Being a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility means that the organization's clinical approach, philosophy, and programming prioritize understanding and addressing the impact of traumatic experiences on an individual's mental health and overall well-being. Trauma-focused treatment is based on the understanding that trauma can impact an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and can lead to a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. In a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility, this philosophy applies to every aspect of programming, including assessment, treatment planning, and the delivery of clinical services. The facility's staff are trained to understand the impact of trauma and how it affects an individual's brain, body, and behavior. The treatment team takes a comprehensive approach to treatment, using evidence-based practices and a range of therapeutic modalities to help clients work through their traumatic experiences. Assessment is a critical component of a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility. A thorough assessment includes understanding the client's history of trauma, how it has affected their life, and how it manifests in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A comprehensive assessment helps the treatment team tailor treatment to the client's unique needs and experiences. Treatment planning in a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility is individualized, and the treatment team works collaboratively with the client to develop a plan that addresses their specific goals and needs. The treatment plan may include individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, and other interventions. The team may also collaborate with other healthcare providers and community resources to provide holistic care. In every aspect of programming, trauma-focused mental health treatment facilities prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment for clients. Staff members are trained to understand the impact of trauma on clients and how to provide care that is compassionate, empathetic, and validating. The treatment team works to build trust with clients, helping them feel heard and understood, which is essential to the success of treatment. Trauma-focused mental health treatment facilities also prioritize education and empowerment. Clients are provided with psychoeducation about trauma and how it affects the body and mind. Clients are also taught coping skills and self-regulation techniques that can help them manage the symptoms of trauma-related disorders. These skills can be used throughout their lives, empowering them to continue their healing journey long after treatment has ended. Being a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility means prioritizing the understanding and treatment of trauma as a root cause of mental health issues. It means assessing clients' histories of trauma, developing individualized treatment plans that address their unique needs, providing compassionate and empathetic care, and empowering clients with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their symptoms and continue their healing journey long after treatment has ended. By applying a trauma-focused approach to every aspect of programming, trauma-focused mental health treatment facilities can provide clients with the comprehensive care they need to achieve lasting recovery.
Trauma is a complex phenomenon that refers to any damage inflicted on an individual’s mind, body, and emotions as a result of experiencing a severely distressing event or events. The impact of trauma can be profound and long-lasting, leading to a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that can interfere with an individual’s ability to function effectively. It is worth noting that trauma can manifest in different ways, depending on the type and severity of the traumatic event(s). Recent research has distinguished between two types of trauma: “Big T” and “Small t” trauma, with significant implications for mental health treatment.
“Small t” trauma refers to non-life-threatening events that exceed an individual’s emotional capacity, such as being bullied, called names, or humiliated. These events may also be tied to extremely stressful life events such as starting a new job, divorce, financial trouble, or having a child. While these events may not be as devastating as “Big T” traumas, they can still have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Big T” trauma, on the other hand, refers to significant, devastating, and often isolated incidents that can cause severe psychological distress. These events may include natural disasters, sexual assault, car accidents, robbery, or war. Survivors of “Big T” traumas can experience a range of symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional numbing. Such experiences can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions that require specialized treatment.
As a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility, it is our mission to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that addresses the unique needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. We recognize that trauma can manifest in various ways and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to trauma treatment. Therefore, our programming is designed to be sensitive to the diverse experiences of our clients and to meet them where they are on their healing journey.
Our trauma-focused programming applies to every aspect of our care, from initial assessment to ongoing treatment and aftercare. We believe that a trauma-informed approach is essential to providing quality care, and our staff is trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma and to respond to them appropriately. Our treatment modalities are grounded in evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other trauma-focused therapies that have been shown to be effective in treating trauma-related symptoms.
In addition, we recognize that trauma can impact an individual’s physical health, and our programming includes a range of complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy. Our facility is designed to be a safe and welcoming space that promotes healing and recovery, and we strive to create a culture of safety and support that encourages our clients to share their experiences and connect with others who have had similar experiences.
Being a trauma-focused mental health treatment facility means that we are committed to providing evidence-based care that is sensitive to the unique needs of individuals who have experienced trauma. Our programming applies to every aspect of our care, from assessment to aftercare, and is designed to create a culture of safety and support that promotes healing and recovery. We recognize that trauma can manifest in various ways, and our staff is trained to respond to the diverse experiences of our clients with empathy, understanding, and specialized care.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can result from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While PTSD symptoms may vary from person to person, they typically include reliving the event, avoiding reminders of the event, negative beliefs and feelings, hyperarousal, feelings of shame or despair, depression or anxiety, substance abuse, physical symptoms and chronic pain, work problems, and difficulties in relationships. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, and it is important to seek professional help to address them.
