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Therapy for Trauma
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Therapy for Trauma
How we move through different stages of life, cultivate relationships, grow in our personal life, and find success and stability is highly dependent on our environment, upbringing, and experiences. If we focus on experiences, most can be categorized as either neutral, positive, or negative. On the extreme end of negative experiences are traumatic experiences. For reference, traumatic experiences are often unpredictable, uncontrollable, and painful. Some examples include (but aren't limited to):
- Natural Disasters
- War / Famine
- Abuse / Neglect at any age
- Car Accidents
- Rape / Sexual Assault
- Violent Crime or Altercations
- Mass Shooting / Terror Attack
- Work accidents / Injury
- Sudden Death of Loved One
When we feel threatened, our brain and body will automatically trigger the flight, fight, freeze, or fawn response. This response depends on the threat and factors like age, ability, and past experiences. The following are responses commonly seen during traumatic events:
- Fight: Increased heart rate, aggressive, flood of adrenaline
- Flight: Escape mentality, flood of adrenaline, increased heart rat, increased panic
- Freeze: Decreased heart rate, numbness in body, feeling immobile
- Fawn: Safer to submit or form a fake agreement to appease offender
The aftereffects of traumatic experiences can leave us completely overwhelmed. The flight, fight, freeze or fawn response is not meant to be triggered repeatedly. The process our brain and body go through during, and after, trauma happens automatically. Being unable to process the experience naturally is not something we control, we either can or cannot. The unprocessed trauma finds its way into re-experiencing either vivid memories or nightmares of the experience and this can happen without notice. These memories are so realistic that it can leave us on edge constantly.
Our trust in others and sense of safety in our environment may be violated. Changes in mood and cognition are common in people struggling with traumatic memories and can include an increase in anxiety, tearfulness, grief, irritability, lack of focus, and an inability to follow instructions. This change in our overall ability to move through our day can have devastating consequences.
The most common diagnosis associated with traumatic memories include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders including panic disorder, phobias and acute stress disorder. The treatment options can include medication, individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination. Our therapists at The Walk of Life Counseling Center are able to help you navigate the process of trauma treatment and our collaborative approach will leave you feeling supported and heard.
The mind and body crave balance and this can't be achieved if you are in a constant state of fear. We are here to help you process the traumatic memories and move forward in life without apprehension. The importance of quality treatment and effective solutions to get you back to feeling whole is our ultimate goal. If you are ready to put the past out of your present, contact us today and schedule a consultation to discuss treatment options.