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Why doesn't traditional talk therapy work for trauma—and what actually does? In this episode, I break down the most effective, evidence-based approaches for trauma recovery, explain why bottom-up methods are often more powerful than top-down approaches, and help you understand what to look for when choosing trauma counselling that fits your unique needs.

What You'll Learn

• Why traditional talk therapy isn't effective for trauma—and the six key reasons it falls short
• The difference between top-down approaches (like Prolonged Exposure Therapy) and bottom-up approaches (somatic work, EMDR, parts work)
• How to identify if you've experienced trauma through common symptoms: nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, dissociation, fragmentation, and more
• The benefits and limitations of somatic approaches like Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy—and why pacing matters when reconnecting with your body
• Why parts work (including Internal Family Systems and inner child work) is essential for complex trauma—and how it supports emotional regulation, empowerment, and wholeness
• How EMDR integrates traumatic memories efficiently—but why it needs proper preparation and should be combined with other modalities
• Why an integrative approach that combines multiple evidence-based methods is considered best practice for trauma counselling
• Questions to ask mental health professionals about their treatment approach to ensure they're using trauma-informed, holistic methods

Who This Is For
This episode is for adults seeking trauma treatment who want to understand the different evidence-based approaches available and make informed choices about their healing journey. It's especially helpful for anyone who's tried traditional talk therapy without success, feels confused by the many treatment options, or wants to know what effective trauma counselling should actually include—whether you're healing from childhood trauma in adulthood, complex trauma, PTSD, or other traumatic experiences.

Curious to learn more about trauma and recovery? Here are some additional resources:

• Healing trauma: A step-by-step guide to reclaiming your life: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/healing-trauma/
• How to recover from complex trauma (Podcast episode): https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/how-to-recover-from-complex-trauma/
• Healing journeys for adults with childhood trauma: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/adults-with-childhood-trauma/

If you’d like to explore more, here are some ways to connect:

• Discover more about my work: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
• Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
• Send me a message: [email protected]

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of my work.