Trauma Based Therapy QUESTIONS

Picture a location that brings you joy and tranquility.

This place might exist in reality or only in your imagination.

You might long to visit it, or it could be a cherished memory.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself there right now.

Write your responses in your notes.

Describe your sensory experiences in this serene place.

• My happy place is…

• These are the things I can feel there…

• These are the things I can see there…

• These are the things I can smell there…

• These are the sounds I can hear…

• This is what I can taste there…

What is trauma-based therapy?

Trauma can be defined as a profound and distressing reaction to a severe event that threatens one's physical, emotional, or mental well-being.

It often leads to both immediate and enduring effects.

Trauma-based therapy addresses these impacts, teaching individuals how to manage the associated emotions, painful thoughts, and memories to foster a healthier life.

These questions assist those dealing with trauma by encouraging them to envision a serene and joyful place.

This mental exercise aims to counteract the negative, intrusive thoughts and emotions linked to their trauma.

By engaging the senses in this visualization, one can create a positive association, promoting feelings of calm and peace.

Who can benefit from Trauma Based Therapy Questions?

These questions are used during individual or group therapy sessions.

Identify a place—either real or imagined—that evokes happiness or a sense of calm.

One can be encouraged to vividly picture themselves in this place.

Write sensory experiences related to this visualization and reflect.

Johnson, D.R. & Lubin, H. (2016). Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.