. Engaging in hobbies or creative activities, such as art or music, can also be beneficial. Support from friends, family, or a professional therapist is also often essential.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another trauma treatment for adults. EMDR uses rapid eye movements to help individuals process traumatic memories and develop new coping strategies.

MBSR

Mindfulness-based interventions can also be beneficial. One example of this is called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). It is an effective treatment that helps individuals become more self-aware and better manage their emotions.

Options For Trauma Treatment For Adults

Access to effective trauma treatment for adults is crucial to aid individuals in recovering from the effects of trauma. There are several options for trauma treatment, and the best approach varies depending on each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Some trauma treatments for adults include:⁴

Therapy

Therapy is a common trauma treatment for adults and can help individuals process traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Medication

Medication may be prescribed to individuals with trauma if they have co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression.

Alternative Therapies

Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation are all examples of alternative therapies that have shown promise in treating trauma. These therapies help people deal with stress, anxiety, and other trauma symptoms by focusing on the present.

Group Therapy

Group therapy can be a helpful way to help people who have been through trauma. People can talk about their problems and learn from others who have been through similar things in support groups.

Art and Music Therapy

Alternative therapies like art and music therapy can help people show how they feel and deal with the effects of trauma. These therapies can be beneficial for individuals who struggle to express themselves verbally.

Family Therapy

Family therapy can be a good way to help people who have been hurt by something that happened in their family. Family therapy can help people understand how trauma has affected their family members and help them develop healthy ways to deal with it.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and beliefs related to trauma. CPT helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and opinions about themselves and the world.

Alternative Options Can Help With Trauma Treatment for Adults

At Alternative Options, our therapists use different kinds of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, and psychodynamic therapy, to help people work through any symptoms from the traumatic event they experienced and get the support they need.

Healing from trauma isn’t easy, but it’s possible with the right help and support. People who have experienced trauma can manage their symptoms and live a happy and healthy life with the proper treatment and support. We encourage people who have been through a tough time to focus on their mental health and reach out to trusted professionals, friends, and support groups.

Reach Out – We’ll Help Guide You On Your Recovery Journey

At Alternative Options, we are dedicated to helping our clients in the best way possible. If you’ve been through a traumatic event, we urge you to seek help and start your journey to healing and recovery with trauma treatment for adults. Get in touch with us today and we will work with you to create a personalized plan for you and your needs.

Resources

1 https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma

2 https://earlyconnections.mo.gov/professionals/trauma-informed-care

3 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

4 https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-are-treatments-for-posttraumatic-stress-disorder

Mental Health & Wellness

Anxiety & Depression

Eating Disorders

Youth & Adolescent Mental Health

Trauma & PTSD

Outpatient Treatment Programs