A Look at Trauma Therapy Techniques
There are many trauma therapy techniques mentioned in this article. In this section, we will explore how some of these techniques can be applied to promote post-traumatic growth (PTG) using the model developed by Stephanie D. Nelson, a Behavioral Science Officer from the United States Army.
In 2011, Nelson developed a posttraumatic growth path (PTGP) for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Nelson, 2011). This pathway can also work with other types of trauma survivors.
The program comprises four stages for those struggling with PTSD symptoms (Nelson, 2011):
- Deal,
- Feel,
- Heal, and
- Seal.
Evidence shows the techniques applied during each stage are beneficial for relieving specific PTSD symptoms in all types of trauma survivors and promoting post-traumatic growth (Ogilvie & Carson, 2021).
1. Deal – Writing a Trauma Narrative
This stage consists of writing a trauma narrative by focusing on the facts surrounding the incident(s), including the who, what, where, and when. Next, the client describes the thoughts and feelings that arose during the experience to create a comprehensive narrative.
Finally, the client is asked to write a paragraph reflecting on how they feel now, what they have learned, and if they have grown from the experience. Trauma survivors should complete this exercise with a therapist or counselor for support with any distressing feelings and sensations that may arise such as flashbacks, anxiety, or panic.
Once the trauma narrative is completed, the client proceeds to step 2.
2. Feel – Imaginal Exposure
The next step involves experiencing the feelings aroused by reading the trauma narrative aloud using imaginal exposure.
Exposure therapies work by exposing then desensitizing clients to any uncomfortable, distressing, and frightening feelings associated with the original trauma (Van Der Kolk, 2014).
Imaginal exposure entails revisiting the experience in the mind’s eye using the vivid sensory capacity of the imagination. Imaginary exposure to traumatic experiences using a trauma narrative, helps clients fully process their feelings with the support of a counselor or therapist.
This technique reconnects the client to their original emotional responses to the trauma which otherwise can become displaced onto other associated stimuli called ‘triggers’. Often, trauma survivors avoid emotional triggers which can lead to a narrowing of life experience and a lower quality of life.
For example, physical contact with their partner or spouse may trigger a rape survivor who withdraw or even freeze upon physical contact. This can destroy a survivor’s capacity for intimate relationships.
Imaginal exposure allows a client to process any repressed feelings safely, and overcome avoidance.
3. Heal – Channeling PTG
Stage three helps the client reintegrate their feelings and thoughts about the original trauma to facilitate opportunities for learning and growth. The healing stage involves three phases.
- Freedom of choice
During this phase, the therapist explains that while the client did not choose their traumatic experience, they can choose how to go forward. The narrative therapy technique of “rewriting the ending” can help the client create their own path.
- Finding meaning
The client is encouraged to find meaning in their experience in whatever way is appropriate and workable for them.
- The hero archetype
Finally, the therapist guides the client through the transformative journey of the Hero archetype by re-telling their story in the context of the client’s spiritual and cultural values to make the experience more meaningful. The client may also benefit from hearing stories where the hero experiences a significant trauma and becomes a much stronger person as a result.
Once these three techniques have been explored, the therapist can teach the client PTG channeling which involves redirecting their emotional energy away from avoiding triggers into productive, goal-oriented behavior. The therapist may assign the client homework exercises to help shift them from survival toward post-traumatic growth.
4. Seal – The mind as a filing cabinet
The last step of the post-traumatic growth path involves reorganizing the traumatic memory using the “mind as a filing cabinet” metaphor. This likens the memory of the traumatic experience to disorganized information scattered throughout the filing system of the mind.
Rather than the files being neatly ordered, numerous folders contain fragments of information that are confusing and disorientating.
The ‘sealing’ step reorganizes memories as files and stores them away safely. Files can be consulted in the future, but are no longer anything more than one of the many files that are stored in the cabinet of the mind.
The client may need to repeat this process of reorganizing further memories over the course of therapy.
For a moving true-life account of how traumatic childhood experiences can lead to post-traumatic growth and a rounded, fulfilling life, check out this TEDx talk by Martha Londagin below.
What our readers think
A parent of a Marine that just had a tragic experience, and as a father would like to help in his recovery from PTSD from war ….
I’m a solution-focused narrative therapy and your PTG approach so resonates with me. Appreciate your work and resources and worksheets.
Thank you for the information!
Great information!
Great article. Interesting worksheets. Is there any link to these worksheets to download in pdf. Also looking for the ACTUAL PTG-24 tool link.
Hi Eulinda,
Glad you liked the article! If you click the hyperlinks in-text where the worksheet name is mentioned, they’ll take you to the PDF download. Also, I’m not finding a tool with this name in our Toolkit. Could you elaborate on what specifically the tool is about and perhaps I can help find what you’re looking for.
– Nicole | Community Manager
Thanks to share this wonderful articles.