Trauma Therapies at The Fullbrook Center
Healing at the Root: Why We Focus on Trauma in Addiction Treatment
For many women, addiction is not just about substances—it is about survival. It is about numbing pain, quieting memories, and escaping emotions that feel impossible to face. But addiction is not the problem; it is a symptom. At The Fullbrook Center, a women’s addiction treatment center in Texas, we believe that true healing requires treating the root cause of addiction, which is often unprocessed trauma.
Trauma is not just something that happened in the past. It is any event or series of events that causes a lasting negative impact on a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Trauma stays in the body, reshaping the way women experience themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. Without addressing these wounds, addiction treatment can feel like a temporary fix rather than a lasting transformation.
That is why we do not simply offer trauma-informed care—we provide real trauma treatment. Our approach combines clinical expertise with experiential healing, helping women do the hard but necessary work to uncover the root issues behind their addiction. We ask women to do hard things to heal because the only way out is through. While we offer more traditional treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we also offer a range of experiential trauma therapies that make a lasting change in our clients’ lives.
At The Fullbrook Center, one of the best addiction treatment centers in Texas, we can see the light go on when women begin to understand that they are not broken, that their pain does not define them, and that healing is possible. Our trauma therapies are designed to help women process their deepest wounds, reconnect with themselves, and step into the life they were meant to live.
Our Trauma Therapies
(EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
For many women, traumatic memories feel frozen in time—replaying like a film they cannot turn off. EMDR is a highly effective trauma treatment that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. Through guided eye movements, women can move past trauma instead of reliving it over and over again.
If painful memories keep pulling you back, EMDR can help you move forward.
Breathwork
Trauma is not just stored in the mind—it is held in the body. Breathwork allows women to release trapped emotions, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with their bodies in a way that feels safe. Many women experience major healing in just one session, finally feeling a sense of peace and grounding after years of stress and anxiety.
If your body still feels like it’s in survival mode, breathwork can help you find relief.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Many women struggling with addiction feel disconnected from themselves. IFS therapy helps women explore the different “parts” of their inner world, healing the wounded parts while strengthening their core self. Women often find that addiction is just one part of them—one that has been trying to protect them from pain. By working with these parts instead of against them, deep healing happens.
If addiction feels like it has taken over, IFS can help you reclaim yourself.
Somatic Experiencing
It takes an experience to traumatize, so it takes an experience to heal from it. Somatic Experiencing focuses on releasing trauma from the body by completing the stress cycles that were interrupted during a traumatic event. Many women carry physical symptoms of trauma—chronic pain, tension, or dissociation. Somatic Experiencing helps them regain a sense of safety and presence in their bodies.
If trauma still lives in your body, Somatic Experiencing can help you release it.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a powerful trauma therapy that helps women access the deeper parts of their brain where trauma is stored. By focusing on specific “brainspots” in their visual field, women can process trauma without having to relive it verbally. Many experience profound breakthroughs that traditional talk therapy could never reach.
If talk therapy hasn’t worked for you, Brainspotting might be the missing piece.
Attachment Theory
Many women who struggle with addiction also struggle with relationships. Attachment wounds from childhood can shape how women interact with others, often leading to codependency, fear of abandonment, or difficulty trusting people. Our therapy sessions help women heal their attachment wounds, build healthy relationships, and develop a secure sense of self.
If relationships have always felt painful, attachment-based therapy can help you heal.
Psychodrama
Trauma is stored in the body, and sometimes talking about it is not enough. Psychodrama allows women to act out their emotions, memories, and conflicts in a way that helps them gain new insights and emotional release. This therapy often leads to powerful breakthroughs, allowing women to see their pain from a new perspective and reclaim their personal power.
If you feel stuck in your story, psychodrama can help you rewrite it.
Music Therapy
Music has the ability to access emotions that words cannot. Our music therapy program allows women to process emotions, find their voice, and reconnect with creativity as a tool for healing. Many women experience deep emotional breakthroughs through songwriting, drumming, or simply listening to music that speaks to their journey.
If words fail, music can help you express what’s inside.
Art Therapy
Sometimes, emotions are too complex for words. Art therapy provides a nonverbal outlet for expression, healing, and self-discovery. Women find that through painting, drawing, or sculpting, they can explore deep-seated emotions in a way that feels safe and empowering.
If words aren’t enough, art can help you express your healing.
Equine Therapy
Horses have an uncanny ability to reflect human emotions, making them powerful partners in trauma recovery. In our equine therapy program, women interact with horses in ways that help them develop trust, emotional awareness, and confidence. Many women say that working with horses allows them to see their own healing in a way they never expected.
