Trauma Therapy

Contact Time Wellness Detox today to begin addiction therapy in Arkansas.

What Is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that addresses the ongoing psychological impact of terrifying experiences from a person’s past.

Potentially traumatizing occurrences include:

• Abuse or neglect during childhood
• Physical attacks
• Sexual assault
• Serious illnesses
• Bullying and other forms of harassment
• Tornadoes and hurricanes
• Automobile accidents
• Acts of terrorism
• Sudden death of a loved one
• Military combat

Common characteristics of these disparate events are that they can cause a person to feel overwhelmed, isolated, and in fear for their life or the life of a loved one. 

Untreated trauma can put people at increased risk of myriad mental and behavioral health disorders, including addiction.

Types of Trauma Therapy We Provide

Therapies that can be especially beneficial for people who have been living with untreated trauma include:

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy – A dynamic approach to alleviate emotional pain related to specific traumatic memories
• Cognitive behavioral therapy – Helping people overcome emotional distress by identifying maladaptive thought patterns and replacing them with healthier ways of thinking
• Holistic therapy – Using expressive arts, mindfulness and meditation, animal-assisted therapy, and similar approaches to promote true healing in mind, body, and spirit

Arkansas Treatment Programs That Provide Trauma Therapy 

Trauma therapy in Arkansas can be provided in several environments, including detox centers, residential treatment facilities, and outpatient programs:

• Detox – Short-term care to help people get through withdrawal as safely and comfortably as possible
• Inpatient – Personalized treatment featuring multiple types of therapy, comprehensive support, and round-the-clock supervision
• Outpatient – Customized clinical care without a residential component to help patients maintain and build on the progress they made at the inpatient level

How Effective is Trauma Therapy?

Multiple studies over many years have documented the effectiveness of various trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, such as:

• A January 2012 meta-analysis in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, which reviewed 17 independent studies, concluded that integrated treatment for addiction and trauma was associated with “large reductions in both [substance use disorder] and PTSD symptoms.”
• A November 2018 review in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Science reported that prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) all have “a large evidence base supporting their effectiveness in treating PTSD.”
• A February 2025 study in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, which included 85 adult participants, found that TF-CBT was associated with “a significant reduction in PTSD, depression, dissociation, and emotion regulation difficulties.”

How Addiction & Trauma Correlate

The connection between trauma and addiction is due in part to the ways that trauma can damage a person’s sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s “fight or flight” response.

The effects of this damage can include:

• Sense of being perpetually in danger
• Inability to moderate your response to perceived threats
• Diminished capacity for managing stress and controlling anger
• Recurrent feelings of detachment and isolation
• Loss of self-confidence and self-worth

When a person doesn’t get appropriate professional help to address these issues, they may turn to alcohol and other substances in an attempt to find even temporary relief. The more they use substances to numb their emotional pain, the more likely they are to develop an addiction. 

Compulsive drinking or drug use can, in turn, exacerbate the effects of the trauma. This can push a person into a downward spiral of progressively greater despair and increased substance use.

How Do I Know I Need Trauma Therapy?

The best way to determine if you can benefit from trauma therapy is to be assessed by a qualified mental health professional.

Some people who struggle with addiction or mental health concerns understand that they are still dealing with the aftereffects of one or more traumatic experiences from their past. Others have no realization that their current struggles are related to events that may have occurred years or even decades earlier.

In either case, an assessment can give you greater insights into the factors that are influencing your mental and behavioral health today. The professional who conducts your assessment can also help you find the type of treatment that best aligns with your unique needs and goals.

What To Expect in a Trauma Therapy Session

The specifics of a trauma therapy session can vary depending on which type of treatment you are receiving. 

For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a more traditional type of talk therapy, primarily consisting of conversations with a therapist. EMDR incorporates bilateral eye movements, and holistic therapies can involve an array of active experiences.

However, regardless of which type of trauma therapy you participate in, you should always expect:

• A safe, supportive, and respectful treatment environment
• Guidance from trained professional
• Clear explanations of the process
• Encouragement to ask questions and request clarification when necessary
• The ability to call for a break if you begin to feel overwhelmed

Why Time Wellness?

Here are a few of the many reasons why Time Wellness Detox in Arkansas may be the ideal place to begin treatment for an addiction to alcohol or another substance:

• While you’re with us, you will be in a safe and closely supervised environment under the care of a team of experienced and compassionate professionals.
• The members of your treatment team will be familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process. This can eliminate fear of the unknown and help you maintain your motivation.
• Your detox team will also be prepared to address any contingencies that can threaten your health. The moment you experience any concerning symptoms, they can take immediate action to keep you safe.
• Depending on the nature and severity of your withdrawal symptoms, your treatment team may provide both medical and therapeutic support to help you manage any discomfort. 
• While you’re still in detox, you may be able to participate in therapy sessions to address co-occurring mental health conditions and help you begin to build a framework for successful, long-term recovery.
• We will document your progress, identify areas of ongoing concern, and use this information to recommend the most appropriate types follow-on treatment for you.