Therapy for Trauma & PTSD

Have you ever experienced or witnessed something that continues to negatively impact you to this day? Trauma refers to an event or series of events that have been harmful, distressing, or very upsetting. Trauma can be segmented into different categories:

  1. Acute Trauma - From a single distressing event that may have occurred

  2. Chronic Trauma - From ongoing stressors

  3. Developmental Trauma - From negative experiences that occurred during childhood

  4. Complex Trauma - From exposure to a variety of traumatic events experienced over time

What are the symptoms of trauma?

Symptoms of trauma can manifest themselves differently depending on the person. Here are some that are common:

  • Becoming emotionally numb

  • Experiencing flashbacks where one ‘returns’ to a specific, often overwhelming memory of the event

  • Actively avoiding situations or places that may trigger memories of the experience

  • Hypervigilance: Being in a state of constant alertness and sensory awareness

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Mood swings

  • Social withdrawal

  • Unexplainable physical pains and illnesses

  • Guilt and shame

  • Difficulty connecting with or trusting others

How can therapy help me with my trauma?

Therapy can be extremely beneficial for individuals coping with and recovering from trauma. Here are a few areas where I have helped others and could help you, too:

Emotional Expression: I can work with you to explore and understand strange, conflicting, and hidden emotions.

Education: I can provide psychoeducation on how trauma has impacted your thoughts, behavior, and feelings, in order to increase your resilience and better your response to future events.

Coping Strategies: I can teach you strategies to manage common trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, flashback, nightmares, and relationship stress.

Improving Relationships: I can empower you on trusting, communicating to, and reconnecting with important people in your life.

Processing Traumatic Memories: Using EMDR therapy (see below), I can help you process and reframe traumatic memories to make them less upsetting.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a evidence-based approach designed to help you reprocess and ultimately heal from traumatic experiences or upsetting memories.

As a trained EMDR therapist and licensed therapist, I will guide you through a structured process that will involve recalling traumatic memories concurrently with bilateral stimulation, an effective therapy method of processing traumatic memories and recalling and strengthening resources. Bilateral stimulation is typically conducted with side-to-side eye movements or by tapping the left and right side of your body. Studies have shown that bilateral stimulation makes it easier for the brain to process and ultimately reorganize distressing memories, making them less emotionally intense.

EMDR can be immensely beneficial in helping individuals reduce the impact of trauma and overcome Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).