Houston may be a fantastic city where the gleaming skyscrapers of the Energy Corridor stand in stark contrast to the gentle beauty of Buffalo Bayou Park. Still, it’s also a place where many women silently battle the effects of trauma. The sources of trauma are as diverse as the city itself. From the horrors of domestic violence to the unpredictable scale of natural disasters, trauma exists everywhere you look. That’s why trauma-informed therapy is such a big deal and why nearly 600 people are searching for “trauma informed therapy near me” each month. Empowering women who have experienced trauma to heal and build resilience is what trauma-informed therapy is about.

Here’s everything you need to know about it.

 

Women Counseling

While not all women experience trauma, quite a few do. Trauma defined, is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Although trauma often occurs after a life-threatening event, it can also be triggered by continuous events like ongoing emotional or sexual abuse. Survivors of trauma have often associated feelings of shock, flashbacks and anxiety with it—an overwhelming sense of being small and helpless. Like living in a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

Only a tiny percentage of women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a response to trauma. Most others develop mental health issues like depression, hypervigilance and anxiety disorders. Although some women can deal with and recover from the effects of trauma on their own, it’s crucial to seek therapy if you find yourself struggling with it.

 

The unique risk of trauma for women in Houston

Houston’s dynamic environment presents specific challenges that can contribute to trauma:

1. Natural disasters

The memory of Hurricane Harvey (and a host of other disasters) still lingers, causing anxiety and PTSD for many.

2. Urban crime

Despite improvements, crime rates are still high in Houston(the total crime rate is 146% higher than the national average) and being a victim of any of such crimes can cause trauma.

High crime rates also create a perception of insecurity, further causing anxiety problems.

3. Cultural adjustments

As a melting pot of cultures—over 145 languages are spoken in the city—many women struggle with identity and belonging.

4. Domestic violence

Unfortunately, this remains a significant issue in our community — especially for women. 18% of homicides in Houston happen through domestic violence.

Although there’s no way to tell for sure, these senseless encounters probably induce trauma more than any other kind of experience.

 

The essence of trauma-informed therapy

Trauma-informed therapy recognizes the impact of trauma and understands that the path to recovery is sensitive and must be trodden on with utmost care.

It acknowledges the impact of trauma on each client and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.

You’re probably wondering how that’s different from traditional therapy. Let me explain.

Traditional therapists may know about trauma, but they don’t necessarily acknowledge it during treatment. They don’t avoid conversations about a traumatic event or worry about the contribution of this event to your current mental state.

Trauma-informed therapy, on the flip side, tries to see and understand how much of an impact trauma has had on your mental health. It asks, “What happened to you?” not “What’s wrong with you?”

Trauma-informed therapists operate by certain principles.

• They prioritize a safe and supportive environment. They establish clear boundaries, only discussing topics you’re emotionally equipped to discuss.
• They collaborate. They act as partners in the healing process.
• They are particular about understanding your trauma and the triggers behind your response to it.

As a trauma-informed therapist myself, I know that approaching each client with the understanding that their experiences are unique is vital.

Only when there’s a safe and trusting environment created by trauma-informed care will healing begin.

 

Techniques of trauma therapy

In my practice, I offer therapy techniques suited explicitly for trauma healing:

1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

   This powerful technique uses “bilateral stimulation” to help process traumatic memories and reduce their impact. Learn about what EMDR is, the process of EMDR, or how it works here.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

   CBT is anchored on the idea that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are interlinked. By changing negative thoughts, we can positively influence our emotions and behaviors.

It’s an amazing technique that teaches you how to reframe negative thoughts.

 

Trauma therapy Houston

Trauma-informed care is a potent tool for trauma healing. Trauma recovery is a journey, and every woman’s path is unique. The common thread, however, is that healing happens faster when trauma-informed practices are both adopted and implemented. Look no further for your trauma-informed therapist, you’ve found me. As a trauma-informed therapist, I offer online therapy to women in Houston who have experienced trauma.

I have pursued specialized training and have had years of both studying and clinically treating trauma. To learn more about how I can help you with your situation, you can contact me here to schedule a free consultation.

Whatever you’ve been through, know that it is entirely possible to be trauma-free again.