Black Sun

    Trauma Theory

    20 theories available

    In-Depth Explanation

    Trauma Theory

    Trauma lives in the body, not just the mind. These approaches explain how overwhelming experiences get stored, why symptoms persist, and how to safely process what happened—whether you're healing from a single event or a lifetime of wounds.

    Trauma Theory

    These are detailed in other sections of the app:

    Mind-Body Release (MBR)

    Somatic approach releasing stored trauma through body awareness and movement

    4.5(8)

    Radical Accountability Theory (RAT)

    Empowerment through personal ownership of healing and life choices

    4.6(7)

    EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

    Bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic memories and reduce distress

    4.7(7)

    Exposure Therapy

    Gradual, controlled confrontation with feared stimuli to reduce anxiety

    4.8(6)

    Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    Healing wounded inner parts while strengthening core Self leadership

    4.7(7)

    Brainspotting

    Focused eye positions to access and process subcortical trauma

    5.0(5)

    Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

    Rapid trauma resolution combining EMDR elements with imagery rescripting

    4.7(6)

    Trauma-Informed Care

    Framework recognizing trauma's impact on behavior and service delivery

    5.0(3)

    Seeking Safety

    Integrated treatment for co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders

    5.0(1)

    Trauma Theories

    Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

    A structured cognitive therapy for PTSD that helps you examine and change unhelpful beliefs about your trauma—reducing symptoms by transforming how you think about what happened.

    5.0(3)

    Somatic Experiencing

    A body-oriented approach to healing trauma that focuses on completing the self-protective responses that were thwarted during traumatic events.

    5.0(2)

    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

    An integrative approach that uses body awareness and movement to process trauma, combining somatic therapy with attachment and cognitive approaches.

    5.0(1)

    STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation)

    A phased treatment that builds emotional and relationship skills before processing trauma—because healing requires a foundation of regulation and connection.

    5.0(2)

    Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

    A short-term treatment for complex trauma that helps you create a coherent life narrative, integrating traumatic experiences into your autobiography.

    5.0(3)

    Dissociation Theory

    Janet's Theory of Dissociation

    Pierre Janet's foundational theory explaining how trauma fragments consciousness—dividing experience into parts that cannot be integrated into unified memory and identity.

    5.0(2)

    Betrayal Trauma Theory

    Jennifer Freyd's theory explaining why victims of abuse by trusted caregivers often have no memory of the abuse—and how "betrayal blindness" serves survival.

    5.0(1)

    Polyvagal Theory

    A neurobiological framework explaining how your nervous system responds to safety and danger—and why understanding your "neuroception" is key to healing trauma.

    5.0(1)

    Window of Tolerance

    Dan Siegel's concept explaining your optimal arousal zone—and how trauma narrows this window, pushing you into hyperarousal or hypoarousal states.

    5.0(4)

    Escape Theory of Dissociation

    How dissociation serves as psychological escape when physical escape is impossible—understanding the mind's internal exit strategy when trapped.

    5.0(1)

    Defense Model of Dissociation

    Understanding dissociation as a psychological defense mechanism—the mind's last line of protection when other defenses can't handle the overwhelm.

    5.0(2)