What Is Trauma?
Trauma refers to the response to a direct or indirect encounter of a deeply disturbing or distressing experience. Research shows that up to 70% of American adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. There are many different kinds of trauma, and some examples include physical abuse, sexual assault and rape, community violence, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and wartime stress. There are also less-apparent traumaslike attachment wounds, family conflict, financial stress, and legal problems. Trauma is a risk factor associated with nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders.
What is PTSD?
Trauma affects everybody differently. Some people find themselves obsessing over the details of what happened several months or years after the event or events. Others find themselves moving on from the event fairly quickly. Sometimes, trauma can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition characterized by clusters of symptoms related to hypervigilance, avoidance, flashbacks, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, depression, and problems with sleep, relationships, or work.
How I Can Help You Heal From Trauma Symptoms
Depending on the individual, trauma therapy often requires a combination of different therapeutic interventions. Some people benefit from creative interventions like art therapy and various experiential exercises. Others benefit from more structured therapy models like Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is important to transition from trauma-based thought patterns into more adaptive thoughts. Therapists use caution and sensitivity when working with trauma it is essential to move at the appropriate speed to mitigate the risk of causing additional harm.
Whether you endured trauma a week ago or twenty years ago, we can work together to promote resilience and hope. Trauma can impact significant areas of your life, and it can compromise your self-esteem, quality of relationships and sense of safety in the world. Therapy provides you with a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss the events that you experienced at your unique pace. There is no expectation or timeline for how quickly you are supposed to heal or even what that recovery might look like. Your past does not have to define your present and future, and we will work together to help you feel more empowered and confident.