Man, let’s not live lives trapped by the past painful experiences of betrayal trauma, regret, guilt, and shame. We don’t have to continue pushing our pain down and being numb in life. It’s time to reconnect your mind and body so that you can live the life that you desire. This blog post will explore the topic of how a trauma therapist near Elkhorn, WI helps men heal.
Men and the Hidden Burden of Trauma
Trauma can mean many different things to many different people. From first responders on the front lines of our community to people witnessing horrific events. For others, it can be nursing professionals on the front lines of a pandemic or emergency room situations. It can be the pain of infidelity in a relationship harbored deep inside. Men don’t always talk about these things. They can look great on the outside; however, internally, they are dwindling.
This is why it’s so important to understand trauma in men. Traumatic experiences can include overwhelming situations of fear, sexual abuse, or a lot of little t traumas pushed together throughout somebody’s life. Trauma could be bullying in high school, being rejected from many different job opportunities, or feeling less than others around you. Now that we’ve covered what may cause trauma, we can discuss how it may show up in a man’s life
Men may choose, consciously or unconsciously, different ways to express how they’re struggling. This could be self-sabotaging behavior, addiction, internalization of problems, denial, rationalization, or silence. Most of these are okay to some degree. But, we’re looking at avoidance, escape from stressors, and almost a collapse from being inadequate to resolve issues as targets in therapy. However, when these defense skills, noted above, become the catch all for all problems in life, that becomes an issue. We can only push off internal pain and discomfort for so long.
The Role of a Trauma Therapist Near You
This is where a trauma therapist is needed. Trauma therapies are different than talk therapy. Trauma therapy starts with the body and nervous system regulation. By focusing on this, we’re able to create space and an inner sense of calm that allows the body and the mind to heal from past traumatic experiences. Compared to talk therapies, which usually only talk about issues, problem solve, or try to shape thought patterns in healthy ways. Trauma therapy needs to go deeper than talk therapy. Talk is typically not enough to alter the body and the nervous system to release and integrate past traumatic or overwhelming situations.
Two forms of bottom-up trauma therapy that I provide a Revitalize Mental Health include Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) therapy as well as somatic experiencing therapy. EMDR therapy helps to reignite the body’s ability to heal through bilateral stimulation. This is most commonly observed as side-to-side eye movements or tapping on the shoulders. By doing this were able to process and integrate past painful memories, thoughts, emotions, and allow for a more adaptive belief to be instilled.
Somatic experiencing therapy works by noticing, tracking, and naming subtle shifts within the body to allow for the integration of past incomplete responses stored in the body. Somatic therapy works to complete uncompleted trauma responses. For example, you’re in a car accident, but cannot push the door open to get away. Your body then stores that energy you needed to push, even though you couldn’t. Thus, that stored energy from the experience of trauma may lead to restlessness, agitation, or even uncontrollable anger down the road. Through somatic experiencing therapy, we can complete these incomplete responses and allow that energy to discharge so that it no longer ruins your life.
How Therapy Can Help Men Heal
Depending on the man and his unique experience with trauma and overwhelming situations healing will look different. For some, a male trauma therapist near Elkhorn, Wisconsin can help them reconnect with emotions that have been numbed out. For other men, this therapy can help them undo and release some of the stress and muscle tension that has been held on to for years. Depending on the man, we will be able to integrate and process your past challenging experiences so that you can trust other people in your life. A male trauma therapist in southern Wisconsin will be able to help you reconnect with life and unleash your potential.
Why Elkhorn, WI Is a Supportive Place for Healing
It’s no surprise that Southern Wisconsin has many different forms of beauty. From Lake Michigan to Lake Geneva to some of the rolling farmland. Nature is a great place to allow for slowness, space, and healing to take place. I encourage you to find those places where you can slow down and just be. Take a break from the fast-paced day-to-day need-to-dos. This slowness can greatly support the healing of the body and nervous system.
Taking the First Step
If you’re a man and you want to start healing from trauma or change your life in Walworth County, Wisconsin, it’s time to reach out. I’m currently accepting virtual trauma therapy clients as well as in-person therapy clients at my Kenosha, Wisconsin, office location.
If you would like to learn more about how trauma therapy could benefit you, please call 720.295.6703 or submit a form by following this link here. I greatly look forward to hearing from you.
By: Daniel Gospodarek LCSW, EMDR Certified
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