Why Is Trauma Therapy So Hard? Understanding the Different Types of Trauma Therapy
Starting trauma therapy can feel frustrating, scary, or exhausting — even when you’re ready to heal. Many people wonder:
“Why do I feel worse after sessions?”
“Why can’t I just move past it?”
Trauma therapy is challenging because it asks your brain and body to process experiences that your nervous system has stored for years — sometimes decades. It’s not a sign of failure; it’s a natural response to deep-seated emotional and physiological patterns.
Unprocessed trauma can make therapy feel difficult in several ways:
Re-experiencing intense emotions or memories
Feeling physically dysregulated or anxious during sessions
Resistance from protective parts of the nervous system
Slow progress due to avoidance or shame
Confusion about which therapy approach will work
Many adults also struggle with internalized messages from their past: “I should be over this,” or “I shouldn’t feel this way.” These thoughts increase guilt, frustration, and avoidance — making trauma therapy feel even harder.
Understanding why trauma therapy feels hard and learning the different types of trauma therapy helps clients navigate the process safely.
1. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Uses guided eye movements or bilateral stimulation to process trauma safely
Helps reduce emotional charge from traumatic memories
Often effective for PTSD, childhood trauma, and attachment wounds
2. ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
Trauma-focused approach using visualization and rescripting techniques
Reduces the emotional impact of past experiences quickly
Keeps clients in control of the process and avoids long retelling of traumatic events
3. Somatic Experiencing
Focuses on body sensations and nervous system regulation
Helps release stored tension, trauma, and dysregulation
Particularly effective for clients with physical responses to trauma
4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Trauma
Focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs
Helps clients develop coping strategies and restructure trauma-related thinking
Effective for trauma-related anxiety, self-doubt, and avoidance behaviors
5. Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Identifies “parts” of self that carry trauma or protective strategies
Helps clients negotiate internal conflicts and integrate experiences
Supports self-compassion and self-trust
Why Therapy Feels Hard
Even the best trauma therapy can feel challenging because:
Your nervous system is learning new safety rules
Old trauma triggers can feel physiologically real
Your mind and body are learning to trust again
The good news: consistent, trauma-informed therapy, along with supportive coping strategies, can help you feel safer, regain control, and rebuild trust — in yourself and your relationships.
Next Steps for Safe Trauma Healing
Work with a licensed therapist trained in trauma-focused therapies
Choose approaches that feel safe for your nervous system
Incorporate somatic regulation (breathing, grounding, polyvagal exercises)
Consider therapy intensives for faster, focused healing in a contained setting
Learn more about ART Intensives here.
Takeaway
Feeling stuck in trauma therapy or wondering which type is best for you?
Schedule a consultation to learn about ART therapy, trauma intensives, and how to safely heal your past trauma.
Schedule a Consultation
Melissa Cribb, MS, LADC, LPCC, is a licensed therapist with over 14 years of experience supporting clients in Osseo, Minnesota. She specializes in trauma, substance use, and high-functioning perfectionism. Melissa integrates evidence-based approaches such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic techniques to help clients reduce anxiety, break unhelpful patterns, and build a stronger sense of emotional safety and self-trust.
At Reflective Pathways, she is dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care—both in person and online—for clients across Minnesota.
You don’t have to keep feeling responsible for everyone’s emotions. Therapy can help you build boundaries, regulate your nervous system, and trust that you’re worthy of love without over-functioning. Learn more about ART Intensives in Minnesota and begin the journey back to yourself.
This service is available to adults located in Osseo, Minnesota, and throughout the greater Twin Cities area.
