Different therapy approaches for trauma

Hey @creative_writer ,

Thank you for reaching out to the community aboout different therapy approaches.

I can't say I know too much about it however, I have done DBT art therapy in the past. I only did a few sessions though. I'm not sure of how art therapy supports trauma healing, but I'm open to learning.

i briefly did art therapy as a teenager but i did not enjoy it. i was with a therapist who had poor english and was bridging the gap with art and music when i just wanted to talk

for CPTSD i have found IFS very helpful as someone who is always divided. i have self-medicated with EMDR videos so i can recall memories without having a panic attack but i don't know what to do in terms of "aftercare". i can't remember right now if my therapist does EMDR, she has offered EFT before for my phobias, but i am terrible with disclosure and broaching new topics

With the art therapy I attended, I didn't want to say I didn't enjoy it, but yeah... that was the reality - I just didn't. At least I know I have it a go 🙂 @creative_writer 

With all these therapies, do you know places that offer it @creative_writer ?

@creative_writer this is the video i use

Hi @creative_writer 

I second the suggestion for Internal Family Systems (IFS)

But your replies indicate that you've already decided on EMDR. I've not done that, too intense for little old me

Hi @creative_writer 

I had positive outcomes with exposure therapy couple decades ago.  One of the things I remember is the preparation and slow progression stages 

Psychiatrist I saw couple years did what he called exposure therapy on my first session with him.  I refused to have him do it again due to being retraumatised.

I did bits and pieces of Schema Therapy with my previous psychologist.  I’ve taken away from it the pieces I found beneficial for me, not sure I would say my experience of it was helpful with Trauma Recovery.

That same psychologist did suggest EMDR various times.  I’m not comfortable with having people in my personal space.  One of my friends knows I stiffen at first each time she gives me a hug (body relaxes when brain registers I’m safe with her).  I’ve heard and read EMDR can be helpful with Trauma Recovery, not sure will be a therapy I will be able to do.

reading info about my current psychologist she appears to combine elements from different therapy types, tailoring things to best suit each person.  I’ve only seen her twice, her approach is very different than previous psychologist 

Good points you raised there. From your post, I'm sort of gathering that the therapist needs to be very skilled and attuned to your needs as a way to prevent re-traumatisation. @Flutterbug9  There's such a fine line between pushing someone out of their comfortzone and retraumatising.

Now that I think about it, I think @Captain24 worked on rescripting?? 

@Bow has also shared her experiences with schema therapy before. 

Very interesting... 

When @creative_writer first mentioned therapy for trauma, I could only think of EDMR.

Yeah I did a 6 mth eating disorder schema therapy group @creative_writer  and I found it very helpful. I had already done some schema work with my psychologist and it really resonated with me. I think it can definitely help with trauma. 
I did some exposure therapy too, it’s pretty rough. But my psychologist stopped cause I had some other big stressors happening. 
I’ve not done art therapy, but I’d totally give it a go if given the opportunity. Sometimes when I don’t have the words I find drawing easy. 

@tyme @creative_writer 

Exposure therapy involves starting with that is safe which aligns with the trauma. Eg a photo.  And gradually increases until the person has the actual thing in front of them in reality.

eg fear of flying might be

- photos of planes 

- sounds of air plane engines

- videos of planes on the ground

- videos of planes flying

- walking around and touching an airplane

etc.   only advancing to next step when person is comfortable.

trust in the therapist is first and imperative thing.

at one stage my panic attacks started as soon as I tried to step outside my front door.  Therapist stepped me through everything via zoom for ages before having first f2f meet

i think @Bow might have done rescripting also

Yes! I know about exposure therapy. I went through it with dogs. I was petrified as a child. @Flutterbug9 @creative_writer 

I started with:

- funny cartoons of dogs

- cute pictures of puppies

- cute videos of puppies

- normal pics of dogs

- dog info sheets

- videos of dogs

- then.... I got my first dog (lab pup). 

And that's how I managed with dogs.

TW: Emergency Services

Thank you for sharing @Bow  🙂

I have issues with sirens too @tyme  but not to the extend of you. I have had them at my house many times and whenever I hear them I do panic. Ask myself what did I say/do? Have to remind myself that I’m ok. 

