Trauma Counseling
Trauma might seem like an unhealed wound that keeps coming back in different ways.
You may have experienced a traumatic event in the past which could be affecting how you are feeling or acting today. Trauma changes the way you think about yourself and the world around you.
You might see it as something you should have “gotten over by now”. You might even try your best to push it down or ignore it, but this only makes it more difficult to deal with.
Sometimes you may not even realize that you are dealing with trauma despite the signs that you see every day.
What are some symptoms of trauma?
- changes in mood or thinking
- crying
- socially isolating
- sadness
- feeling emotionally numb
- shame
- guilt
- stress
- nightmares
- flashbacks
- reoccurring thoughts
- anxiety
- feeling on edge
- avoiding certain triggers
What are some symptoms of trauma?
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Guilt
Trauma is a unique and subjective experience.
People have different types of trauma.
Experiencing a traumatic event can be based on the person’s interpretation of the event. What is traumatic to you, may not be traumatic to others and vice versa.
Regardless of this, if you feel that you are experiencing trauma related signs that are interfering with your everyday functioning then it is time to get help.
Whenever we experience a traumatic event and we do not get support at the right time, or the right type of help, our trauma memories get “stuck” in the brain. In other words, they are not “processed” or stored in the right way.
When this happens, we react to trauma related triggers in the same way we had reacted when the original trauma happened. A “flight or fight” response or an alarm is activated in our brain.
Since a traumatized person’s brain is always in alert/protection mode, their perception is completely altered. They may develop irrational thoughts and beliefs about themselves as well as others.
These can create problems in daily life, relationships, and difficulties with problem solving. Long term and or repeated trauma can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as compared to men based on research studies.
Guess what? Our mind can heal its emotional wounds, just as our body can heal its physical wounds.
Together we can help you overcome your traumatic past
- Identify trauma related emotions, thoughts and body sensations
- Build coping skills to manage these
- Install positive thoughts and beliefs to manage trauma
- Explore how the trauma began
- Learn relaxation and self-soothing skills to deal with the trauma symptoms
- Be able to live in your present life
Resolving trauma involves working with unprocessed memories through trauma counseling, and building skills to cope with signs of trauma. I use EMDR therapy as well as DBT in working with individuals who have trauma. Click here to learn more about these specific treatment approaches.