Trauma is the aftermath of a disturbing event that may be difficult to talk about. This is one of the reasons you might find it difficult to seek professional help. The prospect of sitting in front of a stranger and opening up can be stressful even for someone who didn’t go through a trauma.
Thankfully, online trauma therapy can help you overcome at least part of this obstacle. At Therapy Central, we offer online trauma therapy that allows you to receive treatment from the comfort of your home.
Getting help is important as untreated emotional distress might turn into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that comes with unpleasant symptoms; nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and sleeping problems. This blog will give you an idea of what to expect from online trauma therapy.
What is Trauma and its Types?
Trauma is more than just a physical wound. It’s the emotional rollercoaster you experience after something awful happens, something that makes you feel scared and out of control. It could be a one-time event, like a car accident, or something that keeps happening, like being bullied at school. The key thing to remember is that trauma is personal – what’s scary for one person might not be for another.
Trauma comes in a few different flavors:
- Big bang trauma: This is a one-time shocker, like a natural disaster or a violent attack.
- Slow burn trauma: This is the trauma that builds up over time, like being bullied for months or years.
- Complex trauma: This is the toughest one, a mix of many bad things happening, often during childhood. It could involve being abused, neglected, or seeing violence in your own home.
Knowing what kind of trauma you’ve been through can be a big help in understanding why you might be feeling the way you do and how to get better.
What to Expect from Online Trauma Therapy
Online trauma therapy might seem unfamiliar, but it can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Here’s what you can typically expect from online trauma therapy:
Convenience and Accessibility
One of the main benefits of online trauma therapy is the convenience and accessibility it provides. You can attend sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home or any location with an internet connection, eliminating the need for travel.
HIPAA-Compliant Platforms
Reputable online therapy providers use HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platforms to ensure the confidentiality and security of your sessions. These platforms are encrypted and designed to protect your privacy.
Intake Process
Before starting therapy, you’ll typically go through an intake process where you provide information about your background, symptoms, and goals for treatment. This helps the therapist tailor the approach to your specific needs.
Trauma-Informed Approach
Online trauma therapists are trained to use trauma-informed approaches that prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment. They’ll work at a pace that feels comfortable for you and avoid re-traumatization.
Evidence-Based Techniques
Common techniques used in online trauma therapy include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These evidence-based methods have been proven effective for treating trauma.
Building a Therapeutic Alliance
Despite the online format, your therapist will aim to build a strong therapeutic alliance with you by creating a safe, non-judgmental space for you to share your experiences and work through your trauma.
Assignments and Homework
Between sessions, you may be given assignments or homework to complete, such as journaling, practicing coping strategies, or exposure exercises. This helps reinforce the work you’re doing in therapy.
Benefits Of Online Trauma Therapy
Trauma can be a heavy burden to carry, and seeking help can feel daunting. But online therapy offers a unique set of advantages that can make the journey towards healing more accessible and effective. Here’s how:
Crushing Location Limitations
Forget worrying about traffic or finding a therapist near you. Online therapy lets you attend sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home, regardless of location.
Fitting Therapy into Your Life
Busy schedules are no excuse! Online therapy allows you to schedule sessions at your convenience, during evenings, weekends, or even on your lunch break.
Keeping Things Confidential
Some people hesitate to open up about their experiences in a traditional therapy setting. Online therapy provides a safe and private space, allowing you to share your story on your own terms.
Potentially Cost-Effective
Online therapy platforms often have lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar practices. This can translate to more affordable therapy sessions.
Feeling More at Ease
For many, opening up to a stranger can be nerve-wracking. The familiar environment of your own home during online therapy sessions can create a sense of comfort and ease the anxiety associated with talking about difficult experiences.
Building a Strong Therapeutic Relationship
Finding a therapist you connect with is crucial. Online platforms often allow you to continue with the same therapist over time, fostering a consistent and supportive therapeutic relationship.
Expanding Your Options
You’re not limited by geography! Online therapy allows you to search for a therapist who specializes in your specific type of trauma and treatment approach, potentially leading to a better fit.
Tailoring Therapy to You
Online therapists can utilize various tools and techniques to customize your treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals.
Traditional Vs. Online Trauma Therapy
Trauma can leave a lasting impact, and seeking help is a courageous step. Both traditional in-person therapy and online therapy offer valuable tools for healing, but they have distinct advantages and considerations. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which path might be best for you:
Traditional In-Person Therapy
- Face-to-face interaction in the therapist’s office, allows for direct observation of body language and non-verbal cues.