Corner Canyon’s inpatient trauma treatment center provides comprehensive and evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with PTSD. Our highly trained clinicians utilize various research-based therapies to treat PTSD symptoms effectively. Our treatment approach is individualized and tailored to each patient’s specific needs, as we recognize that trauma and its effects are unique to each individual.
We incorporate a range of therapeutic modalities into our treatment programs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). CBT is a type of therapy that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs related to their trauma, while EMDR focuses on processing traumatic memories and reducing associated distress. DBT emphasizes developing skills for regulating emotions and managing distress.
Our inpatient trauma treatment center offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals to work through their trauma and heal from its effects. Our treatment programs also address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders that often accompany PTSD. We prioritize providing trauma-informed care throughout our programming, recognizing that trauma can impact all aspects of an individual’s life.
At Corner Canyon, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care for individuals struggling with PTSD and other mental health conditions. We strive to create an environment that fosters healing, growth, and resilience, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and move forward with confidence.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment that aims to treat trauma by reprocessing distressing memories. Eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation are used during one phase of the therapy. After identifying the memory to target, the therapist asks the client to hold different aspects of that memory in their mind while using their eyes to track the therapist's hand as it moves back and forth across their field of vision. This process is thought to activate the same biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and facilitate the processing of the memory and associated emotions. Successful EMDR therapy results in a transformation of the emotional significance of the painful event. Unlike traditional talk therapy, clients gain insight from their own accelerated intellectual and emotional processes, rather than solely from clinician interpretation. This empowers clients to resolve their trauma and ultimately leads to indicators of emotional health in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a research-supported psychotherapy approach that facilitates rapid recovery by rewiring the brain's storage of traumatic memories and imagery. ART treatment employs memory visualization techniques that are enhanced by horizontal eye movements, as well as memory reconsolidation, a method that integrates new information with existing memories. ART is grounded in various therapeutic frameworks, such as EMDR, Gestalt, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and brief psychodynamic therapy (BPP), and utilizes techniques such as rapid eye movement, exposure, imagery rescripting, and guided imagery. Through these methods, ART clinicians help to restructure how stressful images are processed and stored in the brain, reducing their negative emotional and physical impacts.
Neurofeedback is a cutting-edge therapeutic intervention that is increasingly being utilized in the treatment of trauma. This technique involves monitoring the brain's electrical activity using specialized equipment, and using that information to train the brain to regulate itself more effectively. Neurofeedback is particularly effective in addressing the hyperarousal symptoms commonly associated with trauma, such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance. This is achieved through the use of visual and auditory feedback, which helps the client to learn how to control their own brainwave patterns. By providing the brain with information about its own activity, neurofeedback can help to retrain the neural networks that have become dysregulated as a result of trauma. At our trauma-focused mental health treatment facility, Corner Canyon Health Centers, we utilize neurofeedback as part of our comprehensive treatment approach. Our trained clinicians work with clients to help them understand the underlying mechanisms of their trauma symptoms, and to develop personalized neurofeedback protocols that can help them achieve a greater sense of control over their emotional states. By using neurofeedback in combination with other evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), we aim to provide clients with a holistic, integrated approach to trauma recovery. By addressing the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of trauma, we believe that we can help clients to achieve lasting healing and recovery, and to regain a sense of agency and control over their lives.
