Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment
Explore evidence-based trauma treatment at Black Horse Health. We're here to help you lead a happy and healthy life.
Healing From Trauma With Our Team at Black Horse Health
Trauma is a widespread issue with far-reaching implications. 70% of U.S. adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their life.
At Black Horse Health, we understand how devastating the effects of trauma can be. Know that you don’t have to walk the road to recovery alone.
Our team of skilled and compassionate specialists have over 100 years of combined experience, and we are committed to helping you or your loved one lead a fulfilling life by providing you with the best evidence-based trauma treatment you deserve.
With scientifically-backed, whole-person services including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, and gender split trauma groups, we will create a path to recovery that best meets your unique set of symptoms.
Read On and Reach Out for the Support You Need and Deserve
Learn more about our trauma treatment programs, other treatment opportunities, and how our Black Horse Health team of specialists can help you heal in this comprehensive article. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for more information or to begin your path to wellness today.
What to Expect from This Article
This article delves into the proven methods used to treat trauma disorders, including evidence-based trauma treatment modalities that draw from research and clinical expertise. It provides effective solutions for the complex aftermath of traumatic experiences.
We’ll explore evidence-based trauma treatment’s principles, practices, and profound impact. Quality care can be the first step on the path toward resilience, growth, and renewal.
What is Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment?
Scientifically validated and time-tested, evidence-based trauma treatment offers effective solutions for managing the aftermath of traumatic events. These methods, backed by rigorous research, empower individuals to move forward with confidence.1
Evidence-based approaches are important because they provide:
Safety and Effectiveness
With trauma-informed care, the ultimate goal is to help trauma survivors regain autonomy over their well-being and improve their quality of life. Trauma treatment takes utmost care to prioritize the safety of individuals.
Every approach is meticulously assessed for potential risks and side effects, ensuring no one experiences any unnecessary harm or retraumatization during their recovery journey.
Evidence-based trauma interventions have demonstrated their effectiveness in achieving these goals. They provide clients with the best odds for recovery.2
Consistency and Accountability
Evidence-based trauma treatment uses consistent methods in various therapy sessions. This consistency helps ensure that clients receive valid and reliable care.
Therapists are also held accountable for the treatments they provide. Using evidence-based approaches allows for a clear assessment of treatment outcomes and helps practitioners make informed decisions about their client’s care.
Evidence-based trauma treatment is vital in the field of mental health. It provides a proven, safe way to help people heal from trauma-related issues. It also upholds ethical standards and accountability within the profession.
Key Components of Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment
Evidence-based trauma treatment has several key components that help therapists provide the best care.
These include:
- Client safety: A primary concern is to keep the client safe. This means creating a space where people can talk about their past without retraumatization.
- Assessment and evaluation: Another element of treatment is assessment and evaluation. Therapists complete a comprehensive assessment of the person’s trauma history and symptoms. This gives a thorough overview of the client’s concerns. During treatment, individuals also learn about trauma and how it affects them. Knowing about trauma helps them see their experiences as normal and reduces shame.
- Addressing trauma: Evidence-based trauma care directly addresses trauma and its associated symptoms. The approaches focus on processing traumatic memories. In doing so clients can reduce avoidance and challenge negative beliefs related to the trauma.
- Managing emotions: A final component of evidence-based trauma treatment is managing emotions. Clients learn strategies to manage overwhelming emotions that often come with trauma. This includes practicing techniques for relaxation and grounding. Using these approaches, clients learn to recognize and question negative thoughts related to their trauma. This process helps promote healthier thinking and perspective shifts.
How Research Validates Evidence-Based Trauma Interventions
Research studies play a vital role in identifying and validating trauma treatment modalities. To be considered evidence-based, studies must validate their effectiveness.
Here’s how research is used in this process:
Identification of Promising Interventions
The journey toward trauma-informed therapy begins with the identification of promising interventions.
This can be based on:
- Preliminary research
- Clinical observations
- Emerging therapies that show potential for addressing trauma-related issues
Preliminary Studies
Once promising approaches are identified, preliminary studies are conducted. Preliminary studies help refine the intervention and research design.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)
An RCT is the gold standard for assessing the effectiveness of trauma treatments. In an RCT, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups.
- The treatment group (receiving the trauma intervention)
- Or a control group (receiving a placebo or an alternative treatment)
This randomization helps reduce bias and assess the true impact of the intervention.
