Trauma-Informed Therapy

At Oak Grove Recovery, we believe that true healing is possible for everyone, and it begins in a place of safety and understanding in our therapy programs. Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate approach to care that recognizes the profound impact trauma can have on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” a trauma-informed therapist gently asks, “What happened to you?” This simple shift in perspective is the foundation for creating safety, building trust, and showing deep respect for each person's unique story. 

What is trauma-informed therapy? 

Trauma-informed therapy is a guiding framework that mental and behavioral health professionals use to ensure care is delivered in a way that avoids re-traumatizing individuals during treatment. This approach is especially vital in addiction treatment, as a significant number of people with a substance use disorder have also experienced trauma. 

How it differs from trauma-focused care 

Trauma-informed care is a universal approach that recognizes how past trauma can shape a person's present-day life. It is built on creating an environment of safety, respect, and empowerment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this approach is guided by six key principles: 

• Safety 
• Trustworthiness and transparency 
• Peer support 
• Collaboration and mutuality 
• Empowerment, voice, and choice 
• Cultural, historical, and gender issues 

While it is related, trauma-informed care is different from trauma-focused therapy. Trauma-focused therapy directly addresses the traumatic event itself through specific therapeutic techniques. A trauma-informed approach, on the other hand, does not always need to discuss the trauma directly. Instead, therapists use non-triggering methods and a deep understanding of trauma's effects to help individuals make meaningful progress in their recovery journey. 

Who we help 

A trauma-informed approach can support anyone who has lived through overwhelming or painful life events. At Oak Grove Recovery, we apply trauma-informed principles in our care for every client, understanding that many are living with the effects of past experiences, including: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This can develop after experiencing or witnessing events like violence, serious accidents, or combat. Symptoms often include flashbacks, nightmares, and feeling constantly on edge. 
• Complex trauma: Resulting from repeated or long-term trauma, such as childhood abuse or domestic violence, this can leave deep emotional wounds. 
• Childhood trauma: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to lasting struggles with trust, feeling safe, and developing healthy coping skills. 
• Survivors of abuse: Whether the abuse was physical, sexual, or emotional, a trauma-informed approach validates a survivor’s experience, helps rebuild a sense of safety, and fosters empowerment. 
• Grief and traumatic loss: Losing a loved one suddenly or violently can create a painful combination of trauma and grief that requires gentle, specialized care. 

While we do offer programs exclusively for trauma therapy, we are dedicated to helping people of all backgrounds heal from their struggles with drugs and alcohol. Our licensed professionals are equipped to provide specialized treatment for many co-occurring disorders. We invite you to speak with our admissions team to find the program that best supports your path to recovery. 

The Oak Grove Recovery approach to trauma-informed care

Our approach is deeply rooted in compassion and empowerment. From your very first phone call with our caring team to your therapy sessions during treatment, we prioritize your dignity, safety, and well-being. The team at Oak Grove uses the six guiding principles of trauma-informed therapy to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. 

• Safety: Our therapy spaces in Westerville are designed to be calm, confidential, and supportive, so you always feel secure. 
• Trust: Our therapists are consistent, transparent, and dedicated to following through on their word, building a foundation of trust. 
• Choice: You are in control of your journey. You set the pace and decide what you are comfortable sharing and when. 
• Collaboration: We see healing as a partnership. You and your therapist work together as equals to achieve your goals. 
• Empowerment: Our sessions are designed to highlight your inherent strengths and resilience, reminding you of your capacity to heal. 
• Cultural Humility: We honor your unique background, identity, and values with genuine respect and an open heart. 

Evidence-based therapies we offer 

At Oak Grove Recovery, we utilize a range of evidence-based talk therapies. When delivered through our trauma-informed lens, these methods help our clients heal and make sustainable progress in a way that feels safe and supportive. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. By focusing on practical coping strategies, CBT empowers you to manage challenges more effectively and improve your emotional well-being. 

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 

Dialectical behavior therapy provides powerful tools to regulate emotions, improve relationships, and navigate distress. With a focus on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT supports profound personal growth and resilience. 

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) 

EMDR is a highly effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By targeting specific memories and using bilateral stimulation (touching both sides of your head or body), EMDR helps the brain process traumatic experiences in a healthier way, reducing symptoms and promoting healing. 

Motivational interviewing (MI) 

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative and empathetic approach that helps individuals resolve ambivalence and build their own internal motivation for change. It is particularly effective in supporting you as you work toward personal goals and overcome challenges. 

Integrated support for co-occurring concerns 

Trauma and addiction are often deeply intertwined. That is why Oak Grove Recovery offers integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, combining our trauma-informed therapies with expert addiction care and mental health support. 

• ADHD: ADHD can make it difficult to focus, manage impulses, or regulate emotions, which can sometimes lead to using substances as a way to cope. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and develop healthier strategies for handling life’s challenges, reducing the risk of relapse. 
• Anxiety: Living with anxiety can feel overwhelming, and it’s understandable why some turn to substances for relief. Therapy gives you the tools to ease anxiety, build resilience, and address the connection between worry and addiction in a safe space. 
• Bipolar disorder: The intense episodes of bipolar disorder can make substances feel like a temporary solution for managing emotional highs and lows. Therapy helps you focus on achieving stability, developing healthy coping skills, and breaking the link between mood shifts and substance use. 
• Depression: Depression can make everything feel heavy, and substances might seem like a way to numb the pain. Therapy helps you process your emotions, rebuild motivation, and replace harmful habits with healthier ones, empowering you to break free. 
• Personality disorders: Personality disorders can make it challenging to form lasting relationships and cope with intense emotions. Therapy can help you understand your symptoms, develop effective coping strategies, and improve relationships with loved ones. 
• PTSD: Traumatic events can have long-lasting impacts on mental health. Therapy can help you process and heal from the trauma, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and improve overall well-being. 
• Schizophrenia and psychosis: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders can make it difficult to distinguish between reality and hallucinations or delusions. Therapy can help manage symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance relationships. 

Your first sessions 

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but we are here to guide you with care and compassion. 

Exploring your history gently 

Your therapist will create a safe and supportive space to understand your experiences and current challenges. You will also engage in psychoeducation—learning how trauma can impact the brain and body—which can help you make sense of your reactions and reduce any feelings of self-blame. 

Gaining insight into triggers and responses 

Together, you and your therapist will gently explore how your nervous system responds to certain situations. This includes understanding your triggers and recognizing feelings of detachment or "zoning out," all while building self-awareness without judgment. 

Developing tools for safety and stability 

Before diving into deeper challenges, we focus on practical strategies to support your well-being. You will learn techniques like grounding exercises, breathwork, and emotional regulation to help you feel more stable and in control in your daily life.