That information about watching TV showing gives my bit of encouragement @Bow to put on my list of goals with my current psychologist.

imy previous therapist was aware and kept saying EMDR is only options.  I walked away without a scratch from a near fatal car accident just over 6ths ago.  Truck side swiped me.  Being near a truck, even if not moving, is a trigger

---

@Bow wrote:

I have issues with sirens too @tyme  but not to the extend of you. I have had them at my house many times and whenever I hear them I do panic. Ask myself what did I say/do? Have to remind myself that I’m ok. 

---

Yep @Bow , that's me.. I actually stop breathing for a few seconds until I snap out of it... actually, when I wrote that post, I was much harder than I thought it would be. Time for another dose of Paramedics!

@creative_writer , I wasn't just 'scared', I was petrified! I would run onto the road and freak out when I saw a dog...

Oh no @Flutterbug9  re the truck. And it's not like you can escape trucks unless you stay home all day.....

Yes, watching shows formed part of my exposure therapy and continues to be my maintenance therapy. For me, I had to link sirens to something 'good', so when I watched Paramedics, they had the sirens, but they would help people and it was a 'feel good' show... but I'm still not 100% there yet...

@creative_writer , I hope we haven't hi jacked your thread here... hope some of these posts are even a BIT helpful?

Thank you for sharing @creative_writer 

I think a lot of people struggle with welfare checks. It's not easy at all. I hope it doesn't stop you from contacting them when you really need it.

So sorry to hear that you haven't been able to open up about it much @creative_writer 

I have done rescripting @tyme @creative_writer. It was a really good experience. It was hard to relive the memory but the change at the end now means I can talk about it without triggering me. It took the sting out of it. 

Hello @creative_writer , good to see you here and thank you for starting this thread. 

I was recommended EMDR and began the foundational therapy early last year. My therapist has been waiting for the go-ahead from my psychiatrist to start the actual trauma processing. Since then I've changed psychiatrists and my new one says I'm not ready yet. 

Even with just the foundational stuff of learning grounding techniques and a little bit of the eye movements, my therapist could observe me making some progress with it. 

The good thing about EMDR, she explained, was that I don't have to narrate the actual trauma to her, unlike most other types of trauma therapy. 

There are some things to bear in mind:

• Discuss with your psychiatrist whether you are ready to begin your chosen therapy at this point in time. 
• Make sure your chosen therapist is qualified in the therapy you are asking them to administer. 
• Make sure you have support from friends, family, confidantes, etc. outside of sessions as you may need to draw upon them, especially in the hours and days after a session. Of course we are here for you as well. Same goes with having a safe space to go to. 

I was accessing EMDR through my Mental Health Treatment Plan last year, and then realised it was eating into my allowance of regular psychologist sessions. If you have private health insurance, I've also learnt that you can choose to have inpatient admissions to a hospital for EMDR instead. 

Anyway, I hope this information helps. Whichever therapy you choose, I hope it helps you to make progress in your recovery!

@tyme 

@creative_writer  

Hello there,

I began therapy last year, and my psychologist recommended a combination of EMDR and Schema Therapy. I haven’t done many eye-movement sessions yet, I think only once or twice, and one of those experiences triggered a strong traumatic stress response during the session. I felt very overwhelmed, so we are taking things slowly. Although I still feel some fear about trying the eye movements again, but I’ve learned lots about my nervous system, how trauma works, muscle tension, and how to identify triggers in my body. That insight has been incredibly valuable.

Schema Therapy has been especially helpful. I’ve learned so much about myself that I had never really noticed before. It feels like I’m opening up a whole new world, which can be both enlightening and overwhelming. Before this, I had only done talk therapy. While that helped to some extent, working with a psychologist using Schema Therapy and some EMDR has truly changed my perspective.

I also believe that creative expression through art, music, or even gentle movement or dance (nothing too intense or professional) can be a powerful and valuable addition to therapy.
Hang in there, mate I hope you find something that works for you! 

I'm finding it really interesting reading through the different options and experiences people have had. Thank you for starting this thread and all who have responded.

@Chasingsunsets just tagging in case this is of any interest to you also, as we have talked a bit about it also in passing.