Data Collection
During clinical trials, data on the participants’ progress and outcomes are collected. This data includes baseline assessments and regular progress during treatment. This is to track the long-term effects of the intervention.
Statistical Analysis
The next in validating evidence-based methods is statistical analysis. Researchers use statistical analysis to test the data collected in clinical trials. This review determines if treatment reduces symptoms for those in the treatment group more than the control group.
Peer Review and Publication
After statistical analysis, research findings are subject to peer review. This is where experts in the field test the study’s methods, results, and conclusions.
Once accepted, the research is published in reputable scientific journals. This makes the findings accessible to the broader scientific community.
Replication
To prove their effectiveness, the results need to be replicated with different populations. Repeating a study shows that the treatment is valid and consistent.
Ongoing Evaluation
The field of trauma treatment continues to evolve. Ongoing research ensures that evidence-based trauma treatment remains up-to-date and relevant.
Research is crucial for developing and using trauma treatments. Through careful study, we see that these methods are safe, trustworthy, and effective.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Trauma
There are many different approaches to treatment. But some trauma treatments are more effective than others. These trauma-focused interventions are well-known:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a structured treatment for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-specific interventions.
- Process traumatic experiences
- Manage distressing emotions
- Develop coping skills
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Seeking Safety
Seeking Safety is therapy for people dealing with both trauma and substance problems. It focuses on:
- Safety
- Coping skills
- Addressing both trauma and addiction in a supportive and integrated manner.8
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for PTSD (IPT-PTSD)
These therapies work well for trauma-related issues. But the best choice depends on a person’s past trauma and preferences.
Criteria for Trauma Treatment Interventions
To be considered evidence-based, interventions must meet specific criteria that demonstrate their effectiveness and reliability. Here are the key criteria:
Effectiveness and Safety
Evidence-based trauma treatment adheres to specific criteria to ensure they are ethical and effective.
These principles include:
- Empirical support: This emphasizes that interventions must be based on scientific research and proven to reduce trauma-related symptoms.
- Safety: This ensures that clients are not retraumatized and their well-being is preserved.
Improving Quality of Life
Treatments should also prove they work by improving quality of life and reducing symptoms. Treatments based on evidence should fit each client’s needs and still follow:
- Ethical standards
- Respecting informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Client autonomy
Assessment and Intervention
Assessments of trauma history, symptoms, and strengths provide clear outcome measures to track progress. Interventions are evaluated and adapted as needed to best serve clients’ evolving needs.
Evidence-based trauma treatment reduces symptoms and follows the protocols and standards to ensure trauma survivors get the best care possible.
Addressing Diverse and Individualized Experiences in Trauma Treatment
Trauma-focused treatments consider the diverse experiences of trauma survivors. These treatments recognize that individuals have diverse backgrounds, experiences, and responses to trauma. They emphasize flexibility and individualization in treatment planning.
Trauma therapists undergo cultural competence training. This helps them understand the diverse backgrounds of their clients to ensure that therapy is culturally sensitive and relevant. By valuing each client’s differences, trauma treatment aims to provide more thoughtful care.
The Role of Assessment
Assessments also play a role in addressing diversity. Assessing a client’s circumstances gives them a better idea of what to address.
Trauma-focused assessment is conducted to:
- Explore the client’s past trauma including the situation, severity, and impact.
- Clients are evaluated for trauma-related symptoms, such as flashbacks and nightmares.
- Assessments also identify the client’s strengths and coping mechanisms.
- They consider the client’s background and any factors that may influence their experience and recovery.
Assessment helps ensure that interventions are individualized and effective.
Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment Reduces Symptoms
How Does Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment Work?
Here are some other ways treatment reduces symptoms of trauma:
- Cognitive restructuring: Trauma can lead to maladaptive thought patterns. Cognitive processing therapy helps individuals identify and challenge these thoughts. This leads to a reduction in distressing symptoms.
- Emotion regulation skills: Interventions like dialectical behavior therapy teach skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and be mindful of the present moment. These skills can help individuals manage overwhelming emotions resulting from trauma.
- Safe attachment and connection: Therapies that focus on interpersonal relationships, like attachment-based therapies, can address the disruptions trauma might cause in forming healthy relationships. Re-establishing trust and safe connections can be healing.
