TRAUMA THERAPY IN SINGAPORE

What are Traumatic Events?

A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that is often life-threatening. It can affect someone emotionally and physically and traumatic events include experiences such as natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods), acts of violence (such as assault, abuse, terror attacks, and mass shootings), and car crashes or other accidents.

It is normal to experience reactions to the traumatic event such as sadness, anxiety, rumination of the traumatic event and trouble with sleep and concentration. Most people will recover with time, but some people may continue to experience significant symptoms, and might be diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In such instances, trauma therapy comes in useful. Trauma therapy recognises that experiencing traumatic events can have long-lasting effects on a person's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It focuses on creating a safe environment for individuals to process their traumatic experiences, understand their reactions, and develop coping strategies to manage symptoms related to trauma.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Most people who have been exposed to traumatic event(s) can recover with time. However, some people may continue to experience significant distress reactions beyond one month and these reactions interfere with the person's daily functioning. In such a situation, the person may be diagnosed with PTSD and would required trauma therapy offered by a qualified mental health professional.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

Intrusive Thoughts or Memories: Distressing memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to the traumatic event.
Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, including places, people, activities, or situations that evoke memories of the trauma.
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Persistent negative beliefs or expectations about oneself or the world, distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event, feelings of detachment from others, or lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Changes in Arousal and Reactivity: Hyper-vigilance, being easily startled, irritability, angry outbursts, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, or reckless or self-destructive behaviour.

Types of Trauma Therapy

Trauma can have a significant impact on an individual's life and it is critical that the appropriate treatment be provided to individuals. Therapy modalities will differ based on the type of trauma experienced and its impact on the individual. There are a few different types of trauma therapy which can be used either in isolation or in combination to help treat an individual through psychological counselling in Singapore.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy that is developed for children and adolescents from 3 to 18 years old. Younger patients experience trauma differently from adults and require an approach suited to their developmental needs.

One of the unique aspects of TF-CBT is that it recognises the invaluable role played by parents and caregivers. TF-CBT involves them in the process, teaches them communication skills to connect better with the child in their care, and provides support through stress-management techniques.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Similar to TF-CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive-behavioural approach developed for adults who experience PTSD from traumatic events. It informs patients about the effects of PTSD and helps them confront the associated negative emotions. In addition, CPT takes things a step further by addressing the relationship between the traumatic event and the automatic thoughts and unhelpful beliefs as a result of the traumatic event. By identifying errors in thinking, understanding where they stem from, and correcting problematic perspectives, CPT can help patients challenge and modify unwanted beliefs as a result of the traumatic event.

Eye Movement Desensitisation And Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. EMDR therapy works by using left-right (bilateral) stimulation to reduce the emotional impact of a traumatic memory. Based on concepts from CBT and other psychotherapy theories, EMDR therapy focuses on changing the way specific memories are stored in the brain.

During an EMDR therapy session, patients will be led through stimulation sets while focusing on the targeted memory. This is designed to desensitise the patient and help them dissociate the memory of the trauma from unwanted symptoms.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Techniques such as mindfulness meditation can help individuals develop greater awareness and acceptance of their emotions and sensations related to trauma.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

This approach integrates talk therapy with body-centered techniques to help individuals process and release trauma stored in the body.

Goals of Trauma Therapy

Safety and Stability: Establishing a sense of safety is crucial in trauma therapy. Therapists help clients feel safe both physically and emotionally, ensuring that the therapeutic environment is supportive and secure.
Emotional Regulation: Trauma often disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Therapy helps individuals learn techniques to manage overwhelming emotions, reduce anxiety, and cope with triggers.
Reduce Avoidant Behaviours: Avoidant behaviour is common among sufferers of PTSD and will be addressed over the course of trauma therapy. Avoidant behaviour can have a negative impact on a person’s life ranging from minor inconveniences to major disruptions
Processing Traumatic Memories: Therapy provides a structured framework for individuals to gradually confront and process traumatic memories. This may involve techniques where clients verbally recount their experiences in a safe and controlled manner.
Cognitive Restructuring: Helping clients identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs stemming from the trauma. This can lead to a more adaptive understanding of the traumatic event and reduce feelings of shame or guilt.
Integration and Healing: Ultimately, trauma therapy aims to integrate the traumatic experience into the person's life story in a way that promotes growth, resilience, and healing. This involves fostering a sense of empowerment and rebuilding trust in oneself and others.

What can I Expect from a Therapist for Trauma Therapy in Singapore?

During the first session of trauma therapy in Singapore, your therapist will seek to understand the impact of the traumatic event in your life and propose appropriate treatment techniques. The initial psychological assessment period is crucial as multiple background factors have to be considered before proceeding with the appropriate treatment. Typically after the intake session, psychoeducation and coping skills are one of the first few interventions that will be covered before proceeding to process the traumatic events.

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