Types of Trauma Support

TraumaTherapy
Written By Dr. Ruth Gatt

Getting Support for Your Trauma

I’m guessing you’re here because you’ve been shaken by something in your life, and you’re considering asking for help. There are many different types of support out there so I am going to help break it down for you and detail what trauma therapy even looks like, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

How to Find a Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles

As you’re searching for a trauma therapist in Los Angeles, consider their expertise in working with different types of trauma, such as PTSD, CPTSD, and trauma experiences that you’re not ready to label just yet. Also consider the type of approach you’re looking for. If you’ve never been in therapy before, that’s ok—I’m about to lay out some different approaches.

First, imagine having a space to discover the impact of trauma on your life, process and grieve, and learn tools to cope and heal, overall integrating your experiences into a healthier narrative of your life and the person you’re becoming. This psychodynamic, relational process is my favorite approach to treating trauma because it allows us to develop a relationship, and that’s when the deeper level healing becomes possible, in my professional opinion. That relationship becomes the safe space from which we explore the dark corners of your life. If it sounds scary, it is; that’s why the relationship with your therapist becomes so important. Our early therapy work will really focus on developing that connection before we dive too deep. In general terms, this is referred to as a “depth-oriented approach,” which is how we treat trauma at Woven. 

However, I also want to acknowledge that this approach isn’t for everyone.

Types of Treatment for PTSD and Trauma-Related Disorders

Some prefer a more tangible and tightly structured approach including regular homework assignments such as worksheets, a set number of sessions, etc. This approach focuses on identifying and changing harmful thoughts and behaviors in order to feel better. If this sounds like your jam, you’re probably looking for a trauma-informed therapist that specializes in CBT and solution-focused therapy.

This method doesn’t allow for the level of depth and insight as the first approach, but it’s generally quicker and allows you to stay closer to the surface. It might feel safer to you at this early stage in your healing journey. This approach is probably best for someone who wants to treat the symptoms of their trauma, like anxiety and depression, but isn’t ready to dive in fully. If that’s you, that’s OK! A crucial piece of trauma recovery is developing your own AGENCY, which includes making whatever decisions you believe best serve the person you are today, and your specific needs. 

Both of these approaches are considered “talk therapy,” which is the most traditional style of therapy in general. There are other approaches, which I invite you to explore for yourself. These include methods such as EMDR and biofeedback. Some people gravitate towards these methods because they promise a very brief course of treatment aimed at reducing the negative impact of trauma by changing things in the brain. These methods cannot replace the therapeutic processes described above, but can sometimes be helpful adjuncts to traditional trauma therapy. If you’re curious about EMDR, we have one therapist on staff trained and ready to take new patients. You can schedule a free consultation with Lauryn today.

If you’re interested in diving deep and really getting to the root of your Trauma symptoms, you’re at the right place. We specialize in Trauma here at Woven so you can book a consultation with Elizabeth, our therapist matchmaker. She’ll help you find a therapist right for you. (California residents only). We provide online therapy and have therapists who are trained in EMDR therapy. We also offer many different types of trauma therapy groups. All of our therapists specialize in trauma-informed care, and informed trauma therapy.

If you’re not entirely sure if your experiences count as trauma, I’ve laid out 3 Steps to Identify Your Trauma in a previous blog. I hope you find the healing journey that works best for you!

All therapists at Woven Together Trauma Therapy are trauma-informed and specialize in treating all forms of trauma. We also offer EMDR therapy, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and Brainspotting therapy which all have shown to be extremely effective in treating and healing trauma. Want to read more about our unique therapy options?

These blogs talk more about the basics of EMDR therapy:

You can read more about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy here:

If you would like to learn more about Brainspotting therapy, check out our blog: What is Brainspotting?

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Dr. Ruth Gatt
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Group Therapy in Los Angeles
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3 Steps to Identify Your Trauma