For people who have suffered some type of trauma in their lifetime, the residual effects can be seen for years, decades, or even the rest of their lives. And as a general rule, the deeper the trauma, the more profound and longer-lasting its damage will be.
However, no matter how hard your road to recovery may have been to this point, there is one thing to remember; you are not a victim; you are a survivor.
And that’s one of the things that trauma counseling can help with, teaching you to see yourself as more than a victim of a certain event or circumstance, but rather someone who has overcome it. In today’s post, we will look at 5 of the reasons that this type of emotional therapy might be the right direction for your continued recovery.
- You Have Difficulty Managing Your Emotions or Behaviors
If you find yourself struggling to regulate your emotions, or if you engage in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse or reckless behavior (very common among trauma survivors), you may benefit from counseling.
- You Feel Stuck In the Past
Many people who have suffered trauma find themselves constantly thinking about these past events and have a difficult time moving forward.
This creates a vicious cycle that can include shame, self-blame/loathing, and a seemingly endless loop of toxic emotions and other negative mental health effects. Trauma counseling can help you process your experiences and develop coping strategies.
- You Have Physical Symptoms Related to Your Trauma
Trauma can manifest in physical symptoms such as chronic pain, sleep disturbances, or digestive problems. This can wreak havoc on your personal and professional life, and lead to many other problematic issues.
If you have physical symptoms that you believe are related to a past traumatic experience, counseling can often help you address and manage these issues.
- You Have Difficulty Maintaining Relationships
Trauma can affect your ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. This is not only true of new relationships either; it can impact existing relationships as well. If you find that you are struggling to connect with others or have difficulty with trust, trauma therapy may be able to help you work through these challenges.
- You Avoid Situations that Remind You of Your Trauma
If you find yourself going out of your way to avoid certain people, places, or activities because they remind you of your trauma, this is a sign that it is probably time to seek counseling. It can be very helpful in understanding and working through these avoidance behaviors.
Trauma Counseling Isn’t as Intimidating as It May Seem In Your Mind
One of the biggest things that hold people back from retaking control of their life is the fact that they are afraid of what counseling might bring. They worry about reliving the horrific past events and bringing it all back up again. However, once those traumas are unburied and exposed to the light, most people find that is when they can truly move on.
