Therapy for Trauma and PTSD

What is trauma?

Trauma is an experience that pushes you beyond your coping limits and leaves a physiological and emotional wound. When trauma wounds remain unhealed, they become the lenses through which you see the world, making it difficult to have healthy and rewarding life experiences.

Trauma may be a single incident like a car accident, death of a loved one, acute illness or medical procedure, a violent criminal act, or a natural disaster. Trauma can also be ongoing like an abusive relationship or workplace, chronic illness, or exposure to the violence of war.

50-60% of individuals will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed, commonly called Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental in healing from trauma.

PTSD/Trauma Symptoms

Avoidance Symptoms

Avoiding specific places, sights, situations, and sounds that remind you of the event or experience
Engaging in activities that help you escape emotional pain through numbing (i.e., overeating, alcohol, sex, gambling, overworking, scrolling social media, etc.)
People-pleasing and abandoning your needs and desires

Re-experiencing Symptoms

Intrusive thoughts or memories about your experience that feel uncomfortable and are difficult to stop
Nightmares or flashbacks

Hyperarousal Symptoms

Feeling on guard, edgy, or looking for danger or safety cues
Anger, irritability, easily annoyed
Aggressive, reckless, impulsive, or risky behaviors
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness, difficulty completing tasks, inattention

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event(s)
Habits and behaviors changing
Low self-esteem, self-blame or criticism, guilt, and shame
Suicidal ideation or self-harm

How do I treat trauma and PTSD

Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I approach trauma healing through making space for your body to heal the emotions and energy that are lingering as well as help you detach/release the charge from the traumatic memories. This allows you to be able to recall events as memories but not be held captive to their impact on you today. I use a blend of approaches to treat trauma, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Person-Centered Psychotherapy to help you identify the remaining wounds of trauma and foster long-term healing.

In my office you can expect to learn about yourself, your trauma/stress responses, understand your body cues, and consciously engage in your healing in a safe, private, and welcoming space. I move at your pace and with your goals of healing in mind. If this sounds like your next step, please reach out and let’s chat.

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