@creative_writer 

That’s okay, it’s okay not to rush the process. I’m relieved to know I’m not alone in feeling slow too. Someone once told me that I can get healed by EMDR in just a few sessions, and then you're ''done''
but that hasn’t been my experience at all. I’m expecting at least another year of consistent therapy, and maybe more beyond that. Healing is not linear, while I can feel that I’ve definitely come a long way, there is still so much more to work through. Often, for me in one session I might open up about something small, and then it takes a long time just to process that one moment.

Poetry sounds great. I’ve never written poetry much part from school projects, but I have done some writing in the past, and I journal most days, which has been a helpful tool. Sometimes I write an email to my psychologist between sessions with thoughts or reflections, she has encouraged me to do that if I need to. She reads, but rarely applies, but we talk about it in the next session, which has been a good way too.. maybe that's something you could do? What do you think? 

---

@creative_writer wrote:
@tyme sometimes it wise not to open up. Masking may get exhausting, but it feels safer than the other alternative.

---

@creative_writer , is it "wrong" to mask? I personally think it has a place and space. As you said, it is better than the alternative.

I guess it's when we only rely on masking... then it may become an issue.

How are you going today?

@Spirit_Healer , that's really helpful information. Much appreciated

---

@Captain24 wrote:

I have done rescripting @tyme @creative_writer. It was a really good experience. It was hard to relive the memory but the change at the end now means I can talk about it without triggering me. It took the sting out of it. 

---

That's really good to hear @Captain24 . Do you need to focus on one hard memory at a time?

True that. Masking can be exhausting. I can also imagine that if you had to mask at home, it would be even harder. Would you ever consider moving out @creative_writer ? Or is this not a possibility?

Also, do your siblings talk to you much?

@creative_writer 

That’s ok, I think the person who said that to me wasn’t aware of how much I had been through. I think she was just trying to be friendly and encouraging. It really sucks that you can only get 10 Medicare-rebated sessions a year. It’s ridiculous considering how much people are suffering every day. I mean, the rebated sessions are great, but it would make more sense to have at least 20. You can go to a GP and always be rebated for as many visits as you need, but therapy is a different story. The out-of-pocket fees aren’t much fun, but I don’t really have a choice.

I think you should definitely bring in some poetry and give it a try when you are feeling ready. Writing is such a powerful tool. I feel like I can relate to that as well, I find myself a bit awkward talking sometimes, but a lot better at writing things down. I guess that’s why the email function works pretty well for me, It helps me express myself more.. but I’ve started to feel more comfortable with my psychologist as time went on, but I still find it harder to express myself verbally than if I would be writing it down. 

@Penguincat  is it somatic experiencing? I totally get why talking about trauma is overwhelming, I don’t think it’s for everyone. I am also ND, I get overwhelmed very easily. It would be interesting if more research was done on therapy adaptions that need to be made for ND clients

Following along @creative_writer 😊, thanks for the tag @AlwaysMyself 🙏

@creative_writer, what have you been thinking about re your first post here, I’m interested if any ideas have popped up of what plan or route you may take? 😊

@creative_writer 

Would you mind explain for me what a ED-plan is, sorry I don't know what it is, I tried to google it but the only things that came up was Eating Disorder Plan (EDP) but I don't want to assume that, that's the same as ED-plan. 

@creative_writer As I read my message back I realised a triangle does in fact fit in a circle... I'm the circle 😄. I hope to see more accessible mental health support options for various types of ND people in my lifetime.

@creative_writer 

Thank you for explaining it for me, I have learnt something new today. I am sorry to hear all about this, but I'm glad you were able to qualify for it to get extra crucial help. That's true mental health and trauma does affect you in so many different ways..

@Penguincat jennette mccurdy being qualified as simply "writer"... nature is truly healing.

@Captain24 rescripting/narrative therapy would probably help me... i was rewatching a very symbolic show i hadn't watched in several years and a combination of gaps in my memory and my depressive episode would have me remember things in the worst and hopeless way possible when they didn't go that way (e.g., "oh, i remember this, the heroine is ill-equipped and is bruised and battered in this battle because she is alone and being put in her place", when she in fact was helped by a friend and the battle was not nearly as one-sided and violent as i remembered it). 

