Trauma doesn’t have to define your story. Let’s start working through it together.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy helps people process painful experiences that continue to affect their emotions, relationships, behaviors, and daily life. Many individuals struggling with addiction have also experienced trauma, whether from childhood experiences, abuse, loss, violence, accidents, toxic relationships, or other overwhelming events. When trauma goes untreated, it can increase feelings of anxiety, fear, emotional numbness, shame, isolation, and substance use.
Our trauma-informed approach focuses on helping individuals better understand how trauma impacts the mind and body while building healthier coping skills for long-term healing. Treatment may include evidence-based therapies, mindfulness techniques, and stress management strategies.
Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
- Intrusive thoughts. Unwanted memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event.
- Emotional numbness. Difficulty feeling emotions or detachment from yourself or others.
- Avoidance. Steering clear of reminders of the trauma.
- Hyperarousal. Heightened sensitivity, including being easily startled or sleep issues.
- Mood swings. Rapid emotional changes, such as anger or anxiety.
- Physical symptoms. Unexplained issues like headaches or chronic pain.
- Difficulty concentrating. Trouble focusing or making decisions.
- Behavior changes. Engaging in risky behaviors or withdrawing socially.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy
- Healing from trauma. Process and understand traumatic experiences, reducing the emotional pain tied to them.
- Improved coping skills. Practical strategies to manage triggers and difficult emotions.
- Emotional regulation. Better control over emotions, especially alongside co-occurring anxiety or depression.
- Relapse prevention. Tools to handle cravings and avoid situations that might lead to relapse.
- Increased confidence. Building self-esteem as you work through trauma.
What the Research Shows
Around 36% of Massachusetts youth ages 0-17 experienced at least one form of trauma, abuse, or significant stress in the past year, and nearly 14% experienced multiple traumas. Globally, an estimated 70% of people will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime, though only about 5.6% go on to develop PTSD, and more than two-thirds of children report at least one traumatic event by age 16. Among those diagnosed with PTSD, around 37% are classified as having severe symptoms.
Uncovering the Roots of Your Trauma
Trauma-focused therapy works because it has the capacity to uncover, and help make sense of, traumatic experiences from the near or distant past. Common sources of trauma we work with include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, domestic violence, childhood neglect, the death of a parent or child, combat-related PTSD, natural disasters, and surviving a serious accident. Trauma affects physical well-being as well as mental state, and can show up as neurological symptoms, disrupted sleep, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular strain, muscular and skeletal pain, or respiratory problems.
Mental Health Services for Trauma at GBAC
- Group therapy. A safe space to share experiences and heal through community support.
- Family therapy. Helping loved ones understand trauma’s impact and provide affirming support.
- Psychiatry and medication management. Personalized medication management when it’s part of the plan.
- CBT. Evidence-based techniques to recognize and reshape trauma-driven negative thought patterns.
- DBT. A focus on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- EMDR. Processing and resolving past trauma through bilateral stimulation.
What’s the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?
Trauma is the emotional response that follows a distressing event, shock, fear, or helplessness are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. PTSD is a condition that can develop after trauma, where symptoms last longer and interfere with daily life: flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal. Our programs are designed to help you process traumatic experiences and work through PTSD symptoms, whichever stage you’re at.
Where Trauma Therapy Fits Into Treatment
Trauma therapy is integrated into our day treatment (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP), and continues into aftercare support once a formal program ends.
Does Insurance Cover Trauma Therapy?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We work with most major insurers and verify your benefits for free; checking doesn’t commit you to treatment.
What the Admission Process Looks Like
It starts with an initial consultation covering your emotional and behavioral needs and goals, which shapes a personalized treatment plan. From there, our admissions team handles the paperwork and coordinates with your insurance provider, including medication management if that’s part of your care.
Finding Trauma Therapy Near Boston
We’re located at 322 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA 02494, serving Dedham, Boston, Newton, Wellesley, and surrounding communities. Call (877) 920-6583, or verify your insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
What is trauma therapy, and how does it support recovery?
It helps you process painful past experiences, abuse, loss, violence, accidents, or other overwhelming events, that continue to affect your emotions and behavior, including substance use, in a safe, paced, and clinically supported way.
Can trauma therapy treat PTSD and addiction together?
Yes. Trauma and substance use often reinforce each other, so our trauma-informed approaches, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR, are integrated with addiction treatment rather than handled separately.
Do people from Newton and Wellesley come to GBAC for trauma therapy?
Yes. We're based in Needham, MA, and see clients from across the area, including Newton, Wellesley, Dedham, and Boston.
How is trauma therapy different from general counseling?
General counseling can address a wide range of concerns. Trauma therapy specifically targets how a distressing experience is still affecting your nervous system, thoughts, and behavior, using approaches built for that, like EMDR and trauma-focused CBT.
Is trauma therapy covered by insurance in Massachusetts?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything.