Forward Facing Trauma Therapy
Forward Facing Trauma Therapy (FFT) is a gentle, evidence-based trauma treatment developed by licensed psychotherapist Katie Thomas, MA, LPC in 2014. It was created as a safer alternative to traditional trauma therapies that require clients to revisit and verbally describe traumatic memories. Instead, FFT helps the brain resolve trauma while keeping attention anchored in the present.
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FFT is grounded in neuroscience showing that trauma is stored as sensory fragments and emotional responses in the brain and nervous system. When those memories are directly accessed, the body can react as if the trauma is happening again. FFT avoids this by working with eye positions and brain-based processing techniques that allow traumatic material to release without conscious re-exposure.
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Clients remain fully aware, regulated, and emotionally safe throughout sessions. The therapist guides the brain to process unresolved trauma indirectly, reducing triggers and emotional intensity while preserving personal stability and control.
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FFT follows a clear five-phase structure:
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Stabilization & Safety – establishing grounding and emotional regulation
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Orientation to Present – strengthening awareness of current safety
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Neuroprocessing – structured eye positions to release trauma storage
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Integration – reinforcing emotional and cognitive shifts
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Future Focus – anchoring healing into present and forward movement
Forward Facing Trauma Therapy is especially helpful for:
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Trauma survivors overwhelmed by memory-based approaches
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Individuals with complex or developmental trauma
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Clients prone to dissociation during traditional trauma work
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Anxiety triggered by unresolved past events
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People who cannot or do not want to verbalize trauma details
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Those seeking a body-safe, present-centered trauma therapy
FFT is delivered only by specially trained clinicians and is valued for its protective, compassionate design. It allows trauma resolution to occur without requiring clients to relive painful experiences, making it a powerful option for safe and sustainable healing.