PTG is a psychological theory that suggests people are capable of undergoing transformational changes as part of trauma recovery. While PTG encompasses many factors, such as internalizing new possibilities and realizing personal strength, the goal of this journey is to help the individual develop a new understanding of themselves, the world, and other people. For post-traumatic growth, counseling for PTSD is key.
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The Experience of Trauma
Trauma is a complicated psychological issue. People who experience trauma tend to experience sleep disturbances, nightmares, irritability, and anxiety. Many trauma survivors will have flashbacks and may spend significant time avoiding triggers that remind them of traumatic events. Trauma survivors need to seek help from counselors or support groups to develop better coping tools.
The Journey to Post-Traumatic Growth
The journey to PTG must start with the individual’s desire to cope better, which is followed by substantial personal growth to develop better cognitive tools for coping. For many trauma survivors, PTG is both hope for the future and ongoing practice to cope with traumatic experiences while still meeting functional needs each day.
The journey to PTG is a lengthy process that will involve several stages, including education, challenging beliefs, narrative development, emotional regulation, and service that benefits others. Through this process, trauma survivors will have more faith in their personal strengths, more hope for new possibilities, improved interpersonal relationships, and a new appreciation for life. Therapy is an important tool on this journey, since a counselor can help challenge negative thoughts that impair personal growth.
Finding Meaning and Purpose After Trauma
Finding new meaning and purpose after trauma is only possible after the trauma has been addressed and the individual is on the road to healing. However, trauma survivors may be more likely to find new meaning in life when their trauma response is proactive or when their trauma healing changes their mindset. Many survivors use positive energy such as activism related to their traumatic experiences, to find new purpose after trauma.
Developing Resilience
PTG is more than simple resilience, specifically because resilience implies trauma did not affect the individual on a deep enough level to restructure the individual’s worldview for any significant length of time. A resilient individual will be able to recover more easily after trauma, while an individual who is less resilient may struggle more – but it is this struggle that increases the likelihood of PTG.
People who are more likely to experience personal growth after trauma are those who score high on personality traits such as openness to experience and extraversion. Therapy can help individuals build resilience by dismantling the negative cognitive processing habits that develop after traumatic experiences.
Hope and Healing: Counseling for PTSD
The journey to PTG involves seeking counseling for PTSD to work through trauma. Cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and cognitive therapy are all highly recommended for individuals diagnosed with PTSD. If a trauma survivor is caught in the web of trauma and this trauma is affecting the health of their marital relationship, they may want to contact the Marriage Counselor for relationship guidance.
Strategies for cultivating hope include achieving realistic goals, as studies show hopeful people are proactive and adaptable. Strategies for cultivating hope may also involve spending more time on positive emotions and less time on sad information or negative rumination. Support from a community can also help people build trust and hope.
Trauma can have a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life, especially in terms of healthy coping mechanisms and the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. However, many people can experience substantial personal growth after trauma. As part of post-traumatic growth, counseling for PTSD can be a crucial tool on the road to trauma recovery and healing.
