Trauma Therapy: What to Expect from a Trauma Therapist

You have made the decision to get help so that you can finally leave the anguish of trauma behind – now what?  You may be wondering what to expect when you finally start trauma therapy. Like most initial counseling sessions, your therapist will ask questions to get to know you and your unique concerns. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the counseling process and to identify your specific hopes and goals. But trauma-informed counseling has several important characteristics that are very important to help you heal from trauma.

Therapy with a Trauma Therapist Helps You Create a Safe Space

First and foremost, your therapist will focus on creating a safe space both in the counseling session and in your everyday life.  Before you leap into sharing painful details of your ordeal, you need to establish a strong sense of safety. A focus on safety helps to rebuild confidence and a sense of control.  Our therapists will provide a warm, consistent and supportive environment in the therapy session.  In addition, they will help you develop tools and strategies for creating safety outside of the therapy setting.

Trauma Therapy Allows You to Develop Self-Care & Soothing Skills

One of the most important strategies for developing a sense of safety will be developing new ways to take care of yourself when you become triggered by distressing events.  Trauma therapy may include learning new self-care skills, including setting boundaries with loved ones, taking quiet time for yourself, and learning new coping skills.  People who have experienced life threatening, scary events often have elevated “alarm systems” and can be hyper-vigilant to any sensory experience that reminds them of it.  Trauma therapy will teach you new ways to calm and soothe yourself when this happens.

During Trauma Therapy You Set Your Own Pace for Healing With Your Trauma Therapist

Each person’s journey of healing will look different. It is important to go at your own pace.  Trauma therapy respects your pace.  You will not be pressured to talk about your stressful experiences until you are ready.  Some clients discover great healing and relief by learning new self-regulation skills and do not require trauma processing.  Other clients find talking about the trauma over and over again very helpful to reintegrating their understanding of what happened.

Begin Trauma Therapy in Atlanta, GA

You deserve to find healing and peace.  Our trained trauma therapists at Wellview Counseling are here to guide you and to walk with you step by step through the process.  To begin counseling in the Atlanta area, please follow these three steps:

1. Contact our counseling office
2. Meet with one of our trauma therapists
3. Begin trauma therapy and learn useful self-care and soothing skills that will allow you to heal from trauma.

Other Services Offered by Wellview Counseling

Our Atlanta area counseling clinic offers a variety of mental health services to help you or your loved one find healing and growth. Our therapy services include trauma therapy, play therapy, child counseling individual counseling, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education opportunities. If you cannot visit our Atlanta area counseling clinic, we encourage you to consider online therapy with one of our skilled therapists. Contact our counseling clinic to learn more about the many ways we can help you achieve emotional wellness.

Ashley Bobo, LCSW