To aid trauma recovery, what should therapists encourage survivors to do?

Encouraging trauma survivors to confront aspects of the trauma safely is essential for healing. This approach allows individuals to process their experiences in a controlled environment, gradually reducing the intensity of their emotional responses. Safe confrontation can involve discussing the traumatic event, exploring feelings associated with it, and developing coping strategies to manage distress.

This process can help survivors integrate the traumatic experience into their broader life narrative, diminishing feelings of powerlessness and facilitating a sense of empowerment. Engaging with the trauma in a supportive setting can lead to decreased anxiety and avoidance behaviors, helping survivors reclaim their lives and reduce the impact of trauma on their daily functioning.

On the other hand, isolating from memories, ignoring physical symptoms, or avoiding conversations about the experience can lead to prolonged distress and hinder recovery. These approaches may prevent survivors from fully processing their trauma, making it more difficult to heal and move forward.