Trauma Work for Individuals Utilizing Evidence-Based Practices: Healing Is Possible

Understanding Trauma and the Path to Healing

Traumatic experiences leave deep imprints on the mind and body. Whether from childhood neglect, abuse, loss, violence, or accidents, trauma can alter the way our brains function, triggering symptoms such as anxiety, dissociation, hypervigilance, nightmares, and emotional numbness. It’s not uncommon to feel hopeless, broken, or stuck.

But here’s the truth I want every client to know: healing is just as powerful as trauma.

At Silver Lake Counseling, I use evidence-based trauma therapies that allow you to gently process your past while rebuilding a sense of safety, stability, and self-trust.

What Are Evidence-Based Practices in Trauma Therapy?

“Evidence-based” means these therapeutic methods are grounded in scientific research and clinical success. They're not one-size-fits-all—they’re adaptable and personalized.

Here are the core therapies I use in trauma treatment:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR is one of the most recognized treatments for trauma and PTSD. Using bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps the brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or triggering.

Why it works: EMDR allows traumatic memories to be “unstuck” from the nervous system and re-integrated in a safe, less distressing way.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

CBT helps you identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, realistic ones. When trauma changes how you view yourself, others, and the world, CBT helps challenge and restructure those beliefs.

CBT is effective for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related distortions like guilt, shame, or catastrophizing.

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

DBT is especially helpful if you struggle with emotional regulation, self-harm urges, or relationship difficulties as a result of trauma. It teaches skills in four key areas:

• Mindfulness

• Emotional Regulation

• Distress Tolerance

• Interpersonal Effectiveness

Expressive Arts & Mindfulness Practices

Not all healing comes from words. Art, journaling, movement, and guided imagery can bypass the analytical brain and tap into deeper levels of healing. I use creative techniques and mindfulness-based strategies to help you feel grounded and empowered.

Why Trauma Therapy Matters Now

Trauma doesn’t go away with time—it waits. And when we don’t address it, it can show up in our bodies, relationships, work, and even our sleep.

But when we start trauma therapy, we create space to:

• Feel safe in our own skin again

• Understand and release painful emotions

• Improve relationships with ourselves and others

• Build coping skills that support long-term wellness

You don’t have to do this alone. I'm here to walk with you, at your pace, using methods that support both safety and growth.

Final Thoughts

Trauma-informed care is not about “fixing” you—because you are not broken. It’s about helping you reclaim parts of yourself that have been buried by pain and reconnecting with the strength that’s already inside you.

At Silver Lake Counseling in Fenton, MI, I create a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where true healing is possible.