These treatments not only target specific symptoms but also enhance well-being. They help individuals regain a sense of control and restore their daily functioning. Evidence-based trauma treatment empowers trauma survivors to take back their lives and start healing.
Addressing Co-Occurring Conditions with Trauma Treatment
Evidence-based trauma treatment recognizes that trauma often happens alongside other mental health issues. Treating trauma and co-occurring issues together is essential for effective care.
Certain mental health concerns, like depression and anxiety, commonly occur with trauma. Addressing one or the other only solves part of the problem.
How Does Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment Address Co-occurring Disorders?
Evidence-based trauma treatment uses specific strategies to address these co-occurring conditions. For example, they might use parts of cognitive-behavioral therapy to help with anxiety or depression symptoms.
Clients are also taught emotion regulation skills to manage overwhelming emotions brought about by conditions like bipolar disorder.
For people with trauma and addiction issues, treatment focuses on preventing relapse. This reduces the risk of returning to substance use as a coping mechanism.
Why Is Treating Co-occurring Disorders More Effective Than Traditional Treatment?
Evidence-based interventions for trauma take a comprehensive approach that addresses both trauma and the co-occurring condition. Addressing both concerns ensures that clients are treated holistically. This improves well-being and provides a better chance for recovery.
Challenges and Opportunities to Promote Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment
Throughout the years, evidence-based trauma treatment has become more well-known. But there are still some challenges to getting these approaches in many mental health settings. The lack of accessible evidence-based trauma treatment shows there is room to promote these therapies.
Challenges
Potential challenges of promoting evidence-based trauma treatment include:
- Lack of awareness: Many mental health experts are unaware of these therapies or are not trained to use them. This lack of awareness can impede the use of these approaches.
- Training and education: Training therapists in evidence-based trauma treatment requires time and resources. Providing comprehensive training opportunities can be challenging, especially in resource-constrained settings.
- Resistance to change: Clinicians might be resistant to change. They may not want to use evidence-based approaches. Resistance to change can be a significant barrier to the use of these methods.
- Stigma and misconceptions: There can be a stigma surrounding trauma and mental health care. This may discourage individuals from seeking help and providers from offering evidence-based trauma treatment.
Opportunities
While there may be challenges to promoting these treatment methods, there are also opportunities for growth and improvement.
These include:
- Improved outcomes: Evidence-based trauma treatment is associated with better treatment outcomes. Promoting these approaches can lead to improved quality of care.13
- Training and education: Easy access to training programs can help professionals learn about and use evidence-based trauma treatment.
- Advocacy and public awareness: Advocacy efforts and public awareness campaigns can reduce stigma. This can increase demand for evidence-based trauma treatment and promote its use.
- Data and evaluation: Gathering and analyzing results can prove the effectiveness of evidence-based trauma treatment. This guides quality improvement efforts.
Promoting the use of trauma-focused treatment in mental health settings takes effort from many people. While challenges exist, the opportunities for supporting trauma survivors are significant. It’s important to address these concerns within treatment programs.
Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment at Black Horse Health
Our Black Horse Health team is wholly committed to providing the highest quality of care to our clients. We know the benefits of evidence-based trauma treatment and work to make these therapies accessible to individuals who battle the effects of trauma.
Successful recovery begins with addressing your trauma in a safe, supportive environment.
What We Offer
Our team of experts understands that each person has unique experiences and needs. For this reason, we use detailed assessments to tailor treatment interventions to you. We help you understand your trauma, and challenge negative responses to that trauma.
Our integrative method combines evidence-based approaches with holistic care. We address trauma as well as co-occurring disorders. We not only help individuals heal from their traumatic experiences but also promote well-being.
Some treatment opportunities you or your loved one will find at our Houston-based trauma treatment program include art therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), equine therapy, EMDR, and more. We will help you curate a path toward recovery that takes into account your unique set of needs, symptoms, and goals.
Start Your Journey Today
If you or someone you know is ready to address their trauma and start healing, contact us today. Start your journey with the support and quality care you need for successful recovery.
Resources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6224348/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00591/full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6235704/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4396183/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22641-emdr-therapy
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/prolonged_exposure.asp
- https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/cognitive-processing-therapy
- https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/seeking-safety
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6750225/
- https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-015-0632-2
- https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgremdr/8/3/157.abstract
- https://psychotherapy.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2002.56.1.59
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37026189/
