the capacity to heal: therapy for trauma

In some ways, trauma can be better understood as a response to an event than the event itself. When our brain senses danger, it sends signals to the rest of our body to go into survival mode. If we are not able to process this event completely, the memory of this experience can get “stuck,” and when triggered, our brain and body will react as if the event is happening in the present. As Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris says, this system is incredible for escaping immediate danger like running from a bear. But when sufficient processing does not occur–especially when the event is interpersonal and repetitive–we will continue to respond in the same way to people or situations that trigger that memory. 

When our brain believes that it is constantly in danger, it will continue to do what it needed to do to survive in the past. This is why so many symptoms of trauma go overlooked. Symptoms such as angry outbursts, shutting down, avoidance, hypervigilance, defensiveness, dissociation and substance use are all behaviors that at one point helped us to survive but become maladaptive later in life. 

Lindsey Vargo, LISW-S, a trauma therapist at Wild Hope Therapy in Cleveland, OH, advocates for a deeper understanding of trauma symptoms. “It isn’t about choosing to hold onto the past. It is truly an involuntary response that can be so overwhelming with physical symptoms outside of one’s immediate control,” she says. Lindsey uses a strengths-based approach to treating trauma, and helps clients to amplify their inherent wisdom and skills. Her approach acknowledges that shame and isolation inhibit healing and encourages radical compassion. “I wish we viewed surviving adversity on any scale as the strength that it is, rather than the shame and isolation that often accompany these experiences.”

Lindsey began her career as an advocate, working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking on an on-call basis. She has also worked in substance abuse treatment throughout her career. “I have found that the core of the work also relates back to trauma for many clients especially when approaching the maintenance stage of recovery.” Lindsey focuses her work back to trauma, as it often is the root cause for the behaviors her clients are hoping to change.  

Lindsey primarily utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy for the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy doesn’t remove traumatic memories, but helps the client to stop responding to the memories as if they are happening in the present. EMDR relies on the brain’s ability to heal itself throughout the lifespan by building new neural pathways, also known as neuroplasticity. “I love working within the trauma specialty because of the capacity to heal and the resilience of the clients,” Lindsey says. 

Something else that keeps Lindsey committed to trauma treatment is the belief that everyone is worthy of the chance to heal from their past. “Individuals deserve the opportunity to work through the past and feel empowered in moving forward in their future” she says. “It is inspiring and humbling to witness and I feel very fortunate that so many clients have been vulnerable in allowing me to assist in the journey.”