Trauma Therapy
Are You Feeling Triggered And Disturbed By Unwelcome Memories From The Past?
Do you often feel unsafe or hypervigilant, even in “normal” everyday situations?
Are you struggling with flashbacks or intrusive thoughts related to negative past experiences?
Is a sense of shame keeping you from opening up, making decisions, or feeling confident in yourself?
Oftentimes, when trauma visits us, it comes in the form of self-critical thoughts, unwanted physical sensations, flashbacks, and feelings of shame and unsafety. It’s common to ruminate on worst-case scenarios or obsess over what we should have done differently. As a result, we end up blaming ourselves for what happened, developing the belief that the circumstances of a painful experience were somehow in our control.
Due to this, we might start believing that we can control our surroundings. Even if we’re in an otherwise safe and familiar environment, we might find ourselves engaging in a stress response—otherwise known as fight, flight, or freeze—because we perceive a threat that isn’t actually there.
Alongside these symptoms, trauma can show up as physical symptoms of muscle tension, pain, and sleeping problems. It can also impact our relationships by creating a sense of distrust, avoidance, and emotional withdrawal. Trauma has a way of making us doubt ourselves, which, in turn, can cause us to question everyone—and everything—else around us.
Alongside these symptoms, trauma can show up as physical symptoms of muscle tension, pain, and sleeping problems. It can also impact our relationships by creating a sense of distrust, avoidance, and emotional withdrawal. Trauma has a way of making us doubt ourselves, which, in turn, can cause us to question everyone—and everything—else around us.
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What Is Trauma And How Does It Impact Us?
In many ways, trauma is a universal experience—we’ve all been in situations that make us feel on edge or unsafe. Some traumatic events are more intense than others, and depending on an individual’s resilience and support system, there is the potential of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD affects individuals of all ages and can develop from any kind of traumatic situation, even those that aren’t dangerous or life-threatening.
Some common examples of traumatic experiences may include domestic violence, abuse of any kind (whether physical, sexual, or emotional), adverse childhood experiences, bullying, assaults, accidents, illnesses, war experiences, and natural disasters. Trauma can also develop from common experiences like witnessing violence, losing a loved one, or assimilating to a new culture (especially if systemic racism and xenophobia are present). PTSD does not develop in every instance of trauma, but feelings of anxiety and shame are prevalent among survivors of all backgrounds.
Unfortunately, sometimes we are not equipped with the skills necessary for handling stressors and regulating emotions. It is difficult to accept and identify our experiences as being traumatic, and many of us feel pressure to overcome challenges without outside help. But therapy can be a meaningful opportunity to receive the healing support of an experienced clinician who specializes in trauma.
Psychological Wellbeing Is A Trauma-Informed Therapy Practice
My role in counseling for trauma is to create a comfortable environment where you can feel safe and vulnerable to share your experiences. Approaching your presenting concerns from a place of validation and empathy, we can begin to peel back the layers of your symptoms and identify the root cause of your distress.
As you develop more awareness of trauma-related challenges, we will then work together to create individualized goals for treatment. Along the way, I will teach you about trauma’s impact on the mind and body so that you can learn concrete skills for coping and regulation.
What To Expect
My trauma therapy services are available online via telehealth. Hopefully, this will reinforce a sense of safety as you receive treatment from a familiar place. From there, we will determine which counseling approaches to use for your unique trauma and/or PTSD symptoms.
One of the tools we can use in trauma treatment is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is a gentle body-based method that works by targeting core memories and guiding the body in reprocessing them. We will also likely draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to restructure negative beliefs and Narrative Therapy to identify and externalize your emotions from different perspectives.
With this comprehensive approach—alongside mindfulness exercises that will help you become present and aware in the moment—you can learn to stop living in the past. By accepting what is, you can overcome disruptive symptoms, propel your life forward, and thrive.
Still Unsure If A Therapist Can Help You Overcome Your Trauma?
I am scared to open up about painful, traumatic memories from my life.
It is completely understandable that you might be intimidated or scared to share details about your traumas with a therapist you don’t know. However, my main intention is to ensure that you feel safe in the counseling space; I will never judge you about anything you bring to therapy.
Furthermore, you always hold the power in this process. If you need to stop or slow down at any time, just let me know, and I will offer strategies for regulating your emotions in a way that will allow you to feel safe.
How long will I be in therapy for trauma?
Since every client’s experience of trauma is different, it is difficult to predict how many counseling sessions will be necessary. Many factors impact the duration of treatment, including the complexity of your trauma, the engagement of coping skills outside of the counseling space, and the consistency of therapy sessions. As such, I will check in with you regularly to evaluate your progress.
Live In The Present And For The Future—Instead Of At The Mercy Of The Past
If anxiety and emotional dysregulation have impacted your ability to be present, there may be unresolved trauma at the core of your symptoms. To find out more about my approach to therapy for trauma or to schedule a session, contact me. All of my services are done online and available to residents throughout Colorado and New Mexico.
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Trauma Therapy Denver, CO
44 Cook St #100,
Denver, CO 80206
Trauma Therapy Albuquerque, NM
500 Marquette Ave NW Ste 1200,
Albuquerque, NM 87102