#Signs of rape trauma how to

If you don’t have the ability to cope with the emotions and thoughts that may be triggered by “re-living” the experience in therapy, you should not venture down that road. You also want to pair therapy with effective coping skills.

What to do: It is important to take your time in exploring historical details.

PTSD symptoms or other negative reactions to the trauma can also occur after the therapy session. Intrusive symptoms are “intrusive” because they occur at a time when the person least expects it. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosis often given to victims of trauma who struggle with flashbacks, night terrors, or other intrusive symptoms such as intrusive ruminating thoughts. Any reminder(s) of the event can lead to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts/ideation, internalized anger and resentment, and a host of other symptoms and negative behaviors.

Struggling with historical data: Someone who has experienced trauma first hand will most likely struggle with re-visiting the event(s) in therapy.

Signs that a person has not healed from their trauma includes but is not limited to:

#Signs of rape trauma how to

I have included some of these barriers below with tips on how to move on and grow from the experience. These barriers prolong the process of post-traumatic growth. Sadly, there are often barriers to moving past and healing from trauma. Homework is also a helpful tool for encouraging post-traumatic growth (*see video below).

Therapeutic homework is supplemental between sessions. When I recognize that my client is not done exploring atopic discussed in therapy, remains emotional about something, or is struggling in some other way, I assign therapeutic homework. One of the many “tools” I have come to appreciate when working with trauma victims who feel stuck is therapeutic homework.