The Kelly Healing Project

Understanding Therapy Types for Trauma & PTSD — Finding What Actually Helps You Heal


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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what kind of therapy you’re “supposed” to do, you’re not alone—because I’ve been there too.

In this solo episode, I share what I’ve learned about the different therapy types used to heal trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD, and why not every approach works for every nervous system. I talk about why traditional talk therapy didn’t always help me, and how understanding trauma from a brain-and-body perspective completely changed the way I approached healing.

In this episode, I talk about:

  • How I learned the difference between mind-based (top-down) and body-based (bottom-up) trauma therapies
  • What EMDR actually does and why it can feel safer than retelling your entire story
  • How Internal Family Systems (IFS) helped me understand my inner critic and wounded inner child
  • Why somatic and body-based therapies were essential for my anxiety, freeze response, and nervous system regulation
  • When CBT or exposure therapy can be helpful—and when they felt too intense for me
  • How I started listening to my nervous system instead of forcing myself into healing methods that didn’t feel right

I recorded this episode for anyone who feels stuck, confused, or discouraged in their healing journey—especially if you’re healing from childhood trauma, emotional neglect, people-pleasing, or chronic hypervigilance.

I believe healing doesn’t come from pushing harder. It comes from feeling safe enough to soften. And choosing the right kind of therapy made all the difference for me.

If this episode resonates, I hope it reminds you that there is nothing wrong with you—and that healing is allowed to look different for everyone.

✨ You don’t need to force healing. You get to choose what supports your nervous system.

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The Kelly Healing ProjectBy Kelly