A person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often faces a wide range of challenges. This may include invasive thoughts and flashbacks. It can limit their overall quality of life. A range of treatment options may help with this, including a somatic experiencing program. For many people, this type of innovative therapy can create significant changes. Fort Behavioral Health offers a somatic experiencing program to treat a range of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic experiencing is a type of treatment designed to manage trauma, as a traumatic event is often behind PTSD symptoms. It is some type of experience in which a person’s brain didn’t fully process and work through the events because it was too painful. With somatic experiencing, it is possible to overcome the pain of trauma.
This therapy was developed by watching prey animals in the wild. When these animals, who are nearly always at risk, experience a stressful event, they release the energy from the stressor. The animals don’t hold onto it as humans do. Humans typically start experiencing feelings of shame and guilt. Their pervasive thoughts and judgments interfere with daily life. The goal here, then, is to allow that energy to be released so you are no longer stuck in the processing of the traumatic experience.
Why PTSD and Trauma Need to Be Managed
A person who experiences some type of traumatic event gets “stuck” in the processing of that event. This trauma could be some type of abuse, watching a loved one die, or experiencing a very high-risk situation where their life is on the line. In these experiences, a person feels helpless and trapped. They replay what happened over and over again. If they don’t deal with this trauma, it will interfere with many areas of their life.
There are many potential benefits to somatic experiencing at Fort Behavioral Health, such as:
- Reduce the symptoms of the trauma a person is currently experiencing, enabling them to restore mental health
- Re-setting the nervous system and addressing the shock to it can help a person to feel more at ease in the world around them
- No longer experiencing the sensations of flashbacks that may create high stress levels and aggressive behaviors
- Improving focus and concentration abilities, allowing a person to feel more connected to their body, mind, and spirit
- Feeling whole and no longer encumbered by the trauma that’s impacted their life often allowing a person to stop using substances to treat those feelings
Is Addiction Therapy Right for You?
During this type of experience, you’ll work through a series of steps that encourage you to re-set the central nervous system. This allows you to step away from the constant presence of painful memories so you can focus better on your life and well-being.
Fort Behavioral Health offers this as one of the therapies we use to help men and women through these difficult experiences. If you embrace it fully, you may find it offers a wide range of opportunities for you to thrive and move beyond the pain you’ve felt. For many people, this can be life-changing.
It’s just one of many therapies we offer. Our other therapy options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- 12-Step therapy programs
- Motivational Interviewing
Use Somatic Experiencing at Fort Behavioral Health to Help with PTSD
Is somatic experiencing the right treatment for you? To find out, set up a time to have a full assessment completed. Our team at Fort Behavioral Health is readily available to help you through this process. You’ll learn about a range of therapies that may support your best outcome and give you back control over your life. Learn more when you call 844.332.1807 or connect with our team now online.
