Physical Abuse Trauma Therapy Q&A

Physical trauma therapy focuses on helping individuals who have experienced physical trauma to address the psychological and emotional effects of the trauma. Also known as trauma-focused therapy, this field of therapy works to help these individuals heal and process their experiences. Several different techniques can be used in physical trauma therapy, of which one or more can be used for an individual patient depending on what proves to be effective for them, including techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), somatic experiencing, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Physical trauma therapy aims to reduce the symptoms of distress while providing each patient with support and promotion of their overall well-being and healing process.

Physical abuse can lead to multiple types of traumas that affect both the physical and psychological health of the individual. The psychological trauma that is the result of physical abuse can be long-lasting and can cause mental health disorders as a result, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some symptoms that can result from physical abuse include feelings of fear, low self-esteem, an inability or difficulty in trusting others, and may exhibit symptoms of PTSD including flashbacks, hypervigilance, and nightmares. 

Many, many different effects can occur as a result of physical abuse, with physical injuries, emotional and psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship and trust issues, as well as long-term health consequences being some of the most common effects. Physical injuries that result from physical abuse can range quite a bit but will most often include visible injuries, including cuts, bruises, and broken bones, with many cases also including internal injuries. The emotional and psychological effects of physical abuse typically include the development of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, and PTSD. Additionally, those who suffer from physical abuse often face increased difficulties in trusting others, making it hard for them to form healthy relationships as they can often struggle to establish boundaries. The long-term health consequences that often result from physical abuse include chronic headaches, chronic pain, and an increased risk of developing several different health conditions. 

It is not uncommon for physical trauma to result in emotional trauma, as physical abuse or a severe injury can have a substantial impact on the emotional well-being of any individual and can often negatively affect the overall mental health of the patient both in the short and long term. Many people who undergo physical trauma will develop mental distress, sometimes developing fear, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or anger due to the circumstances or just the severity of the pain being experienced. Mental health support following physical abuse or trauma is incredibly important, almost as important as accessing physical health treatment, to ensure that the patient can heal and address all of the potential effects of the trauma to prevent them from developing long-term mental health conditions. 

Several types of therapy are commonly recommended for patients recovering from trauma and abuse, with the type of therapy that is recommended for each patient depending on their specific needs and preferences. The most common types of therapy that are used for treatment of trauma and abuse include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on the connections between the patients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and is used to identify and interrupt thought patterns that are negatively affecting the emotional health of the patient. This type of therapy typically aims to provide patients with healthy coping strategies and to teach them how to incorporate more positive ways of thinking. 

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, sounds, hand taps) while having the patient focus on memories or thoughts of their trauma as a means to help the brain reprocess the traumatic information to reduce the emotional distress that is currently being produced from it, providing healing and relief for the patients.

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT combines CBT with mindfulness techniques to allow the patient to learn strategies to manage their emotions, healthily cope with stress in a healthy way, and improve their relationships. 
• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is a type of CBT that focuses on providing support for children and adolescents who have undergone trauma, often including components of play therapy, family therapy, and more to address the unique needs of each patient to help them process their traumatic experience and learn healthy coping skills. 

All individuals who have suffered from trauma must work with a qualified therapist who has received specialized training in trauma that can determine an effective and suitable therapeutic approach. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Delray Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, Stuart FL, Palm City FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Wellington FL, Vero Beach FL, Citrus Ridge FL, Jacksonville FL, Riverside FL, Port St. Lucie FL, Beau Rivage West FL, Melbourne FL, Palm Bay FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, Hollywood FL, Jupiter FL, North Palm Beach FL, and surrounding areas.