Trauma-Informed Therapy

Contact Our Riverside Center at: 844-549-2488

Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) have a higher risk of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Some people may use substance abuse as a form of self-medication to cope with the effects of untreated trauma. Substance abuse may also cause people to engage in self-destructive or harmful behaviors. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "Trauma is a common experience for adults and children in American communities, and it is especially common in the lives of people with mental and substance use disorders." pH Wellness uses trauma-informed therapy and evidence-based treatments to help people heal from SUD and underlying trauma. 

How Does Trauma Impact Recovery From Substance Abuse?

Individuals with SUD often have multiple underlying factors impacting their mental health and recovery. Childhood traumas or stressful events from adulthood may affect how you feel about yourself and others. Trauma often makes it more difficult for people to trust peers, clinicians, and support staff during early recovery. Trauma-informed care and therapy help people overcome those barriers by building deeper connections between clients and the care team. 

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Some people may go years without receiving any form of treatment for their trauma. Attending rehabilitation allows you to work with an experienced care team to process past traumas. Trauma-informed care is an approach to treatment that reduces the risk of re-traumatization and creates a safe space for healing. Clinicians and support staff acknowledge the impact of trauma on a person's life and take steps to provide effective care tailored to each client's unique needs. Trauma-informed therapy helps people find healthy ways to manage the side effects of trauma.

Treatment programs with trauma-informed care do the following: 

  • Improve trust and communication  

  • Encourage collaboration between clients and clinicians 

  • Empower clients to make healthy lifestyle changes

  • Facilitate active engagement in treatment 

Treatment programs at pH Wellness help clients identify and reprocess trauma in a safe environment. Some people with SUD may also have co-occurring mental health disorders caused by traumatic events. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder are a few conditions people may experience alongside SUD. Trauma-informed care allows clinicians to address SUD, underlying trauma, and any related mental health disorders. Addressing all factors impacting a person's sobriety during treatment can help clients feel more in control of their recovery and reduce their risk of relapse during continuing care.  

Trauma-Informed Therapy and Treatment Modalities at pH Wellness

Trauma impacts everyone differently. You may have difficulty trusting authority figures, setting boundaries, or connecting with peers. Trauma-informed therapy takes into consideration the many potential side effects of trauma and addresses them in a compassionate and appropriate way. Clinicians use multiple treatment modalities to help clients process trauma and manage symptoms during rehabilitation. 

pH Wellness offers various trauma-informed treatments, including:

  • Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy

  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Somatic experiencing

  • Group therapy 

The care team collaborates with clients and their loved ones to determine which treatment modality will provide the best outcomes. pH Wellness personalizes treatment plans to ensure clients can access the services and level of care they need to successfully move forward in their recovery journey. 

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Individuals who have experienced trauma often self-isolate to avoid future hurt or because of internalized stigmas. Trauma-informed therapy makes it easier for people to develop healthy, supportive relationships with loved ones, clinicians, and peers. In addition, trauma treatment can help you recognize if you have any maladaptive behaviors or thought patterns caused by unaddressed trauma. Trauma-informed therapy creates an environment where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. 

Some of the primary benefits of trauma-informed therapy include:

  • Improved emotion regulation 

  • Increased self-esteem and self-confidence 

  • Greater resilience 

  • Reduced stress levels

Trauma may impact many aspects of your life and make it more challenging to focus on healing. You can improve your treatment outcomes by participating in programs tailored to treat trauma and related mental health issues. The care team at pH Wellness utilizes comprehensive assessments and screening tools to determine the best approach to treatment for SUD and co-occurring trauma. 

Empowering Clients Through a Trauma-Informed Approach to Care

pH Wellness incorporates trauma-informed principles into treatment programs, prioritizing client safety, validation, and autonomy. The clinicians and support staff have created a supportive and nurturing environment. Identifying and working through trauma-related issues using evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies empowers clients to take back control of their lives and build healthy routines to prepare for long-term recovery. 

A trauma-informed approach to care empowers clients by improving communication between them and the care team. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the "six principles that guide a trauma-informed approach, [include]:

  • Safety

  • Trustworthiness & transparency

  • Peer support

  • Collaboration & mutuality

  • Empowerment & choice

  • Cultural, historical & gender issues

The addiction recovery experts at pH Wellness practice all six principles during each stage of treatment. Clients transition gradually through a continuum of care, with each program taking advantage of trauma-informed therapy. Clinicians use psychotherapy, EMDR, mindfulness, and other tools to help clients process and reintegrate trauma memories, reducing the severity of symptoms and improving quality of life. You can benefit from participating in treatment programs at pH Wellness. 

Trauma has a profound effect on how people cope with stress and heal from substance use disorder. The experts at pH Wellness use trauma-informed therapy to help people feel safe and supported during the treatment process. To learn more about our programs and services, call us today at (951) 262-8046.