I found it really helpful @mallory_strife. I had a memory from childhood of some really bad things my mum was saying. My psych made me describe everything I remembered. Then she said that she was standing at the back gate and walked into the yard. She used her magic wand to tell my mum that she shouldn’t be saying house things and then she took me out the back gate and we walked to Nan and pops house. I had to describe what the walk looked like. Such as the roads I crossed, the school across the road, the lady that I knew 2 doors down. I had to make it all familiar. My psych then took me into Nan and pops house and told them what was happening. I had to describe the kind of hug that they would have given me we stepped through it. When I felt safe in Nan and pops arms she quietly left. So now that trauma memory has a caring and warm ending. While it’s not true I actually feel it. I can talk about that memory now without crying. 

It was really interesting. 

@creative_writer the 'one size fits all' mould isn't working anymore and I believe all people are waking up to understanding their needs better - however a serious focus on ND sensory  support and therapy options are desperately needed. At the cafe the other day with the music blaring, a family asks the barrister to turn the music down. At my workplace after sun down, we turn on the warm lamps. My friends like to go to a busy restaurant on Saturdays (some NT), but last Saturday we went to a quiet cosy warm-lit one and everyone was so relaxed (until one of the lights started flickering and me and my ND friend were outta there!). Little tweaks in public settings are not difficult to do, and I have observed most NT people also benefit from these changes.

I don't really know how to use Sane, I'm very new. I'm also struggling with intrusive memories from psychward experiences. It affects my ability to sleep, which affects every part of life, including getting to work. 

In the past I have mentioned it to a psychologist and I was told it doesn't fit the criteria of PTSD  but I'm not sure if I explained myself very well. 

I'm not sure if it'll be worth more money to try again with a psychologist. I can't recall any treatment options to help rid or lessen these thoughts. 

I wonder if anyone has any idea on how to start, as someone in financial hardship.

@admin @anyone

Hi @Cooked_Cookie

A warm welcome 👋 and thanks for sharing your experiences with the community! 

Sounds like it's been a challenging time coping with the intrusive memories which impacts sleep and consequently other areas of your life, such as being able to get to work. That's no good 🥀  

It takes courage 🦁 to share your experiences with the community, and you are being really brave reaching out to your peers 🌿.  

I did want to share this resource on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, which has some information on treatment options, as well as this Webinar on how trauma/stress/anxiety impacts sleep etc and what you can do about it. I hope it helps!  

Take care 

TunedIn🌼

Hiya @creative_writer, sorry for the delay in response somehow I really managed to mess with my routine of how I go through posts and now I am doing it different again somehow 🤭🤯, might be awhile before I am back to normal with posting so very sorry in advance 😜.

I have really loved reading through this thread- Thankyou for creating it. I am interested again if anything has come up for you, I know I asked you that a bit ago so wanted to re check in as you mentioned you were going to chat  with your psych, wonder if you have had the chance yet? 😊

I am not actually too savvy with different therapies actually *sorry (was too unwell to start any really I think but I am sure there was different therapy modalities used at times and I probably just wasn’t aware back then) 

I know you said you have tried emdr and perhaps thinking something different to emdr? Have I got that right? Definitely nothing wrong with that. However something that isn’t so ‘trauma talk heavy’ emdr keeps coming up at me, from my brief reading it appears to be that, not needing to tell your whole story, don’t have to talk through it verbally etc. However I recall needs a good lot of work pre- re building blocks so if stuff does come up out of session it can be managed with different skills learnt a long the way etc and that you feel more comfortable. 

I definitely feel you re concern stuff that could come up out of session so do wonder where you are sitting with things as getting triggered is heavy to sit with esp when it’s going against the grain of ‘getting better’ in some ways, I personally have found it confusing sometimes re getting triggered and feeling like I may not be getting better even though that’s my whole intention, then I ask myself, then what? But triggering that you can cope with is a real win right? 😊

I often wonder if I need to spend more time building foundations, I know for me I need to learn more ways of coping, better ways of increasing my tolerance to distress etc. I know my journey isn’t going to be fast through this (my very over and under active nervous system) but slow and steady can also win the race too right? 🐢, I hope so🙏. I do love turtles actually so this is just so perfect right now 🌻😊

I wonder what you have been thinking about, definitely plenty of therapy modalities out there. Very interested to hear where you are at with things 🙏

@AlwaysMyself