Witnessing a horrifying event can lead to deep-rooted trauma that extends beyond the individual—it could also affect their friends and family too. Not only do they suffer emotional, mental, and social repercussions when triggered, but it could also hold them back from living life to the fullest. One of the best ways for them to heal is by undergoing trauma counselling sessions where they will be guided by a trauma therapist. In this article, we’ll talk about how trauma counselling therapists support survivors through the healing process by providing support and guiding them through different recovery techniques.

Establishing safety and trust: the foundations of a therapeutic relationship.

Before everything else, trauma therapists are required to establish rapport and gain the trust of their patients. Undergoing traumatic events is no easy feat, and patients react to their triggers differently, which is why therapists practice extra precautions not to overwhelm their clients during their sessions. Most, if not all, trauma survivors often feel ashamed of what happened to them; it doesn’t matter if they just happened to witness something horrible or if they were actually involved in the incident. As a result, they’re often withdrawn and keep a safe distance from people, making it hard for them to connect with others. So trauma counsellors are tasked to coach them out of their shells by creating a safe and non-judgmental space for them where they can open up and just be themselves. 

Choosing and customizing therapeutic interventions suited for the patient.

As mentioned earlier, individuals’ responses to trauma vary from mild to extreme cases. While some are pretty indiscernible, others experience breakdowns and hyperventilation, which is why it’s crucial to approach trauma victims with caution, but not so much that they feel alienated about their condition. As a trauma counselling therapist, it’s your duty to assess your patients’ needs and formulate an intervention plan according to their needs. Of course, there’s also a need to consider their goal and what they want to achieve by the end of the whole session, with the end result of them being able to live more confidently and comfortably.

A combination of evidence-based therapies is found to be the most effective in many cases. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), coupled with mindfulness-based techniques or eye movement therapy, can help them calm down and gain control of their emotions. One of the end goals of therapy is to have the patients learn strategies and techniques, similar to how businesses upskill their teams, to manage their symptoms whenever they’re triggered, which also helps them build resilience.

Empowering patients through psychoeducation.

Trauma counselling therapists are also required to educate their patients about trauma, which they refer to as psychoeducation. To learn more about one’s trauma is to know how to deal with it better, which gives patients incredible power over their trauma. They can identify the warning signs of their symptoms and apply mindfulness techniques to calm themselves no matter where they are.

Promoting self-care by learning healthy coping mechanisms.

Last but not least, it’s important for patients to practice self-care, valuing themselves by doing so. As stated earlier, many patients suffer shame and have even come to hate themselves, which should be corrected early on. Instead of venting all of their pent-up frustration and tension on themselves, it’s better to release it through physical activities. Taking part in sports or even practicing mindfulness exercises like yoga and meditation are great ways to combat those negative thinking patterns.