Are You Struggling to Process Trauma?
- Are you feeling like you're not in control of your life anymore?
- Do you lie in bed, struggling to fall asleep because you are so fearful of the nightmares that come?
- Do you struggle with big responses to what seem like smaller, every day issues?
- Do you just want to be able to let your guard down in your relationships?
- Do you find yourself missing out on activities because they remind you of your distressing experience?
Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. Trauma symptoms can look like; not being able to get the memory out of your head, distressing dreams, feeling like you are still in the traumatic event, physical/mental/emotional distress when something reminds you of the traumatic event, struggling to experience happiness or love, feeling disconnected from the present moment or self, unable to remember parts of the traumatic event, avoiding people or activities, impaired sleep, irritability, anger, aggression, hypervigilance, struggling to concentrate, and being easily startled.
It is normal for humans to compare their trauma to others in ways that might minimize their experience in hopes to make the situation more manageable. The reality is there is no comparison due to so many contributing factors; isolated incident, chronic experiences, attachment figures as offenders, feelings of helplessness, secondary trauma, and the list could go on. Trauma does not have a singular cause, but instead is defined by the distress it have on the individual.
Many of us discover that it is a struggle to manage the effects of lasting trauma and decide we need counseling for trauma. This can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed.
We are here to support you in providing counseling for trauma and feeling empowered to live in the present.
Many Of Us Are In This Together
According to SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16 [1]. This covers, but is not limited to; intergenerational trauma, physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, natural disasters, witnessing violence, grief/loss, and medical interventions.
Often we overlook some forms of trauma due to them being normalized, whether by our family or society. Have you ever thought, "Well everyone experiences this at some point in their life" or the opposite, "This is so horrible I can't share it with anyone"?
According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives [2]. It is important that you know, you are not alone. The good news, however, is that we are here to support you in processing your experiences and living a fulfilling life though counseling for trauma.
Healing Taking Place
Our therapists offer different approaches to support you in healing from your wounds. We are trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
TF-CBT is an evidenced based treatment that supports children, teens, and their caregivers recover after trauma [3]. During a typical TF-CBT trauma counseling session you will be supported in challenging negative beliefs about yourself or the world that have been cultivated by your trauma as well as learn tools to manage the distress symptoms.
EMDR Therapy is also an evidenced based treatment that addresses trauma. EMDR Therapy addresses the past, present and future to support you in no longer experiencing distress related to the past experiences. You and your therapist will work together to ensure you have the appropriate coping tools to address the distress. During this time you will work with your therapist to explore past experiences, negative beliefs, reprocess the memories, and explore future events related to the trauma.
Our skilled clinicians work with you to ensure you feel safe and there is trust within the relationship during your counseling for trauma. You are our priority and we pride ourselves on meeting you with the appropriate interventions. Our clients express relief during and after our sessions, knowing they have made this important commitment to their healing.
What if I'm Not Ready?
We understand counseling for trauma can be a huge commitment and that barriers might come up. We anticipate there will be other issues that might come up when addressing another. We are focused in making sure a plan is in place to address everything in the most appropriate manner. It is normal that facing something you have worked so hard to push away can be challenging. The trust we work to build during the initial sessions foster a space of acceptance and safety to address these barriers.
Still Have Questions?
How Long Does Trauma Counseling Take?
EMDR Therapy and TF-CBT sessions typically take 60-90 minutes. EMDR Therapy can be done over multiple hours known as intensives. The number of sessions will be determined once your therapist has been able to have an in depth understanding of you and your experiences.
Will You Work With My Current Therapist?
Trauma counseling can be done as the main approach or in addition to traditional talk therapy. If you would like us to collaborate with your current providers we are happy to do so. You would be able to complete a release to allow this collaboration to take place.
Does My Insurance Cover Trauma Counseling?
Different plans have different coverage. Our team will be able to confirm your benefits to ensure you are aware of potential costs that will need to be covered. We are able to discuss self-pay rates as well as provide you with a Superbill to submit if you have Out of Network Benefits.
Give Yourself The Ability to Thrive
Our office is designed to provide a calming space that you can feel relaxed within. Our compassionate therapists that provide counseling for trauma, are here to make sure you are respected and an active part of the healing process. Call us today to schedule a free 15 minute consultation 561-221-0080 or you may also visit our contact page with any additional questions!
[1] https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma
[2] https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Trauma-infographic.pdf
[3] https://tfcbt.org/about/