Trauma Therapy

Services

Do You Need
Any Help?

Resources

Trauma Therapy In Virginia

At Virginia Addiction Center, we understand that trauma can affect all aspects of a person’s life. You might have experienced events that have left deep emotional scars, making it hard to move forward. Whether you’re dealing with painful memories from childhood or a more recent traumatic event, you’re not alone. Trauma therapy in Virginia offers a path to healing, providing a safe space to confront and process the past. Our team of compassionate and experienced therapists is here to support you every step of the way.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to distressing events, making individuals feel overwhelmed, helpless, or deeply afraid. It can stem from single incidents or ongoing harmful experiences and, if untreated, can disrupt daily life, relationships, and mental well-being. Trauma manifests uniquely for each person, potentially causing behavioral changes, physical symptoms, or emotional difficulties like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, or depression.

a woman recieves Trauma therapy in virginia

Types of Trauma

Trauma isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. There are various types of trauma, and understanding these distinctions is crucial to effective therapy.

Acute Trauma

Acute trauma results from a single, isolated event. This might be a car accident, natural disaster, or violent attack. The suddenness of the event often leads to immediate feelings of fear, shock, or helplessness. While the traumatic event itself may be short-lived, the emotional aftermath can last much longer.

Chronic Trauma

Chronic trauma arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to stressful events. This type of trauma might be experienced by someone who has faced domestic violence, long-term neglect, or childhood abuse. Because chronic trauma can extend over years, its effects may be deeply rooted and harder to recognize without professional support.

Complex Trauma

Complex trauma often involves multiple traumatic events, particularly those that occur in childhood. It typically affects the individual’s sense of self, relationships, and ability to regulate emotions. People who’ve experienced complex trauma may struggle with feelings of worthlessness or ongoing emotional numbness.

Secondary or Vicarious Trauma

Not everyone who experiences trauma has been directly involved in a traumatic event. Sometimes, individuals who care for trauma survivors—such as healthcare workers, therapists, or first responders—develop what’s known as secondary or vicarious trauma. This occurs when repeated exposure to others’ trauma leads to similar emotional or psychological distress.

A woman talks to her therapist during therapy in virginia

Causes of Trauma

Trauma can be caused by a wide variety of events, and what may be traumatic for one person might not be the same for someone else. Understanding the range of trauma causes can help in addressing the specific needs of individuals in therapy. Our specialized trauma therapy in Virginia provides a safe and compassionate environment for clients to address underlying trauma contributing to their substance use.

Some causes of trauma include:

Accidents. Car crashes, falls, or other accidents can cause sudden, acute trauma. Often, these incidents leave individuals feeling powerless and unable to control their surroundings.

Natural disasters. Events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods disrupt lives in dramatic and often life-threatening ways. The sense of unpredictability that comes with natural disasters can leave a lasting impact.

Abuse or assault. Whether physical, sexual, or emotional, abuse is one of the most common causes of trauma. Survivors of abuse may carry the weight of shame, guilt, or fear, even long after the abuse has ended.

War and violence. Individuals who have experienced war, terrorism, or violent crime often develop severe forms of trauma. Veterans, for example, may return from conflict zones with PTSD or other trauma-related conditions.

Grief and loss. The sudden or unexpected death of a loved one can create a traumatic response, especially if the individual was involved in or witnessed the event.

A man discusses his experiences during therapy virginia

Big T Trauma and Little t Trauma

A helpful way to understand trauma is by distinguishing between Big T trauma and Little T trauma. This differentiation can guide how we approach therapy and healing.

Big T Trauma

Big T trauma refers to significant, life-altering events that typically lead to immediate and intense emotional responses. These are experiences most people would recognize as traumatic, such as a major accident, natural disaster, or severe abuse. Big T trauma is often the focus when people think about trauma therapy, as these events are more commonly associated with conditions like PTSD.

Little t Trauma

While Big T trauma is often easier to identify, Little T trauma can be just as impactful over time. Little t trauma encompasses smaller, everyday events that may not seem catastrophic at first but can still cause significant emotional pain. Examples include frequent arguments with loved ones, ongoing stress at work, or feelings of rejection. Although these experiences might not seem overwhelming individually, their cumulative effect can be profound.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic events or situations during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or family dysfunction. Recent findings from the National Survey of Adolescents and other research suggest that approximately 1 in 4 children and teens in the United States encounter at least one potentially traumatic event by the time they turn 16. These experiences can have long-lasting effects on mental health, influencing behavior and emotional regulation into adulthood.

Addressing ACEs in therapy helps individuals understand and heal from these early experiences, leading to better overall well-being. At Virginia Addiction Center, we offer trauma therapy in Virginia to help individuals heal from past emotional wounds while overcoming addiction.

The Trauma and Substance Use Connection

The connection between trauma and substance use often follows a cyclical process. Initially, an individual experiences a traumatic event, leading to significant emotional and psychological distress. To manage this distress, they may turn to drugs or alcohol for temporary relief, creating a sense of escape from the trauma-related pain.

Over time, this reliance on substances can develop into dependence, further altering brain chemistry and reinforcing the cycle of use and distress. The substances provide short-term relief but ultimately exacerbate emotional instability and dependence, deepening the disconnection from reality and making it harder to address the underlying trauma.

As the cycle continues, the impact of substance use can interfere with effective trauma treatment, overshadowing the benefits of therapy and complicating recovery. Integrated treatment approaches are essential to address both trauma and substance use simultaneously.

This involves combining several therapy approaches, with strategies for managing substance dependence. By tackling both issues, individuals can break the cycle, heal from trauma, and achieve lasting recovery.

How Trauma Therapy Works at Virginia Addiction Center

Our trauma therapy programs offer a range of evidence-based techniques tailored to each individual’s needs. Some of the key approaches we use include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ways of thinking. For trauma survivors, this can be instrumental in overcoming the feelings of helplessness and fear that often accompany traumatic experiences.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Trauma-focused therapy is specifically designed to help individuals process and make sense of their traumatic experiences. This form of therapy often involves both talk therapy and experiential techniques that promote healing at a deeper level.

Group and Family Therapy

Trauma doesn’t just affect the individual; it often impacts families and relationships. We offer group and family therapy sessions to help loved ones heal together, rebuilding trust and understanding in the process.

Rehab for Veterans

Rehab for veterans often includes trauma therapy to address the psychological impact of combat and other military experiences. These therapies help veterans process trauma, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and improve overall mental well-being.

A woman shares her experiencs during group therapy

Start Your Path to Healing With Expert Trauma Therapy in Virginia

We know that healing from trauma is a journey. Some days, it might feel like progress is slow, and other days, it may feel like breakthroughs happen all at once. If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing, we’re here for you. Trauma therapy in Virginia offers a path to recovery that is personalized to your unique needs and experiences.