Trauma changes the way we view ourselves and how we see the world. Trauma, which could include one-time, repeated, or multiple events, affects everybody in different ways.
Some common emotional effects from trauma include:
- Feeling anxious or depressed
- Feeling numb or disconnected from self and/or others
- Being irritable or having angry outbursts
- Blaming yourself or having negative views of oneself or the world (self-blame, guilt, and shame)
- Being unable to trust others or more controlling than normal
- Being withdrawn or isolating
Some common physical effects from trauma include:
- Upset stomach and change in appetite
- Trouble sleeping and feeling very tired
- Pounding heart, rapid breathing, feeling shaky
- Sweating
- Severe headache if thinking of the event
- Poor self-care
- Increase in substance use
How can therapy help?
You are invited to share your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in a safe space with a trained, caring mental health professional. Trauma treatment focuses on treating the emotional and physical effects of the traumatic event(s), not focusing on the event itself. I do not need details of the event to treat your symptoms. We will also identify triggers from the past event(s) and develop healthy coping strategies to deal with those triggers.
Therapy will help by allowing you to manage your symptoms healthily, be able to identify and respond to triggers more effectively, and allow you to heal from past events. Healing could look like forgiving yourself, living a life that is meaningful and healthy to you even with the traumatic experiences, enjoying and being in the present, and having empathy for you and your younger self who experienced the trauma. I use a variety of evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches including CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Sensorimotor (mind-body), IFS, Narrative Therapy, and creative arts. We will also talk about the nervous system and help develop an understanding of the body's responses during unsafe, or perceived unsafe, situations.
Therapy will be conducted online or virtually at an agreed-upon cadence that will help you meet your goals (ie. weekly, biweekly, once a month). I may discuss a referral for medication management in addition to therapy with you depending upon the severity of your symptoms and how they are affecting your quality of life and ability to function. I may also discuss referring you to a different type of trauma modality, such as EMDR or CPT, as clinically indicated.
If you are struggling with any of the above symptoms, please reach out. You do not have to suffer and you do not have to suffer alone and without help. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to working alongside you on your healing journey.