If you struggle to trust, horses can help you heal.
At The Fullbrook Center, we teach women practical DBT skills training that helps them navigate life’s challenges without feeling emotionally overwhelmed. 12-step work is therapeutic in nature, but DBT provides real-time emotional tools that support long-term sobriety.
If emotions feel like they control your life, DBT can help you take back your power.
Start Your Healing Journey at The Fullbrook Center
If you are struggling with substance abuse and the lasting effects of trauma, you’re not alone. There is a way forward. There is healing waiting for you. At The Fullbrook Center, we believe in helping women process their deepest wounds so they can step into the lives they were always meant to live.
Call now to take the first step toward becoming the woman you were born to be. Our admissions team can help you determine how much of your treatment is covered by health insurance. We can also help work out transportation. Reach out today to get started.
FAQs: Trauma Therapies at The Fullbrook Center
What role does trauma therapy play in addiction treatment?
Trauma therapy is a foundational component of addiction treatment at The Fullbrook Center, which is located near Austin TX. Many women struggling with substance abuse are using drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with unresolved trauma. Without addressing the underlying trauma, addiction recovery often feels temporary, as the emotional pain that fuels substance use remains. Our treatment programs integrate evidence-based trauma therapies with structured addiction treatment, helping women heal at the root level and build a foundation for lasting recovery.
How do trauma therapies support women with mental health disorders?
Women with mental health disorders often experience trauma as a contributing factor to conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Fullbrook Center’s trauma treatment programs provide specialized therapy to help women process their past experiences while also addressing mental health concerns. Whether a woman is struggling with substance abuse, PTSD, or co-occurring mental health conditions, trauma therapy helps her develop coping skills that support emotional regulation, stability, and healing.
Can trauma therapy help with dual diagnosis treatment?
Yes. Dual diagnosis treatment is essential for women who are struggling with both mental health disorders and substance abuse. Many women use substances as a way to self-medicate symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders. At The Fullbrook Center, we provide trauma therapy within our dual diagnosis program, ensuring that women receive treatment for both their addiction and their mental health needs.
What levels of care does The Fullbrook Center offer for trauma treatment?
We provide multiple levels of care to support women at every stage of recovery. Our inpatient treatment program offers a structured, immersive environment where women receive intensive trauma therapy alongside addiction treatment. For women transitioning into a more independent phase of recovery, our intensive outpatient program (IOP) allows for continued trauma therapy while balancing real-life responsibilities.
Do all treatment centers offer trauma therapy?
Not all treatment centers provide comprehensive trauma treatment. Many facilities offer trauma-informed care, which acknowledges that trauma plays a role in addiction, but true trauma treatment goes beyond awareness—it actively helps women heal. The Fullbrook Center specializes in trauma-focused addiction treatment, ensuring that every woman receives the deep healing necessary for long-term recovery.
Can trauma therapy help women in alcohol addiction treatment?
Yes. Many women who seek alcohol addiction treatment are using alcohol to suppress painful emotions or memories tied to past trauma. Trauma therapy helps women understand why they are drinking and develop healthier coping strategies. By addressing the emotional wounds that fuel addiction, women gain the tools they need to maintain long-term sobriety.
How do trauma therapies support relapse prevention?
Relapse is often triggered by emotional pain, stress, or unprocessed trauma. Without trauma therapy, women may return to substance use as a way to manage unresolved emotions. The Fullbrook Center’s trauma therapies equip women with healthy coping mechanisms, emotional regulation skills, and self-awareness, reducing the likelihood of relapse.
How do I know if I need trauma therapy in my addiction treatment?
If you have experienced a traumatic event or struggle with persistent emotional distress, nightmares, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms, trauma therapy could be a crucial part of your recovery. Many women do not realize how much their past experiences have shaped their addiction until they begin working through their trauma in therapy.
Does the Mental Health Services Administration recommend trauma therapy for addiction treatment?
Yes. The Mental Health Services Administration recognizes that trauma is a key factor in substance use disorders and recommends trauma-focused therapy as an essential part of addiction recovery. Research shows that treating trauma alongside addiction improves recovery outcomes and helps prevent relapse.
How can I start trauma therapy at The Fullbrook Center?
If you or a loved one is struggling, The Fullbrook Center is here to help with drug and alcohol addiction treatment and comprehensive mental health care. Our trauma therapies provide the deep healing necessary for lasting recovery. Reach out today to get started.
