If you experienced medical and sexual trauma after pediatric voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs), you’re not alone. Early childhood trauma can have profound and lasting impacts on our long-term health. However, it’s important to understand that everyone’s path to healing is unique.
Trauma is in the eye of the beholder, meaning the road to recovery can look different for each individual. Factors like family dynamics and life circumstances post-VCUG influence how trauma is experienced and processed. What works best for one individual may not work for another, and vice versa.
In this blog, we’ll explore common therapies for VCUG trauma recovery to help you make informed choices for your unique needs.
What Are the Different Therapies for VCUG Trauma Recovery?
If you're healing from VCUG trauma, it can be overwhelming to consider the wide range of therapies and treatments available to you. Each survivor’s recovery journey is different, so it’s essential to find a therapy approach that fits your specific needs. A tailored treatment plan can provide comfort, healing, and strength to reclaim your voice during recovery.
Below are some common therapy options for PTSD and trauma recovery after VCUG:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured and collaborative treatment that focuses on understanding and changing negative thought patterns. Practical and skill-focused, CBT emphasizes applying learned skills and techniques to real-life situations. By learning to reframe unhelpful behaviors, individuals with PTSD can reduce their distress and develop healthier ways of coping with trauma-related symptoms.
What to Expect During CBT
The first few sessions of CBT will typically involve getting to know your history, discussing your challenges, and setting specific goals for therapy. In subsequent sessions, you'll work with your therapist to identify unhelpful behaviors contributing to your struggles and learn healthy techniques to replace them. Sessions may also involve homework assignments to reinforce the skills learned in therapy.
Pros
Goal-oriented
Evidence-based
Focus on the present and future
Collaborative and accessible in various settings
Cons
Requires active participation
Can be emotionally challenging
Limited focus on past traumatic experiences
Structured approach can be limiting for some
May be insufficient for individuals with complex trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences in a healthy way. EMDR is different from traditional talk therapies because it doesn’t require you to talk in detail about your trauma. Instead, the goal is to “reprocess” the memory so it no longer feels as painful or disruptive. Over time, this can provide significant relief from PTSD symptoms.
What to Expect During EMDR
During an EMDR session, a therapist guides you to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation. This is usually done through eye movements, tapping on the knees or hands, or listening to tones. This dual focus helps the brain process and integrate the traumatic memory, leading to reduced emotional intensity and PTSD symptoms.
Pros
Less verbal disclosure
Effective for complex trauma
Evidence-based PTSD treatment
Cons
High emotional intensity
Requires passive participation
Potential for re-traumatization
Potential physical side effects (dizziness, fatigue, headache, nightmares, etc.)
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy helps individuals gradually confront trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations in a safe environment. The goal is to reduce the distress associated with these memories by facing them repeatedly, which helps the brain process and diminish the emotional charge of the trauma. This exposure helps individuals regain control and reduce avoidance behaviors linked to PTSD.
What to Expect During PE
At the start of PE therapy, your therapist will explain the treatment process, set goals for your therapy, and help you understand the connection between trauma-related thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Your therapist will encourage you to gradually confront real-life situations (starting with less distressing triggers and working your way up to more challenging ones) and teach you coping strategies to manage the anxiety that arises during exposure.
Pros
Structured setting
Effective for complex trauma
Evidence-based efficacy for PTSD
Cons
Initial discomfort
High demand for time and effort
Requires extensive, active participation
More gradual process compared to alternative treatments
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for PTSD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and emotional regulation issues. It helps individuals manage intense emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. In PTSD recovery, DBT focuses on balancing acceptance of painful emotions with efforts to change harmful behaviors. It teaches skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to build resilience and navigate trauma-related challenges.
What to Expect During DBT
During the first few DBT sessions, your therapist will work with you to understand your emotional struggles and how they affect your daily life. You’ll also discuss the goals you want to work toward and learn about the structure of DBT. In individual sessions, you'll work with a therapist to address emotional challenges and learn core skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Pros
Structured framework
Emphasis on skills training and mindfulness
Often combines individual and group therapy
Highly effective for specific conditions (PTSD, BPD, EDs, self-harm, etc.)
Cons
Time-intensive
Less focused on processing trauma
Can be insufficient for individuals with complex trauma
Take Back Your Power with the Unsilenced Movement
Healing from VCUG trauma can be isolating and overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Since 2023, the Unsilenced Movement has been dedicated to maintaining a safe space for survivors to connect and heal after life-altering sexual and medical trauma in early childhood. Our goal is to help you take the first step toward healing by making your voice heard. Whether you’re seeking advocacy opportunities to help us improve the standard of care or simply hoping to connect with like-minded individuals in a supportive setting, our grassroots organization offers a variety of resources to aid you on your healing journey.
Comments