Here’s 3 Reasons why Therapy isn’t enough when trying to heal from your Trauma

Here’s a question I’ve been asked a lot about Trauma-Informed Yoga: I get therapy, I see the benefits, but why would I need something ELSE to add on to my treatment?

Let’s explore why for some, talking therapy isn’t enough. Please note I am in no way saying don’t do therapy! It is vital to healing.

Based on the latest research on Trauma & personal feedback I’ve received from clients, these are some reasons that we cite for not doing therapy.

-Sometimes, you can’t always find the words to express how you feel. This is natural when we’re trying to process something. Studies have shown that when we experience trauma, the neural pathways in our brain can disconnect, making it hard to verbalise. Without knowing how to rebuild those neural pathways somatically, we won’t be able to override the body’s learned trauma responses. We can’t get into healing mode if our body doesn’t feel safety first. Trauma-informed Yoga can really help with that.

- You may be in some form of therapy or counselling already, but you don’t see your physical symptoms improving. In other words, maybe your talking therapy is helping, but the visceral symptoms won’t go. Things like digestive problems, appetite issues, trouble sleeping, extreme fatigue, chronic pain… a lot of these problems are issues that a therapist can empathise with but it may not be in their skill set to help. Yoga & its sister science Āyurveda are by no means one & done cures on their own, but they can certainly aid with these VERY real health problems that are associated with our mental state.

-Maybe you really appreciate your therapist’s support, but you can’t shake the feelings of loneliness. I’ve heard it described as a feeling that no one else really ‘gets it’. With that, perhaps you’re grappling with the recognition that you’re paying your therapist TO get it, which may not be the same thing as someone understanding what you’re going through on their own. This is one I really resonate with. We are naturally social beings and so feeling isolated from others of course adds a double whammy when you’re already struggling.
One of Yoga’s underlying principles is Sangha. Finding purpose, support and strength from a support network is that missing piece that many don't realise. Trauma-Informed Yoga, especially in small groups, really helps with this.

So, whether it’s because the words don’t seem to come, your physical symptoms don’t budge or you can’t help feeling isolated, Talking Therapy does have its downsides. This is where a somatic approach like Trauma-Informed Yoga can be so beneficial. TIY can help with an embodied release of emotions. It can help decrease or relieve some of the visceral problems that come with a dysregulated nervous system and it can really help alleviate loneliness, especially when done in small groups.

Do consider getting in touch if this resonates with you for a free, no-obligation chat.