Lifespan Integration Therapy
In my forthcoming memoir, I include some brief information about a type of trauma therapy that was particularly effective for me – Lifespan Integration Therapy. Lifespan Integration Therapy is based in neuroscience and uses a timeline to integrate traumatic experiences to build a more stable and coherent sense of self. The client makes movies or visualizations as the timeline is read, however, the traumatic experiences are not discussed in depth or processed as in traditional talk therapies, making it a gentle approach. In my research I found that complex trauma is actually a disorder of memory. I describe my experiences, along with the emotions they generated as “free floating.” Whenever I encountered situations that triggered those free floating emotions and memories, I was unable to regulate my responses. The greater the past trauma, the more over the top my reactions were in the current situation. Integrating my memories into a cohesive chronological order helped me to anchor them in time and they no longer triggered me in ways that sabotaged my relationships.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
I had previously undergone another type of therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, that wasn’t effective for me. Despite multiple attempts over the years, my symptoms persisted. (See the post under the “Latest Articles” section titled: June is Complex PTSD Awareness Month for a description of common symptoms of Complex PTSD). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the traditional “talk therapy” we think about when we picture someone undergoing therapy. This type of therapy focuses on current problems, rather than addressing issues from the past. There is a variation of CBT- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that does address traumatic experiences. Unlike Lifespan Integration Therapy, in TF-CBT traumatic experiences are recounted and discussed. This can be difficult for those who are not ready or able to engage in deep discussion of traumatic experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a very well-researched type of therapy that has been proven to be effective with those who suffer from complex trauma. In EMDR, the therapist assists the client in focusing on a specific troubling memory or image while at the same time guiding them to focus on eye movements, hand tapping, or audio tones. As with many of the new brain based therapies, EMDR focuses on reprocessing traumatic memories, not in discussing the details of the traumatic event. As with other therapies, clients need to be committed to the process, willing to undergo some discomfort, and be patient with the process.
These are only a few examples of therapies used to treat Complex PTSD. Most therapists use a range of approaches tailored to their clients’ specific needs. The most important takeaway is to find a therapy and a therapist that works for the individual.
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