Trauma can deeply affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders (SUDs). Healing requires specialized care that addresses its lasting impact.
At The Right Step Houston, we provide compassionate, evidence-based trauma therapy, including trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to help clients regain control of their lives. No matter your experience, our team is here to support your journey to resilience and healing from trauma.
What Is Trauma?
Physical trauma from illness or injury affects the body. People must take this kind of trauma seriously and work towards recovery. The same is true of psychological trauma, which can have far more lasting effects than many kinds of physical trauma. Though psychological trauma isn’t visible to the eye—like a blunt-force injury, gunshot, or open wound—it has a far-reaching impact on physical, emotional, and mental health.
You can experience trauma from a single catastrophic event, such as a devastating hurricane or earthquake. It can also result from sustained exposure to violence or other horrifying events, including war or domestic abuse. Not everyone experiences every traumatic event in the same way. Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder, but others in the same situation may not. No one can tell you something should or shouldn’t have been traumatic. If someone denies your experience, it can increase the harm done by the original trauma.
What Are the Common Types of Trauma?
There are three designations of trauma, each of which is treatable. It’s important to understand what the source of trauma was or is, if possible, and which of the three trauma diagnoses applies to you. This enables more effective treatment. Healing from trauma is possible with the help of a trauma therapy program.
Acute Trauma
This kind of trauma results from a single catastrophic or horrific event. Examples of single-incident trauma include:
- Medical crisis or severe illness
- Rape or sexual assault
- Violent assault
- Traumatic loss or grief
- Being a victim of a crime or accident
- Witnessing violence
- Natural disasters
Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma results from repeated, sustained traumatic events such as:
- War
- Being a refugee
- Community violence
- Neglect
- Homelessness
- Domestic abuse
- Chronic illness or pain disorder
Complex Trauma
This kind of trauma often results from sustained or repeated experiences during childhood. Usually, those entrusted with the victim’s care trap them in a traumatic situation, such as child abuse. This type of trauma can include experiences such as bullying, childhood neglect, or religious trauma stemming from degrading, abusive, or damaging religious experiences. It may also involve an authoritarian upbringing, sexual or physical abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, or attachment trauma.
What Are the Common Signs of Trauma?
The signs and symptoms of trauma are different for everyone, but there are often commonalities. Some of the signs that you or someone you know may be suffering from acute, chronic, or complex trauma include:
- Flashbacks
- Anxiety or depression
- Poor concentration
- Shame and guilt
- Poor emotional regulation
- Memory problems
- Hyper-vigilance
- Depersonalization
- Difficulty sustaining relationships
- Low self-esteem
Suppose you or someone you care about suffers from the fallout of a traumatic event or a sustained exposure to devastating circumstances. In that case, a professional treatment program can successfully address the trauma-induced condition.
What To Know About Healing From Trauma
Trauma-informed psychotherapy is the single best approach to treating acute, chronic, or complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Behavioral therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy are very effective. These therapies can be targeted to your specific experiences and needs, maximizing the efficacy of treatment. When there’s a co-occurring substance use disorder, treating the trauma and the SUD at the same time is the best approach.
Search for a therapist experienced and trained in treating trauma-related conditions when choosing a treatment program.
Connect With The Right Step Houston and Get Started on Trauma Therapy Today
Healing from trauma is possible with the proper support and treatment. Whether you’ve experienced acute, chronic, or complex trauma, recognizing its impact is the first step toward recovery. At The Right Step Houston, we provide compassionate, trauma-informed care tailored to your unique experiences, helping you build resilience and regain control of your life. Through evidence-based therapies and a supportive environment, we empower clients to process their trauma, develop healthy coping skills, and move forward with confidence.
If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait—reach out today and take the first step toward lasting healing. Complete our online form or call 1.844.768.0169 to connect with someone from our staff.