First off, we’re so happy that you’re in a place where you’re exploring healing from emotional or childhood trauma. It’s a courageous step but it can be super overwhelming. With so many TikTok videos and blogs and Facebook reels, there’s so much content that it can be hard to know where to start.
HOW DO I HEAL FROM TRAUMA?
First, breathe and pace yourself. Know that healing from trauma takes time, emotional resources, and support. Connecting with a skilled trauma therapist is like having a guide on your journey. A great therapist can help you process emotions and memories in a safe space. Techniques like Brainspotting, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Equine-Facilitated Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, the Safe and Sound Protocol or talk therapy might come into all be helpful in with healing from trauma, anxiety or depression.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO HEAL FROM ABUSE OR TRAUMA?
Healing takes many forms and looks different for everyone. Here are a few different parts of trauma work.
–Work to Create Safety in Your Body: Healing hinges on safety in your body and environment. Self-regulation skills (progressive muscle relaxation, belly breathing, etc…) when practiced regularly help us to connect to our own internal sense of safety which is often lost when exposed to trauma.
–Work to Ensure Your Work and Home Life Feel Safe: It’s hard to work on past trauma when our current environments and relationships aren’t safe. Explore the areas in your life which might not feel safe and work with a skilled therapist to adapt or modify the environments or relationships you’re in.
–Practice Feeling Your Feelings: Be open to your feelings and emotions. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling, and giving yourself permission to experience those emotions. The more we stuff down our emotions and feelings, the more they tend to spill out in harmful ways.
–Take Good Care of Your Body: You might have read, “The Body Keeps the Score” and know that our bodies reflect all the things that we haven’t dealt with mentally after trauma. To work towards healing, we have to work to address our body’s needs (sleep, healthy eating, movement, etc…). Nourishing our bodies helps build a foundation for healing.
–Find Meaning: It sounds crazy but it’s important in your journey to find ways to make meaning around what happened. If we aren’t conscious about what meaning an event had on us and our life, we often struggle to healing fully.
–Challenge Outdated Beliefs: Trauma can make us feel like we are unsafe, unlovable or a whole host of other things that might interfere with our ability to be the person we want to be. Being aware of and finding deeply exploring our beliefs allows us to move forward.
–Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with a supportive tribe where you can share your experiences and receive encouragement.
–Set Boundaries: Learning to set healthy boundaries can help you regain a sense of control and safety in your life.
HOW DO I FIND A GREAT TRAUMA THERAPIST IN METRO DETROIT?
Looking for a great trauma therapist in Metro Detroit? You’re in luck, because there are some awesome therapists out there. You can start by asking for recommendations from friends or family. Nothing speaks to the great work a therapist does like feedback from a former patient.
Don’t know anyone who has completed trauma therapy? No worries online resources like Therapy Den, Mental Health Match, Open Path Collective or Psychology Today can be really helpful. Search for therapists who specialize in trauma and are in the Detroit area and accept your insurance.
Once you’ve got a few potential matches, reach out and maybe set up a consultation to see if you connect. Feeling safe, comfortable and understood is super important in this journey, so take your time finding the right fit. Remember, healing isn’t a linear path – it’s more like a roller coaster.
Ready to start the process? Check out our talented team of trauma therapists or call us at (248) 296-3104.
All of our trauma therapists accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. Many of our therapists accept Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Medicare, AETNA and HAP.
You can heal. You can thrive. We can help.