- May feel more personal and intimate for some individuals.
- Therapists have more control over the environment and minimize distractions.
- Clients may feel more accountable for showing up for scheduled appointments.
- Depending on location, travel time and costs can be inconvenient.
- Fewer scheduling options may be available.
Online Trauma Therapy
- Increased accessibility and convenience, no need for travel.
- Greater privacy and anonymity for sensitive trauma discussions.
- Flexible scheduling options, including evenings and weekends.
- Clients may feel more comfortable attending from a familiar environment.
- Access to therapists outside your local area, including specialists.
- Potential cost savings with no travel expenses.
- Relies on secure video technology and a stable internet connection.
- More potential for distractions or interruptions in the client’s environment.
- Building rapport can be challenging through a screen for some.
Both in-person and online therapy can be effective for trauma treatment when working with a qualified, trauma-informed therapist. The choice often comes down to practical considerations like accessibility and comfort level, as well as personal preference.
Online therapy provides greater flexibility and privacy, while in-person allows for a more controlled environment and direct human connection. The therapeutic relationship and use of evidence-based trauma techniques are ultimately more important than the delivery method.
Many therapists recommend starting with whichever modality feels most accessible and making adjustments as needed throughout the therapy process.
When Should I Seek Trauma Therapy?
Seeking Trauma Therapy is depending on your condition of mental health. Here are some key signs that it may be beneficial to seek trauma therapy:
- You’re experiencing intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks related to a traumatic event. These are symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and indications that you haven’t fully processed the trauma.
- You’re avoiding certain situations, people, or places that remind you of the trauma. Avoidance can disrupt your daily life and relationships and is another core symptom of PTSD.
- You’re experiencing heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, or an exaggerated startle response. These are common ways the body and mind remain on high alert after a trauma.
- You’re having difficulty regulating your emotions. Trauma can make it harder to manage feelings like anger, sadness, or fear in healthy ways.
- You’re struggling with negative thought patterns about yourself or the world. Trauma can lead to negative core beliefs like “I’m unlovable” or “Nowhere is safe.”
- You’re engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms. This could include substance abuse, self-harm, disordered eating, or other risky behaviors.
- You’re having trouble forming or maintaining relationships. Trauma can cause difficulties with trust, intimacy, and attachment.
- You’re experiencing chronic physical symptoms. Lingering problems like pain, fatigue, or illness can sometimes be trauma-related.
- Day-to-day functioning is significantly impaired. If trauma symptoms are interfering with work, school, or home life, therapy can help.
- You’ve experienced a life-threatening situation or developmentally adverse events. Surviving abuse, violence, accidents, disasters, or other overwhelming experiences often warrants trauma-focused treatment.
The decision is unique to each person’s circumstances and readiness. However seeking professional trauma therapy can provide pathways for healing when difficulties persist
Improving Trauma Symptoms With The Help Of Online Trauma Therapy
The aftermath of a traumatic event can leave you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and struggling to cope. These symptoms can range from anxiety and flashbacks to nightmares and emotional numbness.
You might be hesitant to seek help, but online trauma therapy offers a safe and effective space to begin your healing journey. Here’s how online therapy can empower you to manage and improve your trauma symptoms:
- Access to Evidence-Based Treatments like CPT, PE, and EMDR has proven effective for PTSD and trauma.
- The convenience of attending from home reduces travel stress and triggers.
- Teaching Coping Skills like grounding techniques, relaxation, and cognitive restructuring to manage intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
- Gradual Exposure in a safe online space to address avoidance and re-experiencing symptoms.
- Processing Trauma Narrative at your own pace to contextualize and reframe the experience adaptively.
- Identifying and Restructuring unhelpful thought patterns and core beliefs stemming from the trauma through cognitive techniques.
- Building a Therapeutic Alliance and sense of trust/safety despite being online to explore painful traumatic material.
- Flexibility of scheduling around work/life to accommodate therapy consistently.
Conclusion
Online trauma therapy isn’t a magic cure, but it’s a powerful tool for taking charge of your healing. With the right therapist and approach, you can reclaim your emotional well-being and rewrite your narrative. Don’t hesitate to reach out and start your journey towards a brighter future. Remember, you are not alone.
