THERAPY FOR TRAUMA
In the lives of countless individuals, trauma leaves an indelible mark. Besides causing emotional distress, trauma inhibits individuals from being their authentic selves and fully embracing life.
At PULSE+, we we understand the profound impact trauma can have on your life and we are here to offer our support and expertise. Through evidence-based therapies led by a clinical psychologist, we aim to create a safe space for you to begin your healing journey. Together, we’ll help you navigate your emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and start to reclaim your life.
What is Trauma?
Trauma can arise from a single traumatic event (e.g. accident, violence, natural disasters) or a prolonged series of events (e.g. abuse, bullying) that caused significant psychological, emotional or physical distress. It can continue to cause emotional distress even long after the event has passed, sometimes to the point affecting daily functioning.
Types of Trauma
Different types of trauma can arise depending on the nature of the events they originate from. Below are some of the more commonly encountered ones. Note that this list is not exhaustive and does not include all the types of trauma that we can help with.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition that can develop in response to directly experiencing or witnessing an acute, specific traumatic event(s), such as war, rape, violence or natural disasters. It is characterised by a range of distressing symptoms that significantly impacts the person’s daily life and well-being.
Childhood or Developmental Trauma
Also known as complex trauma, this type of trauma typically occurs from traumatic experiences during childhood to adolescence; such as:
- Prolonged neglect or abuse (emotional or physical)
- Instability in the home environment (domestic violence, divorce, death of a parent).
- Painful experiences in school or with peers (e.g. being bullied)
Relational Trauma
This type of trauma is rooted in the damage to interpersonal relationships caused by traumatic experiences, such as infidelity, betrayal, or being in an abusive relationship.
Emotional or Psychological Trauma
Trauma can also arise from any event that led to major emotional distress, such as the loss of a loved one, a breakup, or a significant life change.
Note that this list is not exhaustive and does not include all the types of traumas that we can help with.
Signs & Symptoms of Trauma
Therapies for Trauma
Select psychotherapy approaches have been recognised as evidence-based treatments for trauma, supported by a body of clinical research that has demonstrated their effectiveness with individuals dealing with traumatic experiences.
In working with trauma, the specific therapy approach a therapist may use would depend on various factors. It is more common for a therapist to draw on multiple approaches to better address the presenting problem.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a therapy approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. EMDR is based on the theory that traumatic memories can remain partially processed or unprocessed in the brain, leading to distressing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional distress.
EMDR therapy helps individuals by guiding them through a structured eight-phase process, during which they revisit and reprocess traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through side-to-side eye movements, hand-tapping, or auditory cues.
This process is believed to help the brain reorganise these memories and reduce their emotional charge, ultimately reducing the impact of the trauma on the individual’s life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used therapy based on the premise that the way we think has a major impact on how we feel. In the case of trauma, individuals work with a therapist to identify and challenge negative and distressing thought patterns related to the traumatic event, replacing them with more adaptive and rational thoughts. This process helps reduce reexperiencing symptoms and emotional distress.
Sufferers of trauma tend to avoid memories of the traumatic event or situations/people that serve as reminders of it, as these trigger emotional distress. While this is a natural reaction, it exacerbates the trauma in the long term and also ends up restricting their lives.
Healing from their trauma requires them to face these memories or trigger situations. A component of CBT called exposure therapy can help individuals confront and process traumatic memories and triggers in a safe and controlled manner.
Mindfulness-based Therapies
Learning mindfulness skills can help individuals to more effectively manage their trauma-related symptoms and emotions. They can include:
– Remaining in the present moment,
– Non-judgementally accepting positive as well as negative emotions
– Exercising self-compassion
– Relaxation & breathing exercises
The above skills can be especially helpful whenever difficult trauma emotions and memories arise.
Meet Our Psychologist
Dr Jaswyn Chin
Lead Clinical Psychologist
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), James Cook University Singapore*
Bachelors of Art in Psychology, Murdoch University Australia
Registered Psychologist with Singapore Psychological Society (SPS)
Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP) Approved Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Jaswyn is a registered clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience. She has extensive experience providing intervention for trauma and a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety, stress, depression, grief, insomnia, OCD to personality disorders.
Jaswyn is trained in multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy (EMDR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Dr Jaswyn generally adopts a person-centred approach to therapy where she believes in working collaboratively with individuals through the process of recovery.
During her free time, Jaswyn enjoys music and plays the piano. She is also a keen learner of new languages and loves to travel.
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese (Fluent in all)
*According to current Ministry of Health (MOH) Healthcare Services Act (2020), psychologists with doctoral qualifications are to have a disclaimer of a non-medical or non-dental qualification.
Let us journey with you towards a path of healing and recovery.
Book an appointment with a PULSE+ Psychologist today.
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Visit our AskPULSE portal to ask our PULSE+ Allied Health specialists or PULSE TCM Physicians any questions about your health or about our services.