PTSD & Trauma

What is trauma?

Trauma is the emotional response to a profoundly distressing and unsettling event or situation that overcomes one’s current coping abilities, resulting in a cascade of unwanted experiences and an altered view of self and the world.

Have you experienced something…

…that has altered your sense of self, left you feeling helpless and uncertain of the future?

Do the thoughts, memories, and feelings of that experience interfere with your ability to work and interact with others?

You are not alone…

Traumatic experiences are more common than you think.

While most recognize war, death, serious injury, abuse, and violence as traumatic events, things such as betrayal, divorce, separation from family, and social alienation can also be traumatizing.

What is traumatizing to one person may not affect another!

Response to trauma is unique to each individual.

Effects of traumatic experiences…

Post -Traumatic Stress is what most people call the effects of a traumatic experience – and will vary greatly between individuals.

The effects may include:

Post-Traumatic Stress is not automatically disordered…

All the effects listed above are natural and quite common reactions to extraordinary events and circumstances that we label as being traumatic.

Unfortunately, as humans our tendency is to avoid and suppress the uncomfortable and painful aspects of trauma.

Prolonged avoidance and suppression lead to a disorder. 

Too often we tell ourselves…

“This shouldn’t be so hard to get over,” or worse yet, others tell us to “just get over it and pull yourself together.” So, we put on the front and say, “It’s in the past; I’m over it.”

This is a temporary fix because our past, however recent or remote, is like the beach ball we tried to push under the water as kids. It will always rise to the surface. Just like the beach ball, the depth we push it to determines the velocity and intensity of its rise.

Life beyond trauma is possible…

However, it requires a willingness to engage rather than avoid the traumatic past, while developing a new relationship to the traumatic past.

It can be scary to face the past, but you do not have to face it alone.

I will help you discover resolution in a gentle and supportive environment.

I am interested in your present…

And how your past is currently affecting your daily life.

It is not necessary or helpful to uncover every aspect of your past trauma.

Rather, we will seek to focus on what comes up for you on a daily basis and interferes with you living your life.

The past has its way of rising to the surface and usually doesn’t need our help.

In our work together…

Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy strategies and relaxation techniques, we will work to discover a more flexible approach to coping with the thoughts, memories, and feelings associated with the traumatic experiences.

These strategies include mindfulness and present-moment awareness, which anchor one in the present, the only place we can effectually change anything.

Cognitive diffusion skills create some space from those overwhelming thoughts and provide the opportunity to develop more effective responses.

Values clarification will prepare the foundation for newly developed responses.

Relaxation skills will help maintain a calm body, as you process difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories.

Manage future traumas…

By developing the skills now to deal with the past trauma, so you will be prepared to navigate future traumatic experiences more effectively.

As first responders, future traumatic experiences are inevitable and quite possible for us all.

Begin your life beyond trauma today!

Please complete the contact form below or schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation here.