Do you feel trapped in a terrible memory and cannot get out? Have you tried to push those dark thoughts back but they just don’t go away? Have you tried some therapies and meds but nothing doesn’t seem to work?

It may be difficult to recover from a trauma… But we have a solution.

You will learn; Why doesn’t trauma leave you? Why can’t you just forget it? How can you deal with it? Does it really go away?…In this blog post.

Importance of Understanding Trauma Therapy

You must know as many things about trauma therapy as you can. Why? Because of many reasons. You can become a victim to trauma because of one or multiple events. Regardless of the reason, it can take over and destroy your life. 

You may suffer from more disorders, i.e. PTSD, anxiety, and depression if you don’t get proper help immediately. Otherwise, your daily life, work, and relationships will degrade.

Trauma therapy is a treatment method that teaches you to control these disasters. It helps you to process and change negative thoughts into positive behaviours. You can get your old life back before your trauma.

Definition of Trauma

Trauma is your emotional reaction to a very disturbing event or events that made you feel extremely insecure… to the point of breaking down.

Psychologically: Trauma can make you a patient of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They are the symptoms of the bigger disorder, i.e. your trauma.

Neuroscientifically: Your trauma can change your brain’s structure and function. Your amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex change the most because those areas deal with emotions, behaviours, and decision-making. It might make you more fearful and more forgetful. You may burst out crying more, too.

Common Causes of Trauma

You must know why exactly you got traumatised. You may be able to pinpoint your triggers and your thoughts that your therapist can work on changing. Some common causes of trauma are:

• Car accidents

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Emotional abuse

• Military combat

• Witnessing violence

• Domestic violence

• Sudden loss of a loved one

• Neglect during childhood

• Bullying or harassment

• Kidnapping or abduction

• Terrorist attacks

• Chronic illness or medical procedures

• Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, hurricanes)

• Community violence or gang-related activities

Symptoms and Effects of Trauma

Almost 75% of adults in Australia have undergone a trauma at least once in their lives, say the recent studies. Trauma can be short-term and long-term. However, that does not mean that it would have a smaller effect on your body and mind. Trauma hits everyone differently. It depends on: How severe your trauma was? How mentally able were you? What kind of a support system do you have?

Short-Term Effects 

You might undergo a lot of intense and overwhelming emotions Immediately after a trauma. Shock is quite common. You may feel stunned, dizzy, and not know exactly what happened.

• You can go into denial too. It is your mind’s coping mechanism to protect itself from the full effect of the trauma.

• You may feel very afraid and/or very confused too. It is because that hurtful situation shattered your sense of safety.

• Your anxiety can go through the roof. You might be on high alert and hyper-vigilant for a few hours. You might feel as if there is a great danger coming.

• You will also go numb emotionally. You might feel detached from your emotions and surroundings. Again, it is a defence mechanism to push the pain away.

Long-Term Effects

The short-term effects might become your reality if you don’t get help to resolve your feelings about the trauma.

• You can develop chronic anxiety. You can start worrying all the time… about everything and everyone. Also, you might always be in a state of fight or flight at the drop of a hat.

• You might become more depressed. You will be forever sad, hopeless, and people might start calling you a “killjoy” in gatherings (which you might not attend altogether.)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is another extreme disorder. Your fear and numbness may develop into it. 

You might keep thinking about horrible things happening to you or your loved ones, nightmares, and flashbacks. You can have full-blown panic attacks if something happens to remind you of the trauma.

• You can also fall into dissociation. You can feel disconnected from your thoughts, memories, and surroundings. Basically, your brain gets stuck into the numbing coping mechanism to escape the hurtful reality.

Physical Issues

Your body cannot take it if your mind stays in stress for too long. You may develop:

• Chronic pain

• Fatigue

• Gastrointestinal problems

• Weak immunity

These physical symptoms can push you more into psychological disruption. You might end up in a vicious cycle that you cannot break without professional help.

You will benefit more from trauma therapy if you realise how much your trauma is destroying you. Therapies can support you more if you address both the immediate and long-term consequences of trauma.

Different Types of Trauma Therapy

Each therapy has its own methods and tips. It caters to different parts of trauma and what you need from that treatment. Three methods help the most in trauma recovery: 

Clinical Hypnotherapy, Havening Techniques, Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses hypnosis to access the subconscious mind, facilitating profound emotional and psychological healing. Hypnosis induces a deeply relaxed, trance-like state where the mind becomes more open to suggestion and introspection. 

In this state, you can explore and address traumatic memories, reframe negative thought patterns, and release emotional pain. This approach is efficient for those who have difficulty accessing or articulating their traumatic memories in a traditional therapeutic setting.

Havening Techniques

Havening Techniques are a set of psycho-sensory therapies that use touch to create a sense of safety and calm, enabling the brain to process and release traumatic memories. The method involves a gentle, soothing touch on the arms, face, and hands, combined with positive imagery and affirmations. 

This process helps to deactivate the emotional response associated with traumatic memories, reducing their impact. Havening is grounded in neuroscience, specifically in understanding how the brain encodes trauma. 

It is beneficial for clients who have experienced complex or deeply ingrained trauma, providing a non-invasive, gentle approach to healing.

Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT)

Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) guides you into deep hypnosis to explore your Higher Self ( Higher Wisdom). In this trance state, you can access past life memories, which are believed to hold the key to understanding and healing present-life traumas. 

QHHT operates on the premise that unresolved issues from previous lifetimes can influence current life experiences. Addressing these past life traumas can help you achieve profound healing and emotional release.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely practised and evidence-based approach that identifies and changes negative thought patterns and behaviours. 

In trauma therapy, CBT helps you to understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and how your traumatic experiences influence these elements.

Techniques used in CBT for trauma include cognitive restructuring, which involves challenging and reframing distorted thoughts. This process helps reduce fear and avoidance behaviours, promoting recovery and resilience. 

CBT is particularly effective for treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, providing you with practical tools to manage your symptoms and improve your mental health. It can help you to handle your trauma. You can restore your inner peace and control if it is included in a hypnotherapy program.

Related Read: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? (CBT): Techniques, Applications, and Benefits

Research on Hypnotherapy for Trauma

Research shows that trauma-focused therapies can reduce trauma symptoms up to 60-90%. It depends on the type of therapy and the type of factors. For instance, Clinical hypnotherapy has also been shown to have high success rates in treating trauma. 

Studies report that around 70-80% of individuals experience substantial improvements in their symptoms, as hypnotherapy helps access and heal the subconscious mind’s trauma-related issues.

Research on Havening Techniques for Trauma

Research by Thandi Gursimran et al. at King’s College London demonstrated that a single session of Havening Techniques significantly reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. 

Similarly, Kirsty Hodgson et al. at Cardiff Metropolitan University found that Havening lowered stress biomarkers like heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels in Type D personality disorder patients, showing its efficacy in improving mental health.

In a Nutshell

Recovery from trauma is one hundred percent possible, and trauma therapy is a powerful resource for those affected by traumatic experiences. Understanding the different types of trauma therapy, techniques, and efficacy can empower you to seek the proper help and care you need.

Book a Free Consultation with our experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist. Don’t let trauma define your life – take the first step towards recovery today.

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