Do I need Trauma Therapy?
Research shows that 50% to 70% of people will experience trauma at some point in their life. Around 20% of them will develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), that means 10% of the population. In the UK, 1 in 10 people is estimated to experience PTSD at some point in their lives.
One of the most efficient ways to deal with PTSD is doing trauma therapy.
What is trauma therapy?
Therapy specialised in treating the emotional and psychological consequences of trauma.
But, what is trauma? Trauma is witnessing or going through a situation or event, where the person feels severely threatened and overwhelmed. It is related to the size of the event as well as the resources the person has at the very moment of trauma to handle it. We are all different, so we do not get affected by the same things in the same way. Why? Factors such as support, age, tools, skills, resources, previous traumas and experiences will determine the impact of an event or situation. That is why you do not get overwhelmed by the same things when you are 8 years old or when you are 40.
What are the signs of trauma?
Intrusive memories
Avoidance
Shock, denial, or disbelief.
Confusion, difficulty concentrating.
Difficulty falling asleep, having nightmares
Change in physical and emotional reactions
Anger, irritability, mood swings.
Anxiety and fear.
Guilt, shame, self-blame.
Withdrawing from others.
Feeling tense, uptight, on edge, unsettled
Feeling sad or hopeless.
Feeling disconnected, numb or detached
Feeling tired
Body aches
What are signs of unresolved trauma?
Hyper-vigilance and inability to let one's guard down.
Being easily startled
Lack of trust and difficulty opening up to other people.
Intimacy troubles
Dissociation and a persistent feeling of numbness.
Control issues, to overcompensate for feeling helpless during the traumatic incident.
Social withdrawal and self-isolation
Sleep disturbance
How do I know if I need trauma therapy?
Therapy or counselling is needed when the symptoms or the consequences of the symptoms experienced make your daily life challenging.
In case of trauma a loss of cognitive functions, experiencing nightmares or flashbacks related to the traumatic event, as well as mood swings and anger, are clear signs. Trauma can either present as anxiety, uncontrollable crying or panic attacks.
Does online therapy work for trauma?
Yes, it does! Online therapy or online counselling is an effective method to treat trauma and its related issues. Research shows online trauma counselling is as effective as traditional in-person trauma therapy for mental health, including trauma.
Online counselling offers advantages, such as:
accessibility regardless of your location
privacy of the virtual environment
less time-consuming saving you commuting time
convenience: it can be done from the comfort of your home, office or chosen place. As long as it has a good internet connection and privacy.
Is CBT or EMDR better for PTSD?
Research shows that EMDR is more effective than CBT for trauma treatment. The symptoms associated can be: anxiety, panic attacks, uncontrollable crying, flashbacks and nightmares among others. Meta-analysis
At Out of the Box we provide online trauma treatment using a combination of different techniques such as: EMDR, CBT, brief strategic therapy and systemic therapy. Mine is an holistic approach, with a primary goal: “getting you up and running as soon as possible”. So you carry on enjoying life.
Is EMDR regulated in the UK?
Yes it is, by EMDR UK Association the body that regulates EMDR in the United Kingdom.
I am Elia Gimenez, an accredited EMDR practitioner who offers counselling and EMDR online. I can be found as an accredited provider in Manchester here.
Do you want to know more about EMDR? click here
Do you want to know more about Intensives? click here
Thank you for reading!
