Trauma
Treatment for Trauma at Black Horse Health
Trauma can occur in many forms and have several negative effects on the body and mind. However, if you or someone you care about is struggling with past trauma, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Our team at Black Horse Health has specialists who can provide well-rounded trauma support to help in the healing process using trauma focused therapy. .
Read on to find more information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available that can help with trauma.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a severe and distressing event, such as:
- A major accident
- An injury
- An assault
- Witnessing someone being harmed
After experiencing a traumatic event, it’s a natural response for the body and mind to struggle to cope with it. Denial or trying to block the event or thought out is common.
Why Trauma Treatment is Necessary
Untreated symptoms of trauma can be intense and make it hard for someone to live a happy and healthy life.
If you or your loved one are ready to overcome your trauma and regain autonomy over your life and well-being, know that Black Horse Health is here to guide you toward lasting recovery.
Trauma can come in many forms, and it’s our team’s mission to help find the right solution for every patient who walks through our doors. Building the inner strength needed to recover from trauma is an ongoing process, and we’ll be with you each step of the way with a custom-made plan to fit your needs.
Types of Trauma
It’s important to consider the different types of trauma. During our intensive assessment at Black Horse Health, we work to understand each patient’s needs while providing considerate support each step of the way. This allows us to create plans that are effective for any way trauma may have occurred.
Here is a breakdown of some common types of trauma and treatment needs for each one.
Acute trauma is the result of experiencing a single distressing incident. Someone who experienced an incident like this may present with symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Lack of trust
- Inability to focus
- Feeling disconnected from surroundings
Treatment for Acute Trauma
While treatment will be focused on learning how to cope with the single incident, it’s important to still use a well-rounded approach due to the way that these symptoms can manifest mentally and physically. A holistic approach will also address any co-occurring conditions that may occur as a result.
For example, some individuals with trauma may struggle with substance use disorder. They do this as a way to cope with the trauma or in order to deal with certain triggers that can occur in daily life. These varied symptoms are why Black Horse Health takes a tailored approach for every patient.
Chronic trauma occurs when someone experiences multiple or ongoing traumatic events over an extended period. It’s also common for symptoms of chronic trauma to develop long after the trauma stops. For instance, someone may report experiencing symptoms a year or more after the last incident.
When symptoms start developing, it’s important to get proper treatment from a trained and licensed team of professionals like our team at Black Horse Health. Symptoms occur in many ways, and some people will respond to different forms of therapy better than others.
Common Symptoms of Chronic Trauma
Some common symptoms that occur with chronic trauma are:
- Emotional outbursts
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Body aches
Some people who have experienced ongoing trauma may blame themselves, so it’s important to approach recovery with a kind and supportive approach that builds inner strength.
Complex trauma occurs when someone experiences multiple and varied traumatic events. It’s often associated with relationships, such as an abusive partner or parent.
However, it can also occur when someone has a number of traumatic incidents happen in a row, such as physical assault that causes an injury that is then followed by a frightening treatment experience.
Those who experience complex trauma often report a feeling of being trapped, amongst other common symptoms like anxiety and flashbacks. Like other forms of trauma, it’s important to take a custom approach that accounts for all aspects of the patient’s life.
When someone experiences a traumatic incident, it unfortunately can’t be undone. However, there are many options that will help manage symptoms of trauma to live a happy and healthy life.
Ongoing therapy will provide people with coping mechanisms for triggers and symptoms, along with helping them create a long-term plan for success.
When someone receives treatment from our team at Black Horse Health, we also provide alumni support and check-ins after they’ve completed a program with us. This way, they’ll always have a helpful team by their side.
Common Causes of Trauma
It’s important for treatment professionals to account for any traumatic incidents patients may have experienced to achieve the best results.
Some common causes of trauma include:
- Physical or sexual assault
- Severe illness or injury
- Witnessing an act of violence
- Combat-induced stress or violence (common in veterans who experience PTSD)
- The death of a loved one
- Natural disasters
- Childhood neglect
- Serious medical procedures
This list is far from comprehensive. Even if you or a loved one didn’t experience something listed here, seeking treatment is still crucial if symptoms of trauma occur. This list is far from comprehensive. Even if you or a loved one didn’t experience something listed here, seeking treatment is still crucial if symptoms of trauma occur.
When Should You Pursue Treatment for Trauma?
When you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the above symptoms due to a traumatic incident, it’s a good idea to seek treatment.
Our team at Black Horse Health can provide a comprehensive diagnosis to understand the right treatment approach for your unique needs, as well as outline a program that will be a match for you.
How Can Black Horse Health Help Treat Trauma?
