Traumas that result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder generally stem from a deeply distressing life event such as a natural disaster, serious accident or violent crime. A life experience where you thought you were going to die. Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety, or depressed mood. Trauma can also include chaotic, adverse family environments (alcohol, drugs, mental illness or criminal behavior), childhood abuse or neglect, life threatening health conditions (cancer, HIV, ICU stays), unexpected death of a loved one (death of a child, spouse or miscarriage.)
Some symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:
Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
Hopelessness about the future
Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Feeling detached from family and friends
Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling emotionally numb
Despair
Guilt/Shame
Emotional outbursts, crying uncontrollably or going into a rage.
Addictions to substances, spending, sex and eating.
Feeling safe is critical for a person who has experienced trauma.
I use EMDR and a somatic based approach to treat the effects of trauma. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, helps to release traumatic defense responses that keep a person's minds and bodies from unconsciously scanning for signs of threat. In this process we learn Mindfulness and Grounding techniques to experience a present state of awareness, develop a peaceful calm and resourced body. Through collaboration I assist you in creating a more aware peaceful existence. I aid you in shifting from your active traumatic defensives and pent up hurt . Sadness is almost an inevitable part of the process and understood as “the grief of relief”, signifying the letting go process.