Trauma-Informed Counseling

What Trauma Looks Like?

Most people will experience physical or emotional trauma in their lifetime.

Sexual assault
Rape, molestation, incest,
Active Shooter events
Chronic rejection at home or by peers, bullying
Physical abuse (as a child or adult)
Intimate or domestic violence
Loss of one’s job, home, or loved ones
Loss of pets
Neglect as a child (insufficient food, shelter, clothes, medical attention)

Car accident
Abuse or neglect
Sudden death of a loved one
A violent criminal act; exposure to the violence of war
Experiencing a natural disaster
Emergency responders with chronic exposure to death, violence, or crises
Survivor of a friend or family member’s suicide
Witnessing a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s

While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress far after the event has passed.

In these circumstances, the support, guidance, expertise, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.

TRAUMA SYMPTOMS

Four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5 are:

Avoidance Symptoms

Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt

Re-experiencing Symptoms

Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks

Hyperarousal Symptoms

Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
Sleep disturbances

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
Change in habits or behavior since the trauma

Research has proven a combination of Trauma-Informed Counseling and Trauma Therapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident I can help. I invite you to contact me today for a Complimentary 15 Minute Consultation.