Stages of Trauma Recovery: A Complete Guide
Trauma recovery is a deeply personal and often complex journey that varies from one individual to another. Despite the variability in personal experiences and specific circumstances, experts have identified stages of healing from trauma that individuals need to work through on the road to recovery.
This guide explores the 5 stages of trauma recovery and we hope it will help you to get from a place of pain to a place of recovery and living your best life.
Keep in mind that trauma recovery is not linear and may involve moving back and forth between stages. But each step, no matter how small, takes you closer to achieving full recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- Trauma recovery is a process that takes you through five important stages that fulfill specific purposes.
- The five phases of trauma recovery; safety and stabilization, remembrance and mourning, self-reconnection, reuniting, integration and resolution, help you to get from a place of pain to peace and strength.
Table of Contents
1. Safety and Stabilization
Safety and stabilization are the first of the trauma recovery stages. This phase forms a critical foundation, as trauma may have left you feeling vulnerable and destabilized. The goal is to create an environment where the person feels physically and emotionally safe. This might include removing oneself from a harmful situation or securing a supportive network.
Mental health professionals may utilize techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and grounding activities to help manage the intense emotions and physical symptoms that might arise, such as anxiety, panic attacks, or flashbacks. A routine and boundaries are also crucial, as they help reinforce a sense of control and predictability.
2. Remembrance and Mourning
Once safety is established, the next stage is processing the trauma, which includes remembering the event and mourning the losses that come with it. Under the compassionate guidance of a professional, you are encouraged to recount your experiences for validation.
Mourning in this context is not just about grieving any physical loss, but also mourning the loss of a sense of security and integrity. It’s about acknowledging the impact of trauma on one’s life and grieving for the pre-trauma self. This phase can be painful and requires considerable emotional energy but it is vital for healing and moving forward.
3. Self-Reconnection
You may come across some experts that combine self-reconnection and reuniting as one stage hence the four stages of trauma recovery as opposed to five. But these two stages are quite distinct as they meet two separate needs.
The self-reconnection stage is about rediscovering who you are apart from the trauma. This involves exploring old and new interests, reconnecting with one’s body through activities like dance or meditation, and re-establishing a sense of self-worth and self-compassion.
This stage often involves a lot of personal reflection. It may include therapy techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or narrative therapy, where individuals rewrite the traumatic narrative and begin to see themselves as survivors rather than victims. The goal is to build a new sense of identity and purpose.
4. Reuniting
Once you have a renewed sense of self, you may also feel more comfortable engaging with others. The reuniting stage focuses on restoring relationships that may have been strained or neglected during the trauma and recovery process. You learn to trust again by opening up to family and friends, and possibly even forming new relationships.
Joining a support group is also crucial at this stage as it provides a platform for sharing experiences and building connections with others who have similar experiences. Reuniting is not just about restoring old connections but also about building new healthy relationships that offer quality support in your journey.
5. Integration and Resolution
The final stage of trauma recovery involves integrating the new sense of self and the lessons learned from the trauma into your life. This doesn’t mean forgetting the trauma but rather acknowledging that it is a part of your life story but it does not define you.
Resolution may come in the form of newfound resilience and a deeper appreciation for life. You develop a sense of acceptance and peace and the ability to look forward to the future with hope. The integration phase also allows you to use your experiences to help others which reinforces your sense of purpose and connection with the world.
Work Through Trauma With Rehabilitative Health Services
Do you need help to get through a difficult phase in your life? Rehabilitative Health Services is here to help. We offer individualized trauma recovery services that meet your specific needs and goals so you can live the present life to its fullest. Schedule a free consultation and let’s get you on a path to recovery.