Trauma Integration Techniques

By Leona Kashersky Psy.D.

©️5/3/2023

Education is an important aspect of therapy that helps individuals understand the workings of their inner life and emotions. It is the process of educating individuals about mental health and the strategies that can be used to manage mental health concerns. In this article, we will focus on the importance of psychoeducation in the context of trauma integration.

Most people need foundational inner-child/ego state work prior to the exposure done imaginally to support the integration process. This is where guided imagery comes into play. It helps individuals differentiate between past and present experiences, creating a clear awareness that the traumatic memories we have are not happening in our current adult state. This process facilitates the integration of childhood experiences into a safe and secure adult state.

Preparation for a trauma integration session is important. Journaling experiences and tracking situations that trigger you can help identify negative core beliefs. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Ego State Therapy can then be used to clear and soften old wounds from childhood trauma. Journaling also provides an opportunity to identify adaptive replacement beliefs that can be used to change negative core beliefs.

It's important to keep both negative and adaptive belief statements brief and simple for ease of integration. The goal is to work on integrating trauma experiences into adaptive experiences using our imagination and meditative states of awareness. 

By understanding the importance of psychoeducation and utilizing techniques such as guided imagery, EMDR, and ego state therapy, individuals can begin to integrate their traumatic experiences into a healthier and more adaptive narrative. It's important to remember that mental health concerns are not a sign of weakness, and seeking therapy is a positive step towards healing and growth.

Let's raise awareness about the benefits of psychoeducation and mental health therapy by using hashtags such as #PsychoEducation #InnerChildWork #EgoStateTherapy #EMDR #TraumaIntegration #GuidedImagery #CoreBeliefs #AdaptiveReplacementBeliefs #Journaling #MentalHealthAwareness. Together, we can create a more supportive and empathetic society.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing 

Shapiro, F. (2007). EMDR, adaptive information processing, and case conceptualization. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1, 68–87.

Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols and procedures. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Ego State Therapy 

Eitan, A., & Torem, M. S. (2018). The roots and evolution of ego-state theory and therapy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 66(4), 353–370.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2018.1494435

Sandone-Barr, A. (2008). Caroline and Gold: The study of a fragmented ego. Modern Psychoanalysis, 33(1), 67–90.

Christensen, C., Barabasz, A., & Barabasz, M. (2013). Efficacy of abreactive ego state therapy for PTSD: Trauma resolution, depression, and anxiety. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(1), 20–37.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2013.729386

Emmerson, G. (2013). Ego state conditions. Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis, 35(1), 5+.

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A370888277/HRCA?u=anon~efe96eae&sid=googleScholar&xid=190ebb99

Segrist, D. J. (2009). What’s going on in your professor’s head? Demonstrating the id, ego, and superego. Teaching of Psychology, 36(1), 51–54.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00986280802529285

Watkins, H. H. (2003). Ego-state therapy: An overview. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 35(4), 232–240.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.1993.10403014