What the Therapy Session on RHOSLC Gets Right About Real Trauma Therapy
Reality TV doesn’t always portray therapy accurately (see my previous blog about SLOMW), but the recent therapy session on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC) with Ms. I have an announcement aka Britani Bateman and her daughter surprised many viewers—and many trauma therapists—by showing what real trauma therapy can actually look like.
For people who have never experienced trauma-informed therapy, the process can feel mysterious or intimidating. They may picture dramatic breakthroughs, therapists pushing for emotional confessions, or quick fixes, no thanks to editing on various shows. But effective trauma treatment—whether through EMDR, IFS (Internal Family Systems), or somatic modalities—is grounded in safety, regulation, and pacing.
The therapy session on RHOSLC captured several core principles of trauma-informed care, making it a helpful and relatable example of what happens in an actual therapy session. Here’s what the show got right.
It Showed That Trauma Therapy Isn’t About Retelling the Traumatic Event
Many people assume trauma therapy means telling the full traumatic story from start to finish. In reality, skilled trauma therapists avoid pushing clients into retraumatizing detail.
In the RHOSLC session, the therapist gently slowed things down, inviting the client to talk about:
sensations
emotions
body responses
what felt overwhelming in the moment
This is exactly how trauma-focused modalities like EMDR, IFS, and somatic therapy begin. It’s about what we learn and how we respond after a trauma, not so much about the details about what happened. Healing trauma is less about the story itself and more about:
regulating the nervous system
building internal safety
increasing the client’s window of tolerance
The session highlighted that trauma therapy focuses on felt experience, not forcing disclosure.
The Therapist Accurately Named Nervous System Responses
One of the most trauma-informed moments was when the therapist reflected what they noticed in the client’s body—tightness, bracing, tears—and framed them as normal nervous system reactions, not character flaws or “overreacting.”
This is a foundational part of trauma work.
Trauma often shows up as:
shutting down
defensiveness
irritability
freezing
emotional overwhelm
A good therapist names these responses with compassion, helping the client understand:
“This isn’t you being dramatic—this is your nervous system trying to protect you.”
This kind of attunement is essential in trauma healing.
The Session Modeled Choice, Control, and Consent
Trauma is fundamentally about losing control, feeling and being unsafe and losing choice.
Trauma therapy, at its best, gives that control back.
In the RHOSLC therapy scene, the therapist:
asked permission before exploring deeper layers
checked in about pacing
encouraged grounding
made sure the client felt safe before continuing
This aligns with modern trauma-informed therapy, which emphasizes collaborative care. Clients should never feel pushed or pressured. They should always feel like they have a voice and a choice.
It Demonstrated the Role of Relationship in Trauma Healing
Many TV therapy scenes push confrontation or dramatic interactions. Instead, this RHOSLC session prioritized connection.
The therapist facilitated:
emotional awareness
curiosity about triggers
space for vulnerability
an understanding of the relational dynamics at play
Trauma—especially relational trauma—gets healed through safe relationship, not conflict.
This is the foundation of most trauma modalities. When the nervous system feels connected and supported, protective parts can soften, making healing possible.
It Modeled Realistic Trauma Work—Not a Dramatic Breakthrough
What made this RHOSLC therapy scene so refreshing was that it didn’t promise an unrealistic “overnight transformation.” Instead, viewers saw what a typical trauma session looks like in real life:
incremental insight
small shifts in awareness
emotional regulation
a little less defensiveness
a little more compassion
This is the heart of trauma healing.
Whether someone is doing EMDR, IFS parts work, or somatic therapy, progress happens in small, sustainable steps, not Hollywood-style breakthroughs.
Why the RHOSLC Therapy Session Matters
Millions of people watch RHOSLC, and seeing an accurate depiction of trauma therapy helps reduce stigma and correct misconceptions.
When a mainstream show models:
nervous system education
consent-based trauma exploration
emotional safety
boundaries
realistic pacing
…it helps viewers understand what trauma-informed therapy actually looks and feels like.
For anyone curious or nervous about trauma therapy, this RHOSLC moment may have offered an unexpected gift:
A glimpse into how healing truly unfolds—slowly, safely, and with compassion.
If you’re looking for a therapist to help you learn more about improving your relationships, I offer therapy for eating disorders, trauma, and anxiety in Marietta, GA, Coconut Creek, FL and virtually across GA, FL and SC.