Has A Past Trauma Left You Feeling Unhappy Or Unsettled?
Have you been experiencing painful emotions like anxiety, panic, anger, or sadness related to a past experience? Memories of what happened might have you constantly on guard, watching and waiting in preparation for the next threat. Trauma Therapy can help.
Are you feeling emotionally reactive? Is that coming between you and your loved ones? You might respond angrily to everyday interactions; afterward, perhaps you ruminate about what you did or said. If you feel misunderstood by friends or family, you might withdraw from others, especially if you are afraid of feeling vulnerable or if you’ve been struggling with low self-esteem.
Even if you recognize your symptoms as the effects of trauma, you may not understand why it is impacting you so deeply.
Fortunately, learning about trauma’s effects on the mind and body can provide insights that facilitate healing. With support and guidance, you can take back control of your thoughts and emotions, giving you a new sense of calm and freedom.
We offer Trauma therapy at our Woodbury and Bloomington locations as well as online.
Is trauma affecting you?
Questions to ask yourself
- Do certain people or places that remind you of the past cause anxiety or panic?
- Have you been experiencing chest tightness, a racing heartbeat, muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or fatigue?
- Have you turned to alcohol or other chemicals in an attempt to feel better?
Most People Have Experienced Some Form Of Trauma
Anytime we feel threatened, experience chronic overwhelm/stress, or are subjected to circumstances outside of our control, trauma can result. Because trauma can be caused by such a wide variety of stressors, it is extremely common. In fact, nearly nine out of ten Americans are exposed to a traumatic event at some point in their lives.
Many people suffer from “complex trauma”—a type of trauma caused by early childhood experiences. This type of trauma can result from either something that did happen (such as abuse) or things that didn’t happen (as in cases of neglect or caregiver absence). For other people, a single experience such as a car accident or natural disaster can cause psychological trauma. Even something as common as chronic stress can be processed by the nervous system in the same way as emotional trauma.
Just as there are many causes of trauma, there are a wide variety of reactions to it. For some, traumatic experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties. For others, the effects of trauma are severe enough to be classified as PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder.
Without understanding how trauma works, attempting to face and overcome it alone can feel overwhelming and intrusive. This is especially true for people who have lived with their trauma for a long time or have tried unsuccessfully to get rid of it.
Fortunately for trauma sufferers, a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist can provide the understanding and self-compassion needed to transform a chaotic life experience into emotional stability and calm.
Take Back Control Of Your Life With Trauma Therapy
The symptoms of trauma can affect every area of your life. Before you can begin to manage them, you must first understand them. To begin your trauma treatment, we will explore your day to day symptoms, discussing what’s going well, what’s not, and how you’re currently functioning.
Therapy for childhood trauma or PTSD works in part by recognizing what is happening, understanding the effects of trauma on the brain and nervous system and learning skills to manage reactions. As you come to better understand your symptoms and where they come from, you will be able to view yourself and any unwanted behaviors with understanding, patience, and compassion.
The aftermath of trauma is similar to the experience of the fight/flight/freeze response, wherein the body physically responds to threats, reminders, or other triggers. Through a form of therapy called Somatic Experiencing®, we will help you to recognize the bodily signs of growing distress, such as a sudden tension in your neck or a quickening pulse. This awareness will serve as an opportunity to address your emotional state and bring your system back into balance.
You’ll also learn to use a variety of techniques, such as mindfulness and grounding exercises, that can deescalate thoughts and emotions before they become a full-blown anxiety or panic attack. If you’re like most people, gaining more control over your emotional state will reduce feelings of hopelessness you’ve been having.
Trauma therapy can also help you to identify and shift negative beliefs about yourself that have grown out of trauma, empowering you to shift your thoughts in a more realistic and positive direction. As your confidence grows, you’ll be better equipped to take steps to provide yourself with relief and personal growth. You may also see balance and affection restored to your relationships as you build a better relationship with yourself and your own strengths.
During each session, our experienced trauma therapists will support you to (re)learn to trust yourself and your own experiences to guide you to areas that are ready to be worked on. If you need the healing process to be slow and quiet, that’s OK. At the same time, your therapist will offer suggestions and guidance to ensure you make continual progress.
As you consider trauma therapy, you may wonder. . .
What if PTSD counseling doesn’t work?
If you’re like many people, there is a part of you that’s afraid to get your hopes up—especially if you’ve already had PTSD treatment in the past that didn’t work. But there is probably another part of you that is excited about the possibility of getting relief.
We have seen so many people make life-changing recoveries that we believe transformative recovery from trauma is possible even in the most extreme cases. With the right guidance and support, you can work through the symptoms of your trauma (as well as the fear that therapy won’t work).
Is therapy worth the time and expense?
For many people, working with an experienced and nonjudgmental therapist makes a tremendous difference in their lives. Whether trauma-focused therapy will be worth it for you depends largely on the severity of your current symptoms. If feeling better and having more control over your life’s quality and trajectory is a priority for you, the time and money needed to complete therapy will be worth the investment.
I don’t want to re-traumatize myself
Well-paced therapy allows you to work on your issues without becoming overwhelmed. There may be times when therapy feels a bit uncomfortable, but it will be much easier to face your fears with the tools and emotional support we can provide.
You will learn to move in and out of your trauma in a safe way and at the right pace, all while your therapist facilitates and guides the progress in a way that feels safe and manageable.
Stop suffering and start healing
Trauma can affect every area of your life. Our trauma treatment center is a safe space for you to work on any issues you may have. If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to contact us.
Schedule An Appointment
Anxiety and trauma are treatable conditions. With support and guidance, you can take back control of your thoughts and emotions, giving you a new sense of calm and freedom. If you are ready to learn more, let’s schedule a free 30-minute consultation.