Trauma Therapy
Many people will experience trauma in their lifetime, whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster.
While most people recover from trauma with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resilience over time, others may discover that the effects of lasting trauma can cause them to live with emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress long after the event has passed.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist are fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma symptoms
The following list of symptoms can provide you with a brief understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder. You can also have what is called subthreshold (not having all of the symptoms) response to trauma where not all, but some of the symptoms are present. Other reactions to trauma such as anxiety and depression can also occur.
Avoidance symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event.
- Avoidance of thoughts, memories or feelings that are reminders of the trauma.
- Numbness or guilt.
Re-experiencing symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts or nightmares.
- Emotional distress of physical reactions that remind you of the trauma.
- Feeling like the trauma is happening again.
Hyperarousal symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event.
- Avoidance of thoughts, memories or feelings that are reminders of the trauma.
- Numbness or guilt.
Negative mood and cognition symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts or nightmares.
- Emotional distress of physical reactions that remind you of the trauma.
- Feeling like the trauma is happening again.
Psychotherapy for treating trauma
Research has proven that psychotherapy is the most effective form of treatment for the fallout of trauma. The interventions with the most research support include the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy’s (CBT).
Recovery includes effective exposure-based treatments. I provide two of these forms of intervention called Prolonged Exposure and Written Exposure Therapy, both evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. I also use ACT to enhance these interventions.
I am currently conducting services via telehealth and I am licensed in California. License number: 17744.
If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I invite you to contact me.