Therapy helps people learn how to deal with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Cognitive-behavioral and trauma-focused therapy can help to minimize the effects of trauma in an individual’s life and interactions with other people. Therapy also provides strategies for managing feelings and protecting yourself from future stress factors. Here are a few ways to support a loved one through therapy for trauma:
Help Them With Daily Activities
Help your loved one choose foods, buy groceries, and prepare healthy meals to make sure they are well-fed. Clean the living area, do the laundry, or perform any of the other chores. Taking care of their children or pets also helps to ease the workload and let them recover. You can schedule a therapy appointment for them, help them remember when their next appointment is, or even drive them to therapy. Helping with bills and paperwork can assist them financially. You can also encourage them to develop a healthy sleeping pattern to enhance their quality of sleep.
Respect Their Boundaries
Engage your loved one in regular conversations and determine what they want to disclose. Avoid pushing for any information about their therapy for trauma. Do not interfere in their matters or disclose information unless they have agreed to it. You may also want to avoid violating their privacy by going into their room or searching through their possessions without permission. Respect their boundaries and do not bring up topics they find uncomfortable if they do not want to talk about them.
Encourage Self-care Activities
Suggest specific low-impact exercises, such as walking, yoga, or swimming, to help your loved one ease tension. Encourage relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to help in combating anxiety and stress. You can also offer activities such as drawing, painting, listening to music, or writing in a diary as a way of expressing feelings and experiences in a nonverbal fashion. Warm baths are an easy way to relax and de-stress. Encourage your loved one to take time off when they are tired to avoid extreme feelings of fatigue or burnout.
As walking in nature can often be calming for individuals, you can take them on regular outings. Friends or support groups are beneficial in providing examples of shared experiences. Find people who will support and encourage your loved one. Promote the habit of goal setting to help make challenging tasks seem more manageable.
Maintain a Calm and Stable Environment
Organize and declutter their living areas on a regular basis to create a clean and tidy home. Choose calming sources of illumination to create a comfortable atmosphere in your house. Introducing some aspects of nature, such as potted plants or an indoor water fountain, helps bring a sense of calmness. Minimize stressful news or media, and create a peaceful environment with soft music or natural sounds.
Remind About Appointments and Medications
Schedule appointments and medication times on a calendar or app. Offer to assist in scheduling phone alarms or pill organizers. Develop a general daily plan that includes therapy assignments and personal exercises. These steps will help streamline and simplify the recovery process for your loved one.
Celebrate Their Progress
Positive affirmations for therapy progress are also necessary to motivate and encourage the process of trauma healing. Offer sincere compliments for minor achievements and state the positive changes you have observed. Try scheduling exciting trips or events that your loved one likes to do so that they have a positive attitude toward the improvements. Provide meaningful gifts that may be relevant to their treatment process, like diaries, care products, or motivational literature. Wall charts, diaries, and scrapbooks are creative ways to track progress and show how far your loved one has come.
Seek Therapy for Trauma
Trauma can cause a variety of issues in loved ones, including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, and more. Treating these issues is possible with the help of a qualified therapist. If your loved one is seeking help for their mental health, support them in any way you can. Seeking professional therapy for traumatic events gives a person the means to combat these difficulties and improve their lifestyle. Support your family member or friend by offering encouragement and love, and start your search for a reputable therapist today.
