Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool for those struggling with the emotional and behavioral effects of trauma. It's a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that helps you recognize how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors. By understanding these connections, you can begin to change unhelpful patterns that keep you stuck in distress.
Traditional CBT focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, but Trauma-Informed CBT goes further. It’s adapted for people whose distress comes from deeply rooted trauma, ensuring the process is handled with extra care and sensitivity. In trauma-informed CBT, we consider the emotional and physical impacts that trauma has on your nervous system, making sure the therapy is delivered in a way that feels safe and manageable for you.
How Trauma-Informed CBT Differs from Traditional CBT
Traditional CBT helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. It works well for issues like anxiety, depression, and panic by challenging distorted thinking and creating healthier habits.
However, for those who have experienced trauma, certain thoughts and emotions can feel overwhelming or even re-traumatizing when brought to the surface. Trauma-Informed CBT takes a gentler approach, respecting the unique ways trauma impacts your brain and body. This form of CBT:
- Places emphasis on creating a safe, supportive space where you feel comfortable.
- Acknowledges the role trauma plays in shaping how you think and respond to triggers.
- Gently integrates coping techniques to manage intense emotions, helping you feel more in control during therapy.
In trauma-informed CBT, we don’t just focus on changing thoughts; we also pay close attention to emotional regulation and nervous system stabilization to make sure you’re not overwhelmed during the healing process.
What Can Trauma-Informed CBT Help With?
- Depression
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Substance Abuse and Disordered Eating
- Chronic Pain
- Sexual Issues
- Anger Management
If you often feel stuck in patterns of thinking or behavior that are painful, Trauma-Informed CBT may be able to help you break free. It offers you tools to reframe those patterns in a way that is compassionate, healing, and safe for your unique experience with trauma.
What You Can Expect in Therapy
In Trauma-Informed CBT, our sessions will always be guided by a focus on safety, respect, and pacing that feels right for you. Together, we’ll explore how trauma has shaped your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, working to gently reframe them in a way that fosters healing. Here’s what you can expect:
Challenging Beliefs (Respectfully): Many of the beliefs you hold about yourself may have formed during traumatic experiences. We will gently examine these beliefs and help you reframe them in a way that aligns with your truth, not just the pain from your past. This process is always done with respect for your experiences, ensuring you feel heard and validated.
Grounding Tools: Trauma can make it difficult to feel present and connected to the here and now. Throughout our sessions, we will use grounding techniques that help you stay anchored in the present moment, such as deep breathing exercises, sensory awareness, or mindfulness practices. These tools are designed to help you manage distressing thoughts and emotions that arise during therapy.
Emotional Support: Above all, therapy is a space where you are supported every step of the way. I understand how overwhelming it can be to revisit past pain, and I will be here to offer you the emotional care and encouragement you need as you move through the healing process. Together, we will work through the difficult moments, so you never have to face them alone.
Exploration of What Individually Helps You: Everyone’s trauma and healing journey are unique. Together, we’ll explore what works best for you, whether that’s certain relaxation techniques, creative outlets, or specific coping mechanisms that help you feel safe and supported. This is your journey, and the tools we use will be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Each session will be structured around your personal goals, and we will move at a pace that respects where you are in your healing journey. My goal is to help you rebuild a sense of control and peace in your life, with tools that you can carry with you beyond the therapy room.
Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey
If you’ve been living with the weight of trauma, and you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, I’m here to help. Trauma-Informed CBT provides a safe and structured way to begin shifting those painful patterns.
Contact me today for a free consultation, and let’s work together to bring you the relief you deserve.