Trauma Therapy
Navigating the aftermath of trauma can feel like being lost in a dense forest, unsure of which path leads out. This is where a trauma therapist steps in.
A good trauma therapist should provide you with support so healing becomes less daunting. They’re not just there to walk beside you; they empower you to reclaim your strength and map out a new course for your life. So whether you’re dealing with the shadows of past events or the immediate shock of recent ones, a trauma therapist like me is the key to turning survival into thriving.
Professional Treatment For Trauma & PTSD
Trauma can happen to anyone at any time in their lives. When someone seeks professional treatment for trauma, they may receive a Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) diagnosis depending on the symptoms they’re experiencing. Not all trauma qualifies technically for a formal PTSD diagnosis. That is not meant to negate the experience you’re having, it’s merely a measure of the impact of your symptoms and experience.
Trauma therapists can see and treat both “little T” and “big T” traumas. And all qualify for support. Little T traumas may be a breakup, job loss or deep disappointment in your life that is having an impact on your wellbeing and happiness. Big T’s are often more intense traumas that have affected your life in powerful ways. Both kinds of trauma can affect your ability to perform at work or in your relationships as you once did and both are good to explore in therapy and can be helped.
Professional treatment for trauma and PTSD is essential for navigating the path to recovery. This journey often involves a combination of therapies tailored to the individual’s needs, incorporating approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy ART among others.
These treatments aim to process and integrate traumatic memories, reduce symptoms, and improve your quality of life. Medication may also be prescribed to manage specific symptoms like anxiety or depression. With the guidance of skilled professionals, individuals can work through their trauma, reclaim their sense of self, and embark on a new chapter of their lives. The process requires courage and commitment, but the outcome—a life not defined by trauma—is well worth the effort.
How Do I Know If I Need Trauma Therapy?
Recognizing the need for trauma therapy often starts with observing changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that impact your daily life after a challenging experience. Here are some signs that might indicate it’s time to seek professional support:
- Persistent Reliving of the Event: If you find yourself frequently haunted by flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts related to the trauma, it might be time to seek help.
- Avoidance: You might avoid places, people, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event, which can destroy your happy life and experiences.
- Changes in Mood and Thought Patterns: Experiencing persistent negative thoughts about yourself or the world, feeling hopeless, or experiencing mood swings could signal a need for therapy.
- Heightened Arousal and Reactivity: If you’re easily startled, feeling on edge, or experiencing anger outbursts, these could be symptoms of PTSD.
- Difficulty Functioning: When symptoms of trauma interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships, or carry out daily activities, it’s important to consider seeking help.
- Physical Symptoms: Trauma can also manifest physically, through symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, or chronic pain without a clear medical cause.
- Self Destructive Behavior: Turning to substance abuse, self harm, or other risky behaviors as a way to cope can be a sign that therapy is needed.
If you recognize these signs in yourself, reaching out to a healthcare provider or a trauma therapist can be the first step towards healing. Seeking help is a sign of strength and the first step in regaining control over your life.
Don’t wait. Regain control of your life today.
If you are ready to move past the traumatic events that have deeply affected your life, the time to start is now. I can help you. Schedule a free consultation today.
Symptoms Of Trauma
Symptoms of trauma can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Here’s a breakdown:
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
- Intense or unpredictable feelings: You may experience overwhelming emotions, sudden mood swings, or feelings of numbness.
- Flashbacks: Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again.
- Nightmares or disturbed sleep: Trauma can significantly affect your sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or nightmares.
- Anxiety and fear: A constant state of tension or panic, even in safe situations.
- Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in life.
- Feelings of guilt or shame: Believing you are at fault for the event or feeling ashamed of your reactions.
- Difficulty concentrating: Trauma can make it hard to focus on tasks or make decisions.
Physical Symptoms
- Increased heart rate and sweating: Physical manifestations of anxiety or fear.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time, even without physical exertion.
- Being easily startled: Jumping at sudden noises or movements.
- Aches and pains: Unexplained physical symptoms that don’t have a clear medical cause.
- Changes in appetite: Eating much more or much less than usual.
Behavioral Symptoms
- Avoidance: Steering clear of places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma.
- Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions and activities you once enjoyed.
- Using drugs: Using substances to numb feelings or cope with memories.
Recognizing these symptoms can be the first step toward seeking help and beginning the healing process. It’s important to note that experiences of trauma are highly individual, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person.
Symptoms of PTSD Can Include:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop following exposure to a distressing event. Symptoms of PTSD can be categorized into four main groups:
Intrusive Thoughts
- Unwanted, distressing memories of the trauma that can come at any time.
- Reliving the trauma as if it were happening again, including physical symptoms like sweating or heart palpitations.
- Frequent, distressing dreams related to the traumatic or single event.
Avoidance
- Refusing to discuss the trauma or anything related to it.
- Actively avoiding places, activities, people, or thoughts that remind you of the trauma.
Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood
- Feeling unable to experience happiness, love, or other positive emotions.
- Persistent, negative beliefs about oneself or others (“I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”).
- Feeling detached or estranged from others, even close family and friends.
- Losing interest in activities that were once enjoyed.
Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity
- Trouble falling or staying asleep.
- A heightened reaction to sudden noises or surprises.
- A constant feeling of being on the lookout for danger.
- Engaging in risky or destructive activities without thinking about the consequences.
- Having severe, often unwarranted, reactions to small irritations.
