The Next Step on Your Healing Journey: Processing Trauma
After establishing a strong foundation of safety and stability, the next crucial step is to process the traumatic experiences. This phase involves processing the experience, understanding its impact, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
Understanding the Processing Trauma Phase
In this phase, you'll delve deeper into your traumatic experiences to gain insight, process emotions, and develop effective coping strategies. By confronting your past, you can release the emotional burden and work towards healing.
The Power of Processing Trauma
By exploring your experiences, you can uncover patterns and gain a deeper understanding of how trauma has impacted your life.
Processing trauma allows you to release pent-up emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve your overall mental health.
By confronting your past, you can develop the strength and resilience to navigate future challenges.
What to Expect in the Processing Trauma Phase
Emotional Processing: Engaging in activities that help you process your emotions, such as journaling, art therapy, or talking to a therapist.
Cognitive Processing: Learning cognitive techniques to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually confronting traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness to stay present and reduce anxiety.
Building Self-Compassion: Cultivating self-compassion and self-forgiveness.
Your journey to healing begins with the Safety and Stabilisation phase.
The first step is to contact us. You can reach out through our website, phone, text or email. A member of our team will discuss your needs and connect you with appropriate support services. We'll aim to make contatct with you within 2 working days.
Once you've connected with SiT, you'll undergo an initial assessment to determine your specific needs and develop a personalised care plan and recommendations based on your circumstances.
Understanding trauma and its impact is crucial for recognising the need for support, the type of support and promoting recovery.
You'll learn techniques to manage emotions, such as anxiety, anger, or sadness. This may include mindfulness, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that navigating the processing trauma phase can be challenging. Here are some common questions:
The duration of this phase varies for each individual. It depends on the complexity of the trauma, personal progress, and the therapeutic approach used.
Flashbacks and nightmares are common trauma responses. Techniques like grounding exercises, relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help can help manage these symptoms.
When done under the guidance of a qualified therapist, processing traumatic memories can be a safe and healing experience.
It's common to experience temporary discomfort or increased emotional sensitivity during the processing phase. However, this is a normal part of the healing process.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a helpful technique for identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. A therapist can guide you through this process.
Engaging in self-care activities, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support from loved ones can help build resilience.
Our Three-Phased Approach
We work to a 3 phase response to trauma, Dr. Pierre Janet conceived of the phased framework to trauma recovery in the late 1800’s and Dr. Judith Herman made it more readily known in her groundbreaking book, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence (1992). This is the evidence based model we use to navigate survivors through trauma recovery, but understand that no on size fits all.
Before we can do start to deal with the trauma you experienced, we need to ensure you are safe, have a supportive network and understand the impact of your sexual violence. We will most likely offer you our Hold Fast programme either 1:1 or in a group with other survivors – depending on your preference.
Focus on rebuilding and strengthening. This may take place through alternative therapies, other activities, peer support or through referrals to other organisations.
Survivor Resources & Research
Learning from other survivors journeys can be a powerful tool, and make you feel much less alone. Access specialist articles, survivor stories, and evidence-based research about childhood sexual violence recovery and support.
Articles and guides covering trauma responses, recovery stages, and practical support strategies for survivors of childhood sexual violence.
A curated collection of poems written by survivors of sexual abuse, sharing personal experiences of trauma, healing, and recovery. *Please note that whilst this content is moderated you may find some of it triggering so please take care*
Key findings from our research , revealing crucial insights into sexual violence and abuse, how survivors access support services, costs to the NHS and survivor experiences, and more
With your support, we can help more survivors access the support they need when they need it. Every donation directly funds our work to supporting those affected by sexual violence.
