Trauma Therapy Services
Something scary, overwhelming, or unimaginable has happened.
Maybe this event happened to you, or maybe it happened to someone you know. Overnight, the world feels unsafe, other people can’t be trusted, and you feel scared that you can’t keep yourself or others from danger. You may notice yourself feeling more on edge, finding it difficult to relax. Maybe you startle more easily, or find yourself constantly looking over your shoulder. Your family and friends notice you being more irritable, snappy, and short tempered and say you should see someone. But who could truly understand what you’ve been through? Thoughts and memories come in without warning, reminding you of what happened. You just want it to stop, but even your dreams feel haunted at times.
Navigating the aftermath of a traumatic experience is different for everyone, and the range of responses can vary.
It’s important to remember that however your body is responding, it is a normal reaction to an abnormal circumstance. Your mind is trying to make sense of a new, scarier world. Somehow you survived, and now that survival instinct is going off even when you are safe.
You may be experiencing some or all of the following symptom clusters:
Intrusive Memories and Thoughts
- You have reoccurring and distressing memories of the trauma
- You may have experienced "Flashbacks" or feeling like the event is happening right now
- You notice an increase in nightmares (that are not always about the trauma)
- You feel emotional or physical reactions when experiencing triggers or reminders of the event (a song, a pain or bruise, people wearing a particular color or style of clothes, etc.)
Avoidance
- You try to distract yourself so you don't think about what happened
- You avoid going to places or talking to people that remind you of what happened
- You never talk about what happened because it feels overwhelming
Negative Changes in Mood and Thinking
- You now think about yourself as weaker, incapable, or different compared to before
- You see the world as unsafe and question your part in it
- You view others as threats and have a hard time trusting
- You may feel hopeless or helpless about the future and have a hard time imagining what you will be doing in the next few months or years
- You struggle to remember details or important aspects of the trauma
- You push others away or have a hard time connecting and building relationships
- You may experience detachment or estrangement, feeling like an outsider or 'other'
- You rarely feel like doing activities or hobbies that used to feel fun
- You often feel numb or flat
Physical and Emotional Responses
- You notice yourself being startled or frightened easier than before
- You are constantly on edge and are always on the lookout for danger (hypervigilance)
- You find yourself engaging in self destructive behavior, such as drinking, gambling, driving fast, spending all your money on clothes or online shopping, or taking substances in ways that you didn't used to
- You have a hard time sleeping
- You find it difficult to concentrate
- You are easily irritated and lash out in angry outbursts or with aggression
- You are often overcome with guilt and shame
When working through traumatic events in therapy, I hope to help you find a sense of security again.
Success is feeling able to tell the difference between danger and safety, instead of always being on alert. Over time, you may find the intrusive thoughts have become boring, just one part of your full and diverse life experience. No longer bullied into a sense of fear and anxiety.
Pricing:
Individual: $160 per 50 minute session
