Counseling for Trauma
Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s: childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, a car accident, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster.
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
- Brené Brown
I am here to support you through your journey of healing from trauma and issues related to early attachment.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5
Avoidance Symptoms
Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
Anger, irritability and hypervigilance
Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
While the above symptoms listed by the DSM are comprehensive to describe the diagnosis of PTSD, they do not encompass all symptoms or after effects resulting from trauma or issues related to early attachment.
Some additional effects I have seen over the years include but are not limited to:
shame and guilt
negative beliefs about self
problems in relationships
ruminating thoughts related to blaming yourself or others for what happened
issues related to safety in relationships and the external world
emotional pain manifesting in physical symptoms
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma.
I have been intensively trained in each of these therapeutic models and pull from them to customize treatment based on your needs.