Counseling for Trauma

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Most people have experienced some form of trauma throughout their lifetime. Whether the traumatic event was severe and sudden or an ongoing chronic stressor, your reaction to traumatic events can become deeply rooted - leaving you feeling stuck in a heightened state of stress even after the event has ended. The impact of trauma is different for everyone and no two people will experience one event in the exact same way. This means you can experience something extremely upsetting that others may seem unaffected by. Whether it was a painful childhood, loss of control, humiliation, a desctructive relationship, physical or emotional injury, these experiences may continue to impact your life long after the initial injury. Trauma may hurt your relationships, physical health, self-confidence, and general happiness with life.

Trauma is stored deep in the brain and body and reactions can surface before your conscious awareness (higher level thinking) can even register what is happening. You may experience a sensory trigger like seeing, hearing, or smelling something that relates to the original event and find yourself suddenly reacting in intense ways even though you rationally know you are safe. You may feel trapped by your trauma responses and feel that you are at the mercy of every possible trigger.

When trauma is not associated with a single event and is instead the result of long-term, chronic stress, the symptoms may seem harder to pinpoint. For example, a highly chaotic or neglectful childhood can lead to dysfunctional and chaotic relationships as an adult without being able to fully identify specific roots of trauma. While sources of trauma can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint, there is hope in knowing that many of the treatment tools used will be similar and provide the same level of relief.

Symptoms of Trauma

Unresolved traumas can lead to many different symptoms, some of which include:

• Nightmares or sleep issues

• Intrusive thoughts about the past event that sometimes seem to show up out of nowhere

• Feeling triggered and having strong emotional reactions that feel bigger than appropriate for the situation

• Being easily startled and feeling jumpy

• Low self-confidence or self-worth

• Avoiding people, places, or things that trigger painful emotions

• Increased/decreased appetite or digestive issues

• Feeling disconnected from your body or feeling emotionally numb

• Getting stuck in the memory or feeling like you are reliving the event

• Difficulty connecting or struggling with intimacy issues

How is trauma treated?

Trauma typically affects your entire being -  the mental, physical, and spiritual can all be impacted by the lasting effects of trauma. It is necessary to create a new, more healing-focused narrative in relation to your trauma. Some therapy techniques like talk therapy, compassionate validation, and journaling can help create a sense of empowerment in your story, while also honoring and acknowledging how the event has impacted you. Your therapist will also help you uncover and heal from any distorted or limiting beliefs that may be keeping you stuck.

While talk therapy (like CBT) can be an important aspect of trauma treatment, it is crucial to address the somatic (body-based) effects of trauma in order to treat the whole self. This may include things like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic processing, and other trauma-informed mindfulness and grounding techniques. Healing from trauma is a whole body experience that should be tailored to meet your specific needs.

At Steps Mental Health, trauma treatment involves helping the brain and body heal from the effects of trauma while also creating new perspectives of the experience. We will start by buildling a plan together that we both agree on to make sure you feel as safe and in control as possible throughout the experience. We will then work on building coping skills and strategies to help you manage any distress that may come up. This, combined with processing experiences mentioned above, will provide the best possible space for healing.

In any trauma work, it is important that your therapist provides a safe and supportive environment and that you feel heard and understood. Advocating for your needs for safety and empathy during this process is absolutely necessary and appropriate.

How will trauma treatment help me?

Healing from trauma can be a very scary thought because it involves facing the pains you have been working so hard to avoid. While the processing phases can be difficult at times, healing these old wounds can allow you to take control of your life and become more empowered in so many areas of your life. When you commit to the healing process, many people feel more connected to themselves and others, more resilient, more self-worth, and an overall greater sense of meaning beyond their suffering.

If you have more questions about what trauma treatment might look like for you, contact me to schedule a free consultation.