Treatment Approaches for Trauma and Conflict
Living with traumatic experiences and internal conflicts is often distressing, and can impact how we function in our daily lives. While I believe that we are always coping in the best way we know how, often our coping styles can impact our relationships, and leave us feeling fragmented and disconnected to what matters most in our lives. With effective counselling and therapy, we can break the destructive cycles that these forces hold, and reconnect with a life that is meaningful and full of purpose.
​What therapeutic approaches are used to help with trauma and conflict?
​
Ego State Therapy and Parts Psychology are popular therapeutic intervention strategies that are helpful in the process of resolving a range of presenting issues, particularly inner conflict and internal divisions and repressions resulting from trauma. Through the process of working with various parts of yourself that are best at facilitating change, effective healing may take place.
I use the terms 'ego states' and 'parts' interchangeably, and they refer to those attitudes, beliefs, moods, personas, values, and aspects that make up our personality. (They do not refer to multiple personalities or dissociative states.) Our ego states, or parts, developed in childhood, and are strengthened over time due to repetitive or conditioned responses used to deal with life challenges and/or traumatic events.
In therapy, the focus is to locate the unresolved parts of yourself that seem to come out uncontrollably and reap havoc in your life. These parts are often holding onto pain, trauma, anger, and frustration, and therapy facilitates the process in which these parts may feel a sense of release, comfort, and empowerment through healthy expression. Through this process, parts of yourself that once caused you pain willingly let go of their unhelpful roles, and adapt new, more helpful and effective functions in your life.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are also renowned for their effectiveness in the treatment of trauma and conflict. You may find more information on these therapeutic approaches here: DBT & ACT.

How can you help me?
​
I understand that we may feel vulnerable to come out and ask for support when we are struggling with overwhelming thoughts and feelings due to the experiences of trauma. This is why I focus on building trust within the therapeutic relationship created with clients. Without this trust, it can be challenging for any effective change to take place.

In a non-judgmental, non-coercive environment, you co-create a treament plan that is best suited for your goals. I also offer a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills program to individuals - a mindfulness-based therapy that is designed to treat self-destructive behaviours that may have arisen as a result of trauma and is most effective in conjunction with individual therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP) are other effective treatment approaches for trauma and interpersonal conflict that may be integrated into a therapeutic framework that is tailored uniquely for every individual. I meet you at whatever stage of change you are at and collaborate with you to make effective and realistic goals that meet your individualised needs.​​
Recommended resources:

Parts Psychology by Jay Noricks, PhD
Ego State Therapy by Gordon Emmerson, PhD
​​
The following links have useful resources that cater to understanding of Ego State Therapy and Parts Psychology. Click on the link below for more information: