If you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, and paranoia, hallmarks of psychological trauma, you may be curious about the possible courses of treatment. While many treatment options exists for trauma, at Trauma and Beyond, we utilize the Three-Stage trauma treatment model, a holistic course of treatment that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Here is an overview of the three stages.

Details about our Trauma Treatment

Stage 1: Safety and Stabilization

In the first step towards trauma treatment, you must learn how to understand the effects of trauma. This is done by familiarizing yourself with the common symptoms of trauma, and to understand why your mind and body react in an overwhelming, distorted manner.

The goal of this stage is to restore a sense of safety. This is done by creating safety in all areas of the individual’s life, such as the psyche, body, and physical environment. For instance, in order to establish a score environment, the patient might need to change their living situation, or to secure permanent, stable employment. Likewise, in order to attain emotional stability, the individual may need to learn how to calm the body and regulate impulses. This stage takes a holistic approach to the individual, utilizing a variety of techniques.

Stage 2: Learning to Live with Traumatic Memories

At this stage, the goal is to overcome the fear of traumatic memories, and instead, to accept them and to learn to live with them. The goal is to not let your memories control you, but to see them from a distance and to recognize that those memories make the individual the unique being that they are. This is done gradually, so that the patient is not overwhelmed by the traumatic experiences of the past.

Stage 3: Reconnecting with Oneself and the World

Once the patient has been made aware of their condition, has made the effort to understand it, and is on the path to self-acceptance, they can take steps towards creating a meaningful, healthy life. This is done by reaching out to friends and family who may have been alienated, focusing on health in other areas of life, and pursuing personal and professional goals that were out of reach before.

This stage reflects overcoming the fear of daily life, and meaningful enjoyment of existence is the core focus. As life becomes centered in the present, the traumatic experience begins to fade and not feel so much like a part of you, just something that exists in the past.

Contact Trauma and Beyond today

If you are ready to heal yourself and receive trauma treatment, reach out to the caring, compassionate staff at Trauma and Beyond to speak to someone who can guide you in the right direction. To talk with Dr. Joanne Barron call (818) 351-3511 ext. 2, or (818) 351-3511 ext. 1 to make a consultation with Dr. Lynne Friedman-Gell.