TRAUMA - PTSD - EMDR

Trauma Therapy (big T or little t)

Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime. Trauma will look different for everyone- big T are traumas that alter our outlook on life and safety, little t are things that happened that affect my world view or view of myself in relationship with other people or things due to the impact.  
Many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends. The effects of lasting trauma can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed. This can be demonstrated by having a physical reaction to lesser stimuli, erratic/impulsive behavior, or addiction issues. 

In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist are fundamental to healing. Some trauma symptoms are:

  • Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
  • Addiction to decrease unpleasant memories or feelings
  • Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
  • Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
  • Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
  • Aggressive, reckless behavior, self-harm
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
  • Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
  • Change in habits or behavior since the trauma

Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma.

PTSD

Have you experienced a traumatic event? Are you suffering from lingering fear and anxiety? Do you feel like you no longer have control over how you think, feel, or behave?

Posttraumatic stress disorder - also known as PTSD - is a mental health challenge that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a terrorist act, an act of war, a serious accident, rape, or any other violent personal assault.
It is believed that PTSD affects nearly four percent of the U.S. adult population. While it is commonly linked with veterans, PTSD occurs in people regardless of age, race, nationality, or culture. In fact, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD than men.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD?

People with PTSD often experience intense thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experiences. These can last for a long time after the initial event. Some people with PTSD also relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares. Intense emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and detachment from friends, family, and community members can also be correlated with PTSD. 

How Can Treatment Help?

There are a variety of treatments that can be used to treat PTSD. However, there are three specific techniques that are consistently gaining research-based evidence of their effectiveness in successfully treating PTSD.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy 
  • EMDR – EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. 
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
If you or a loved one suffers from PTSD and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me. I have personally seen amazing transformation through therapy and want to offer the help you need to enjoy life again.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.

What does EMDR help?

EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
  • Panic Attacks
  • Complicated Grief
  • Dissociative Orders
  • Disturbing Memories
  • Phobias
  • Pain Disorders
  • Performance Anxiety
  • Addictions
  • Stress Reduction
  • Sexual and/or Physical Abuse

None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?

Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Is there one or more dysfunctional beliefs that you believe about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy. Contact me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.