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Introduction
The subject of trauma is intricate and multifaceted. So much to the point that it has
evolved to the extent that there is now a specific branch known as complex trauma. Although,
there are similarities in the symptoms of trauma and complex trauma, the latter proves to be
more challenging to tackle when it comes to the healing process. Various therapeutic approaches
exist for addressing and healing trauma, and I have noticed that many of them share common
goals and techniques. However, what truly captures my attention are the fresh and innovative
methods being developed for treating trauma.
Understanding the intricate connection between the mind and body is key in this regard.
Recognizing how one impacts the other and realizing that both aspects need to be addressed
when dealing with trauma is crucial. It is logical to acknowledge that the brain is linked to the
heart, and that the heart, in turn, is connected to the body. As a person of faith, particularly as a
Christian, I believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God, encompassing our
mind, body, and soul. To truly experience wholeness and embrace the fullness of God's plan for
us, it is essential that we seek healing for our mind, body, and spirit.
3 Keys
Trauma
According to-the National Center for PTSD, about 6 of every 10 men (or 60%) and 5 of
every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one trauma in their lives. Some people may
recover within a few months after the event, but for others it may take years or may even begin
long after the events occur. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be treated using various
therapy techniques and medication. Regardless of the type of treatment explored, it is critical to
recognize the significant effects of trauma, versus avoiding it.
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Brain areas effected in the stress response include the amygdala, hippocampus, and
prefrontal cortex. Traumatic stress can be associated with lasting changes in these brain areas.
Traumatic stress is associated with increased cortisol and norepinephrine responses to
subsequent stressors. I am always taking note to the fact that when a young brain goes to a
traumatic event how it alters the development of that young brain.
Traumatic stressors such as early trauma can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), which affects about 8% of Americans at some time in their lives,-as well as
depression,-substance abuse, dissociation,-personality disorders,-and health problems.-This is
only those that have been reported. For many trauma victims, PTSD can be a lifelong problem
(Bremner, 2006).
Trauma can cause symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, and
heightened arousal. However, these symptoms may gradually subside over time or with
appropriate treatment. Complex trauma, on the other hand, can cause more severe and persistent
symptoms, including dissociation, emotional dysregulation, difficulties in interpersonal
relationships, and a disrupted sense of self (Van der Kolk, 2005). With the discoveries on the
effect of trauma on our health, mind, body and spirit, there is a need for more innovative
approaches to treatment.
Empirical Approaches
This course was awesome in giving us information on the popular and most used
empirical approaches to treating trauma. Treatments such as Cognitive Processing Therapy
(CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Therapy (EMDR). In the past I have only been interested in, talk therapy, utilizing Cognitive
Behavior Therapy techniques. Therefore, CPT was the approach I considered focusing on during
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this course. Nonetheless, I branched out to expand my knowledge of treatments and focused on
PE instead. A decision I do not regret because in reading about PE and EMDR I realize it is
interrelated with CBT also.
Prolonged exposure is a specific type of CBT that teaches individuals to gradually
approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. A major component in PTSD is
avoidance. Whether trying to push away memories, thoughts, and feelings about the trauma or
escaping/avoiding situations, places, people, and objects that cause distress and fear because they
are similar to the trauma or are reminders of the trauma. The goal in PE is to help one understand
that trauma-related memories are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. Cognitively one
should be able to change their mind about the present feelings and emotions Training the mind to
understand that it's not happening presently and that there is no reason to be afraid or to avoid
present circumstances (Foa et al., 2019).
CPT is a specific type of CBT that helps patients learn how to modify and challenge
unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. The patient creates a new understanding and
conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current
life. People who’ve been diagnosed with PTSD often struggle in one or more of the following
five areas: safety, trust, power and control, esteem, and intimacy. The final sessions are
dedicated to helping the client apply the adaptive strategies learned earlier to everyday life
situations that fall into one of these areas. Avoidance and being stuck Has everything to do with
fear. These strategies help clients to get “unstuck”, in order to move from walking in fear to
walking in freedom (CPT 101, 2023).
According to the American Psychological Association, EMDR is a structured therapy that
encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing
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bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). EMDR is associated with a reduction in the
vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR consists of a structured set
of protocols and procedures based on the adaptive information processing (AIP) model. Even if
the processing of inadequately processed and maladaptively encoded memories remains the
primary focus of EMDR (Hase, 2021).