- Difficulty focusing on tasks or work.
Symptoms of PTSD can significantly impair an individual’s daily functioning and quality of life. It’s important for anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek professional help. Treatment can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, tailored to the individual’s needs to help manage symptoms and improve well-being.
How Do I Start Trauma Therapy?
Starting trauma therapy involves a few thoughtful steps to ensure you find the right support and approach for your needs:
- Research Therapists: Look for therapists who specialize in trauma and PTSD. As a therapist in Texas, I can help you in person or via teletherapy. Please reach out for a consultation to discuss your challenges when you’re ready.
- Consider the Type of Therapy: Decide if you prefer individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination of both.
- Check Credentials: Ensure the therapist is licensed and has relevant experience and training in treating trauma.
- Make Contact: Reach out to potential therapists to inquire about their availability and therapy approach.
- Prepare for Your First Session: Consider writing down what you hope to achieve in therapy and any specific experiences you want to address.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that healing from trauma is a process that takes time.
- Self Care: Engaging in self care practices during therapy is crucial.
Taking the step to start trauma therapy is a significant act of courage and self care. It’s the beginning of a journey towards healing and reclaiming your life from the impact of trauma.
How Does A Therapist Heal Trauma?
A therapist heals trauma by guiding individuals through a process that helps them safely confront and process traumatic memories, understand their impact, and develop strategies to cope with the emotional and psychological fallout.
This process varies depending on the therapeutic approach, but it typically involves building a trusting therapist-client relationship, creating a safe space for the individual to explore their trauma, and using specific techniques to help them process and integrate their experiences in a healthy way.
One effective method for treating trauma is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). ART is a relatively new, evidence-based form of therapy that combines principles from several traditional therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). It is designed to help individuals rapidly process traumatic memories and reduce the distressing emotions associated with them.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps people heal from trauma by targeting the way distressing memories are stored in the brain. When we go through overwhelming experiences like accidents, abuse, or betrayal, our nervous system can struggle to process what happened. Those memories may get stuck, showing up later as anxiety, nightmares, or emotional triggers that feel out of proportion. EMDR gently supports the brain in reprocessing these memories using a technique called bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. This process helps reduce the emotional intensity of the memory so it feels less charged and easier to manage.
One of the unique things about EMDR is that you don’t have to talk through every detail of what happened in order to experience relief. The therapy works by helping the brain move the memory from a raw emotional state into something more resolved and integrated. You still remember what happened, but it no longer feels like it’s happening all over again. Many people describe feeling more grounded and less reactive in situations that used to be overwhelming. EMDR can be especially effective for post-traumatic stress, anxiety, grief, and unresolved trauma from earlier in life. It offers a path forward when talk therapy alone hasn’t been enough.
Overall, the journey to heal trauma involves confronting painful memories, understanding their impact, and learning to integrate these experiences into one’s life in a way that fosters growth and healing. Therapies like EMDR offer promising avenues for individuals to overcome the debilitating effects of trauma and reclaim their lives.
Don’t wait. Get help today.
If you are ready to move rapidly beyond your traumatic experiences, we can help.
Common Issues EMDR Therapy Can Help
When done with a qualified, licensed therapist, EMDR has the potential to significantly reduce the symptoms of trauma related issues. It can be used to treat a variety of presenting issues, including the following:
- Relationship trauma from intimate partners and/or childhood
- Combat related post traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Substance abuse
- Panic attacks
- Grief and loss
- Sleep issues
- Developmental trauma
Who Benefits from EMDR?
EMDR has a surprising number of benefits for clients, even those who don’t feel that they are “classically” traumatized. Anyone who is challenged with persistent feelings of re-enacting old hurts, abuse or wounds qualifies. Symptoms may include:
- Feeling emotionally overwhelmed by specific memories or situations
- Avoiding people, places, or conversations that stir up old pain
- Struggling with low self-worth or a harsh inner critic
- Reacting with anger, anxiety, or fear in ways that feel disproportionate
- Reliving the same relationship patterns that always end in hurt
- Having intrusive thoughts or distressing mental images
- Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from your own emotions
- Experiencing sudden mood shifts without a clear cause
- Constantly feeling “on guard” or unable to fully relax
- Repeating self-sabotaging behaviors or coping mechanisms
- Sensing that you’re stuck in the past, even when life looks fine on the outside
- Difficulty trusting others or letting people get close
- Feeling helpless, frozen, or out of control during stress
How Can I Get Stared With Trauma Therapy?
Contact our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation and see what kind of therapy is right for your specific situation. We offer in person therapy in Houston and virtual therapy services across Texas.
Trauma Therapy FAQs
How Does Trauma Affect Relationships?
Trauma can deeply impact relationships, leading to difficulties with trust, communication, and emotional intimacy. Traumatized individuals may exhibit withdrawal, irritability, or heightened reactivity, which can strain partnerships. Without addressing the underlying trauma, these patterns can perpetuate disconnection and misunderstanding.
What Are Long Term Consequences Of PTSD?
Long-term consequences of untreated PTSD can include chronic anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and increased risk for physical health issues such as cardiovascular disease. Socially, it can lead to relationship difficulties, isolation, and challenges in maintaining employment. These outcomes highlight the importance of seeking treatment and support for PTSD.
Don’t wait. Call me now!
If you are ready to move rapidly beyond your traumatic experiences, we can help!