What to Expect From Trauma Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia
You have made the decision to start trauma therapy, so now what? If this is your first time in therapy you might not know what to expect from your first trauma session or through the duration of trauma therapy. Seeking out trauma therapy is not an easy process and not knowing what to expect can bring on additional feelings of anxiety.
Trauma Therapy in Atlanta
You’re here to alleviate that anxiety of not knowing what will happen during the process of trauma therapy. Seeking out therapy for your trauma can be intimidating. Here are a few things that might give you an idea about what to expect during the process of trauma therapy.
Your first session of trauma therapy
Similar to other types of therapy during your first initial session, your therapist will ask some questions to get to know you and your unique concerns. It’s entirely acceptable if you start to cry during this process. The trauma that brought you to therapy will most certainly come with emotions.
You will have the chance to ask questions you may have about the process and to identify things in your life you would like to see change as a result of therapy. These will be the goals for your therapy and they will be how you and your therapist will know whether therapy is working or not. The first session might be uncomfortable and it’s okay if you start to cry.
Trauma therapy helps to Create a safe space
The first step will be to help you reestablish a strong sense of safety both inside and outside of sessions. During sessions, I will provide you with a judgment-free space to process your trauma where you are seen, supported, and validated for your trauma. This will help to rebuild confidence and a sense of control as you bring to the session what you are struggling with.
My gentle nature coupled with all my training will help you to work through your emotions and calm your constant anxiety. I will provide you with consistent support as we develop tools to help you regain a sense of safety outside of the session. Over time, you might notice you start to respond differently to those you love or you are no longer held hostage by the fear created by the trauma.
You set your own pace for healing
It’s important to go at your own pace. Moving too quickly can emotionally overwhelm you and leave you feeling retraumatized. If you are like most trauma survivors, what happened to you was some of the most difficult moments of your life. Go easy on yourself if you are not ready to share certain parts of your trauma and don’t share them before you are ready. You will not be pressured to share any part of your story that you don’t want to.
Some clients find it helpful to talk about their trauma story in order to gain a new understanding while reintegrating what happened. Other clients are able to find healing and relief through learning new self-regulation skills and do not require trauma processing. Your journey will be your own and it may look different than someone else’s.
Your healing will not be stunted if you decide there are certain parts of your story you don’t want to share. It’s your story and most likely you didn’t have a choice in what happened to you. Allowing yourself to have a choice during your healing as you decide what to share, can be healing in itself. You will have permission to say, “no, or maybe later” in our sessions.
Trauma therapy allows you to develop self-care and self-soothing techniques
Learning how to take care of yourself when you feel triggered by distressing events helps you to develop a sense of safety. Trauma therapy might include learning new self-care skills including boundary setting with those around you and creating time for yourself when you feel triggered. It will also include learning and developing new coping skills for distressing thoughts and feelings.
Imagine a future in which your trauma doesn’t define you or dictate the choices you make as you move forward. Rest assured that won’t happen overnight. You can take as long as you need to reach that point in your healing. Be gentle with yourself as you learn new ways of coping.
If you are looking for help with the aftermath of trauma from childhood trauma, abuse, rape, or domestic violence in Atlanta, Georgia, you can contact me here or call (678) 744-5369 to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. If you are struggling with depression you can read more about how I can help here. Those struggling with anxiety can read how I can help here. You can read more about how I help with toxic relationship patterns here. Those raising a child diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) can read more about how I can help calm your anxiety here.