Our team at Black Horse Health is highly trained in a variety of trauma-focused treatment options. Whether you’re looking for treatment programs, therapy, or holistic care options, we know that we can find the right form of care for you.
We will work with you to develop strategies to cope, heal, and move forward with daily life.
Treatment Programs
After receiving a full diagnosis from our treatment specialists, you may be introduced to a range of treatment programs that we have available. Here’s a breakdown of what each has to offer:
Mental Health Stabilization
At times, patients with trauma may come to a treatment facility when they are experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. An initial mental health stabilization will help bring a patient down to a non-crisis level so that they can approach a full recovery program from a solid foundation.
When you enter mental health stabilization with us at Black Horse Health, you’ll have a friendly and knowledgeable medical team by your side around the clock. We’ll set you up with a comfortable and supportive environment while providing structured guidance to help with the first steps toward recovery.
Residential Treatment
Those who want to take a structured approach to trauma-focused treatment can benefit from residential care.
This involves staying at our quiet, upscale, and private facility while taking part in:
- Therapeutic treatment
- Group meetings
- Mindfulness activities
- Other activities based on the personalized approach that is recommended for your needs
The benefit of residential care is it allows you to put your entire focus on treatment and recovery while eliminating outside stressors for the time being. Additionally, you will have a supportive staff available at all times whenever you have questions or need assistance.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Partial hospitalization is a form of intensive outpatient care. It’s often a step up from a standard outpatient program. It may also be used as a stepping stone to help individuals reintegrate back into everyday life after completing a residential program.
With a PHP, you’ll be able to return home each night while receiving treatment at the facility up to seven days each week, depending on your individual needs.
Outpatient Treatment
When symptoms of trauma aren’t as severe or you need to maintain work or family responsibilities, outpatient treatment can be a good fit for your needs. Therapy sessions, support group meetings, and other life skill-building activities can often be customized to your schedule with outpatient treatment.
However, since you’ll have to commute to the facility for regular treatment, it’ll be important to stay accountable throughout. Having a strong support system at home is often imperative for this option.
Family Program
Those experiencing trauma can often benefit from family support. Our family program allows your loved ones to get involved with treatment, as well as providing education so they can understand what you’re experiencing and how they can help.
In addition, with trauma-based treatment, it’s not uncommon for family members to have experienced similar trauma. Family members who need ongoing support together can also benefit from taking this approach.
Therapies
When treating trauma, the right type of therapy often depends on individual responses and needs. Fortunately, our team at Black Horse Health is composed of specialists who are educated in many forms of therapeutic treatment.
Here’s a breakdown of some common therapies that can help with trauma:
CBT or the trauma focused therapy, is based on the principle of understanding how our thoughts affect our behaviors. In patients who struggle with trauma, this can be particularly effective since these experiences can have a number of negative impacts on someone’s thoughts about themselves or the world.
As patients begin to understand the impact of internal thoughts and viewpoints, they can begin implementing coping mechanisms that will help with symptoms of trauma, dealing with triggers, and identifying any co-occurring conditions.
EMDR is another common therapy for trauma. It’s a focused form of therapy where the therapist encourages the patient to discuss a traumatic incident they experienced while providing external stimulation by directing their eye movements.
Moving the patient’s eyes when they discuss these events reduces the vividness and emotion associated with them. It can help separate the person from the trauma and challenge any viewpoints associated with it that are having negative impacts on their daily life.
Patients who’ve experienced trauma can benefit from group or family therapy. Group therapy sessions provide a supportive environment with others who have similar experiences. It can help people develop a support network of others who understand their struggles.
Family therapy is also a great way to provide a more supportive home environment while educating family members and talking through struggles.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach that puts more of an emphasis on mindfulness exercises while promoting effective communication and self-care practices.
This can be a good approach for trauma-focused therapy when a patient has a hard time talking about the traumatic events they experienced. It’s also an effective way to promote relaxing coping mechanisms during times of stress or when emotional triggers occur in daily life.
Holistic Treatment Options
At Black Horse Health, we also offer a range of holistic treatment options for those who are struggling with trauma.
Some common options that can help with trauma include:
Nutrition and fitness programs
Yoga
Mindfulness activities
Movement therapy
Art/expression therapy
These outlets provide an opportunity to heal the body and mind. They’ll also build a solid foundation of positive habits that will keep you on track after you finish your program.
Black Horse Health provides holistic and comprehensive treatment for trauma at our facility in Houston, Texas. We’re here to help you or a loved one with your needs each step of the way with a customized and caring program tailored to individual needs.
Reach out to us today to learn more. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
