Recovery from Trauma and PTSD

“But I didn’t experience a trauma.”

“It didn’t affect me.” At least, not that you are aware.

Something bad has happened. You don’t think you have PTSD, but sometimes you lose control of your emotions. Suddenly all the pain and memories you thought you were “over” come rushing back.

You can’t sleep, you’re irritable, you cry frequently, and you’re worried it won’t stop.

I hear you; it’s a very normal reaction.

These situations were not trauma – really.

Events that happen to people every day – common situations, such as bullying, the loss of a loved one, a chronic medical condition, and many more – can impact your well-being. Maybe you question if your experience was really “that bad.”

Although the pain you are currently going through can be overwhelming, you are not weak for what you went through.

As humans, we will all experience trauma at one point in our lives – and for many it will be multiple occasions. Sometimes we do not realize it until decades later.

We can forget and bury these memories until something else triggers us into remembering all that fear and pain again.

I am here to support you in working past the life events that are holding you back.

What are trauma and PTSD?

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It can significantly change the way you think, behave, and feel day-to-day.

Those distressing memories – constant anxious thoughts that keep you up at night – are the result of experiencing a stressful life experience. You’re feeling overwhelmed, frequently sad without knowing why, and nervous when you are reminded of what happened.

These thoughts can also cause nightmares, flashbacks, or hypervigilance – feeling on edge and scared.

Some life-threatening and distressing events can include (but are not limited to) car accidents, assaults, natural disasters, abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. These events can cause distrust with those around us and remove our sense of safety in the world.

Not every experience will become Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “Trauma” is a subjective experience to the event, and everyone will respond differently. In therapy, we will not focus on the severity of the event but in how you are coping with it.

You are not alone.

Recovery from trauma IS possible.

Whether the tragic event happened years ago or recently, there are strategies and tools to help you regain balance in your life.

I will work with you to help you understand how these event(s) have impacted you and ways to relieve that burden.

You CAN feel better and get back to that life you’ve been wanting to live again.

What do you do in session?

I am a big believer in taking things slow in a supportive environment.

We’ll go at your pace, and we’ll structure our sessions to help you gain skills to be able to work through these events.

We will start by building trust and a space for you to speak freely without fear of judgment. You will learn ways to cope and gain skills to tackle the shame and doubt you have been feeling. And when you feel ready, we will confront the past.

With children, I utilize Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based modality that has shown significant improvement in the way children think, act, and feel about the past event and in their daily lives.

With adults, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a trauma-informed approach. I tailor our goals to your individual needs and work to help you confront the past while building skills to help you sleep better, think more clearly, and regain emotional balance.

Let’s talk about trauma.

I have seen many individuals recover from PTSD, history of trauma, and go on to be happy, successful, and rejuvenated through therapy.

Don’t waste any more time. Break free from the infinite replay.

Call me today at (954) 591-8441 to stop letting the past control you.