“Go talk to someone”. People like to give advice when they see others struggling.
It’s a common idea from friends and family, that sharing and discussing your life, your past, your suffering will lead you down the path of peace and calm.
Does it work for everyone?
Many find traditional talk therapy helps them work through issues and situations in life with a trained psychologist or counselor. However, there are instances and circumstances where this may not be the case.
Complex trauma and individuals challenged with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), has raised concerns within the mental health landscape. Complex trauma, which stems from prolonged or multiple traumatic experiences, leads to a unique set of challenges that traditional talk therapy approaches might struggle to fully address. The multiple layers keep building, adding more confusion and distress. The cycle continues.
For example many traumas would have included being silent to protect yourself. Letting secrets out is not freeing. It is terrifying. And, keeps folks isolated. Which was what the perpetrator wanted.
When it comes to individuals living with complex trauma and PTSD, the conventional methods of talk therapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, might encounter limitations.
These therapies primarily focus on verbal communication and cognitive restructuring, which could fall short in accessing and alleviating the intricate and deeply rooted effects of trauma.
The language of communicating how you feel is also compromised. It was never in your vernacular so why would it be now?
Complex trauma results in a range of symptoms that extend beyond cognitive understanding and verbal expression.
You could never express yourself. Why would you know how to now?
This expectation from others means they had the privilege of growing up being able to communicate. To express themselves. Someone listened to them. Their opinions and their feelings mattered.
Do what is right for you instead of succumbing to societal pressure.
Traumatic experiences disrupt your emotional regulation, relationships, and physical well-being. This multifaceted impact necessitates therapeutic approaches encompassing the broader spectrum of these challenges. Traditional talk therapy might not fully encompass the physiological, emotional, and sensory dimensions associated with complex trauma and PTSD.
While talk therapy might not be universally effective for everyone dealing with complex trauma and PTSD, it remains a valuable tool for some individuals. Additionally, a combination of approaches, where talk therapy is supplemented with somatic or experiential techniques, could provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to healing.
While talk therapy has demonstrated its efficacy for others, it might not fully meet the needs of individuals living with complex trauma and PTSD. The multidimensional impact of trauma requires therapeutic approaches that encompass emotional, physiological, and sensory dimensions. Alternative therapies that incorporate nonverbal and somatic components may provide more effective avenues for healing and recovery.
Keep building your stainable platform, to feeling calm when you find methodologies that work for you, to construct your own calming box.