"Unlike simple stress, trauma changes your view of your life and your self. It shatters your most basic assumptions about yourself and your world - "Life is good; I'm safe; People are kind"; I can trust others; The future is likely to be good" - and replaces them with feelings like - "The world is dangerous; I can't win; I can't trust other people; There's no hope."

- Mark Goulston MD

Most 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 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 lasting effects of trauma. This 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, and assistance of a professional therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.

Following are the four types of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5

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

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be used in treating trauma to aid in the healing process. If you or someone you know is experiencing the trauma symptoms listed above, please reach out today to schedule your first appointment or a complimentary consultation.

"Trauma is a fact of life. It doesn't, however, have to be a life sentence."

- Peter A. Levin

We can meet either online or in person at one of our offices near where you live or work, whichever is more convenient for you.