PE and EMDR are both evidence-based treatments for PTSD. Both approaches aim to help
individuals reduce symptoms related to traumatic events. PE primarily uses exposure and
cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, such as relaxation training and retelling the traumatic
story. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation in addition to other therapeutic techniques, such as
guided imagery and cognitive restructuring. As stated earlier all these approaches are interrelated
and are grounded and constructed in CBT. Therefore, I am more open-minded to utilizing these
approaches as opposed to being confined to the basic cognitive behavior techniques (Weil,
2023).
Emerging Approaches
What I have discovered to be most intriguing during this course was the emerging and
innovative approaches to treating trauma. Many of these approaches dealt with the mind and
body being connected which before doing any of this research I always knew that they were. In
my opinion when the mind is hurting it affects the body and when the body is hurting it affects
the mind. Approaches such as psychodrama, music and art therapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy,
brain training and spotting, internal family systems, and neurotherapy and so many more not
mentioned are all creative approaches to treating trauma. How everyone is affected by trauma
and how it presents itself in their lives, will be different. Having many ways to approach
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treatment is better for the intricate ways in which it manifests itself in individuals. All
approaches are based on CBT.
Christian Worldview
Romans 12:2, states do not conform to the world to this present age but be ye
transformed by the-renewing of your mind-so that you may test and approve what is the will of
God what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. We need to employ the Biblical principle of
putting off or putting on articulated here and elsewhere in Scripture (Ephesians 4:22-24). We do
this first by taking our thoughts captive and bringing them into surrender to the truth. These
emerging approaches is a way of taking control of your negative thoughts and bringing them to
truth (renewing those thoughts) (Lamb, 2020).
2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul states, casting down imaginations and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ. Trauma produces anxiety and fear, some of those fears were relevant during
the actual traumatic experience, however they have no relevance most times, after the trauma has
occurred. The symptoms are memories, and intrusive thoughts of things that are not currently
happening. As a Christian we must believe in the power of his Spirit to help us cast down these
intrusive thoughts and memories. I have used this scripture often in my Christian counseling
sessions as well as in sermons that I have preached over the years. Many have had traumatic
events happen in their lives not always causing PTSD. However, those events have caused
individuals the feel stuck and/or fearful; the Scripture comes in handy in encouraging individuals
in those predicaments.
3 John 1:2 states, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just
as your soul prospers. What makes 3 John 1:2 so appealing is the I wish above ALL things
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statement, which appears to reveal-God's desire us. His desire, which above everything else, is
that we prosper in everything, whether it be in our health, mind, or our finances. Emerging
treatment approaches for trauma are connecting mind and leading us heal both. I started a
nonprofit entitled, “At the Well” where the mission and vision was to promote healing mind,
body and spirit. My belief has always been that we are spirits clothed in a physical body, moved
by our minds. All three are interconnected and we can't heal one with healing all. This Scripture
and the story about the woman at the well have always been my driving force in Grace and
healing others.
Conclusion
There are many approaches to treating trauma, starting with multiple branches of CBT.
during intake, education stages, and in getting to know our clients we will know which approach
fits best. Recent studies have shown innovative treatments in assisting individuals in coping with
and releasing the trauma in unique ways. There are so many, one may not even know where to
begin. Utilizing more than one approach can also be helpful with individual clients.
Trauma has a profound impact on the brains, mental health, and physical health, often
manifesting in pain and contributing to the development of certain diseases. With the help of
these innovative studies, as Christians we can approach future endeavors and the healing of
trauma with hope and faith. I am truly looking forward to exploring and incorporating these
innovative and emerging approaches to my helping profession.
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References
American Psychological Association. (2023).-Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
(EMDR) therapy. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd
guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing-
Bremner J. D. (2006). Traumatic stress: effects on the brain.-Dialogues in clinical
neuroscience,-8(4), 445–461.
https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.4/jbremner Hayes 2021
Cognitive processing therapy 101 for therapists. My Clients Plus. (2023).
https://myclientsplus.com/cognitive-processing-therapy-101-for-therapists/-
Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., Rothbaum, B. O., & M., R. S. A. (2019).-Prolonged exposure
therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences: Therapist guide.
Oxford University Press.-
Hase M. (2021). The Structure of EMDR Therapy: A Guide for the
Therapist.-Frontiers in psychology,-12, 660753.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660753
Lamb, P. W., Lamb, P. by: P. W., & Published. (2020, October 14).-EMDR: A biblical
counseling perspective. Words Matter: Refining the Conversation.
https://pastorlamb.com/2020/10/14/emdr-a-biblical-counseling-perspective/-
The Holy Bible, New King James Version.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, June 1).-Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) 2023. National Institutes of Health.
https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/civil/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-2023-
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2005). Developmental trauma disorder: Towards a rational diagnosis for