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a cutting-edge treatment approach that targets the stellate ganglion, a key part of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for regulating the "Fight or Flight" response to trauma. By administering SGB shots, clinicians can quickly and effectively alleviate PTSD symptoms, enabling clients to engage in other therapeutic modalities and build skills to achieve improved outcomes in trauma residential treatment. Notably, SGB also mitigates long-term symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and impaired daily functioning. While SGB has traditionally been used to treat complex pain symptoms affecting the head, face, neck, and arms, it has shown significant promise in the treatment of PTSD. Administered by a certified medical doctor, typically an anesthesiologist, SGB involves the use of imaging technologies such as X-ray or ultrasound to guide a needle into the nerve tissue near the base of the neck. Once properly positioned, a long-acting anesthetic is then injected to mitigate PTSD symptoms for several weeks, with follow-up shots administered as needed according to the current protocol, which typically involves two shots spaced six weeks apart.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective in treating individuals with a range of mental health concerns, including trauma-related symptoms. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness-based approaches to help clients increase their emotional and cognitive regulation. By enhancing their self-awareness and self-acceptance, clients are better equipped to identify and manage triggers that lead to reactive states, and they learn to apply appropriate coping skills to the sequence of events, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that arise from those triggers. DBT's trauma-focused approach is particularly effective because it targets the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns that often result from traumatic experiences. The treatment can help clients develop a stronger sense of self, learn to manage intense emotions, and reduce negative coping mechanisms that often stem from trauma, such as substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, DBT can help clients develop a more positive and adaptive self-concept, which can improve their overall sense of well-being and resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that targets maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors that may result in addiction, as well as other issues such as depression and anxiety, which are often seen in individuals with a history of trauma. CBT is a goal-oriented, evidence-based, and time-limited therapy that encourages clients to identify and challenge negative beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive distortions that contribute to emotional distress and behavioral difficulties. CBT also focuses on helping clients develop coping skills and strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning. The therapy typically involves homework assignments, self-monitoring, and practicing new skills in real-life situations. The benefits of CBT are long-lasting, as clients learn to apply the skills they have acquired during therapy to new situations and challenges throughout their lives.
Group therapy has been found to be a highly effective modality in the treatment of trauma, particularly in the context of substance abuse. Research has shown that group therapy provides an ideal setting for the exploration of complex and difficult emotions, as well as opportunities for peer support and validation. Moreover, the therapeutic benefits of group therapy extend beyond the treatment of substance abuse and can address a range of co-occurring mental health concerns that often accompany trauma, such as depression and anxiety. By encouraging social engagement and providing a safe space for clients to process their experiences and emotions, group therapy can be instrumental in fostering lasting connections and helping individuals to develop healthy coping skills. Furthermore, group therapy can also help clients to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, which are often key components of successful trauma treatment. Through these interventions, group therapy can support clients in developing greater self-awareness, improving emotional regulation, and building resilience in the face of ongoing stressors.
At Corner Canyon Health Centers, we understand that the journey towards trauma recovery can be daunting, which is why we prioritize creating a safe and welcoming environment for our clients. Our trauma treatment center is designed to provide a sense of security and comfort, so you can feel at ease and focus on your healing.
Our team of highly trained and compassionate professionals is committed to building genuine connections with each of our clients. We understand that effective trauma treatment is not just about the therapy modalities, but also about the relationships that we build. You will feel supported and cared for by our team, who will work closely with you to tailor your treatment plan to your unique needs and goals.
We take a holistic approach to trauma treatment, and our third pillar focuses on helping our clients manage their emotions in healthy and constructive ways. Our therapeutic modalities incorporate skill-building exercises such as assertive communication and emotional regulation techniques. We believe that empowering our clients with these tools and strategies can help them achieve long-term success and build a strong foundation for their recovery.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment approach that specifically addresses the complex needs of individuals and their families struggling with the debilitating effects of trauma. Our skilled clinicians provide a safe, supportive environment to help clients overcome trauma-related symptoms and improve their mental and emotional well-being.
TF-CBT integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques to promote healing and growth. This therapeutic approach is tailored to each client’s unique needs, and may include exposure therapy to gradually confront and process traumatic memories, cognitive restructuring to challenge and replace negative thoughts and beliefs, anxiety management techniques to cope with distressing emotions, and education about PTSD to promote understanding and self-awareness.
Our experienced clinicians utilize a range of techniques to help clients develop the skills and strategies necessary to cope with trauma-related symptoms and build resilience. We understand that healing from trauma is a journey, and we are committed to supporting our clients every step of the way.
At Corner Canyon Health Centers, we understand the debilitating impact that PTSD can have on an individual’s life. To address this, we offer a comprehensive range of trauma treatment modalities that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Our evidence-based approach includes therapies such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Neuro Enhancement Brain Technology, which have proven to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms. In addition, we use SGB shots for rapid relief of PTSD symptoms, experiential therapy, and psychodynamic therapy to ensure that our clients receive a well-rounded and holistic approach to their trauma treatment. Our pre and post outcome studies indicate that clients experience a 51% reduction in trauma symptoms, with significant improvements in mental health, better sleep with a reduction in nightmares, less anxiety and rumination, and a reduced startle reflex. At Corner Canyon, we are committed to helping our clients feel and function better, and ultimately, to rebuilding healthy and happy lives. If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing, please fill out our admissions form and let us help you on your journey to recovery.