Trauma & PTSD Treatment
Most people experience post traumatic stress symptoms within the first few weeks following an extremely stressful event(s). When we don’t have the opportunity to process our thoughts and emotions, symptoms can persist and sometimes worsen over time. Re-experiencing painful memories, hypervigilance, depression, and avoiding reminders of the stressful experience are all common reactions to trauma that can be effectively treated in therapy.
Post-Traumatic & Acute Stress
It can be difficult to imagine living a life where we feel safe or in control following one or a series of deeply stressful or frighting experiences. Sometimes these adverse events impact how we see ourselves and others. You may be wrestling with guilt or shame related to the stressful experience, or perhaps you’re having a difficult time having loving feelings for yourself love ourselves or others. I can be hard to trust others as well. Most people experience some form of post-traumatic stress immediately following a scary and unpredictable. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress include intrusive thoughts about the event, re-experiencing the event(s) as if they are happening again, avoiding thoughts, feelings, or external reminders of the traumatic experience, hypervigilance or being on “super-alert”, or having negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves, others, or the world we live in. All of these symptoms are common reactions to trauma and are the mind and body’s way of protecting us. After 1-2 weeks, many people’s symptoms subside. However, there are others who continue to experience these signs of post-traumatic stress, often years after a stressful experience(s). If you identify with this experience, then trauma-focusing therapy may be a good fit for you.
Evidence-Based Trauma Informed Care
There are several evidence-based treatments for PTSD and acute stress. As part of the intake process, I gather a comprehensive understanding of what your current symptoms are, as well as the severity of those symptoms and your distress-level. I also provide you with various treatment options, including prolonged exposure (PE), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), or integrated trauma-informed therapy. For more information on PE and CPT treatment protocols, please visit the following VA-sponsored websites here:
Both PE and CPT are considered the “gold standard” for PTSD and other signs of trauma. However, Integrated trauma-informed therapy can be just as effective. It is less structured but incorporates aspects of PE and CPT, as well as traditional psychotherapy. This integrated approach is recommended for those who are also experiencing co-occurring depression, substance use, relationship issues, or other concerns in addition to, acute stress or PTSD. All three of the above approaches focus on emotionally processing the stressful experiences, beginning to engage in activities you may have previously avoidant since he trauma took place, and exploring a new and more helpful perspective about yourself, others, and your environment. These treatment goals are particularly important for decreasing PTSD symptoms because it promotes an increased sense of safety and control, acceptance of what we can’t control, as well as emotional intimacy in important relationships, trust, and self-esteem. At the end of your initial session, we will collaboratively discuss which treatment option is most appropriate for you.