Understanding Trauma Therapy: A Glossary of Key Terms
As awareness of the prevalence and impact of trauma continues to grow, so too does the need for accessible resources and information to aid in trauma therapy. We’ve put together a glossary of key terms you’ll commonly encountered in trauma therapy with us. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself or supporting a loved one through their healing journey, having a solid understanding of these terms can enhance communication, foster empowerment, and contribute to a more informed and effective therapeutic experience.
Let's explore the glossary:
Trauma: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, often resulting in lasting psychological or emotional consequences.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it, characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Trigger: A stimulus that prompts a traumatic memory or emotional response related to a past traumatic experience.
Triggered: When a stimulus (trigger) in the present moment bring up emotional response related to a past traumatic experience.
Trauma Response - Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn: Common responses to trauma. "Fight" refers to aggression or confrontation, "flight" involves fleeing or avoiding, "freeze" is a state of immobilization or numbing, and "fawn" is a response of seeking to please or appease others.
Re-traumatization: A phenomenon where exposure to certain triggers or situations causes a person to re-experience the emotional or psychological distress associated with past trauma.
Grounding Techniques: Strategies used to help individuals stay connected to the present moment and manage distressing thoughts or emotions, often involving sensory experiences or focusing on the environment.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A psychotherapy approach used to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories, involving bilateral stimulation of the brain through eye movements, taps, or sounds.
Resourcing: Building internal and external resources to support individuals in coping with trauma-related symptoms, including strengths, coping skills, social support networks, and relaxation techniques.
Trauma-Informed Care: An approach that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma, emphasizing safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in providing support and services to trauma survivors.
Self-Care: Practices and activities individuals engage in to promote their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, crucial for managing the effects of trauma and stress.
Complex Trauma: Prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences, often occurring within interpersonal relationships or during critical developmental periods, leading to a range of psychological and emotional difficulties.
Single Event Trauma: Trauma resulting from a one-time, often unexpected and severe event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or violent assault.
Safety Plan: A personalized plan developed collaboratively with the individual in therapy to identify triggers, coping strategies, and support systems to manage crisis situations and promote safety.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the PTSD or trauma related disruption/ distress, please reach out. Our Holistic Psychotherapist are specialized in EMDR Therapy and have helped many clients gain back control of their life to find fulfillment and a sense of calm again.
