Trauma Therapy
What is Trauma? Trauma refers to any event or series of events that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leaving them feeling helpless, threatened, or in extreme distress. Trauma is a complex and deeply personal experience that can have a profound impact on a person’s life. It can result from various sources such as accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, or witnessing traumatic events.
Trauma can have lasting effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It may manifest in a range of symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, guilt, shame, or feelings of detachment.
- Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts that reoccur involuntarily.
- Hyperarousal: Persistent feelings of being on edge, easily startled, or having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Avoidance: Avoiding triggers or situations that remind one of the traumatic event.
- Negative Beliefs: Self-blame, loss of trust in others, or a sense of diminished self-worth.
- Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or changes in appetite or weight.
Shauna provides a compassionate and individualized approach to trauma therapy. Some common therapeutic modalities I employ include:
- Trauma-focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach helps individuals identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with trauma. It aims to provide effective coping strategies and promote healing.
- Somatic Experiencing (SE): SE focuses on the body’s physical sensations and responses to trauma, facilitating the release of stored tension and promoting a sense of safety and regulation.
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Incorporating mindfulness techniques helps individuals develop present-moment awareness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation skills.
I work to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences and emotions at your own pace. Through the therapeutic relationship, individuals can gain insight, develop coping strategies, and ultimately find healing and resilience.
Types of Trauma
Types of Mental Health Trauma
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting effects on a person’s mental and emotional well-being. It can result from a wide range of situations, and individuals may react to trauma differently. These are some common types of trauma that Shauna has experience in treating:
- Emotional or Psychological Trauma: Emotional trauma often results from distressing life events such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. These experiences can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.
- Childhood Trauma: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-lasting effects on mental health. These may include neglect, physical or emotional abuse, or parental substance abuse. Childhood trauma can contribute to a range of mental health issues in adulthood.
- Natural Disasters: Trauma can also result from natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods. Survivors may develop symptoms of acute stress or PTSD.
- Accidents and Near-Death Experiences: Surviving a near-death experience or a serious accident can lead to trauma. Individuals may experience flashbacks, anxiety, or depression.
- Loss and Grief: The death of a loved one or significant life losses can be traumatic. Grief can manifest in many ways, and it’s essential to seek support during this challenging time.
- Cultural and Collective Trauma: Events like wars, genocide, or mass disasters can impact entire communities or cultures, leading to collective trauma. While it is important to acknowledge and address this type of trauma on a societal level, I will help you unpack the effects of this complex trauma type on your life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, seeking help is essential. Remember that healing is a journey, and there is hope for a brighter future. You don’t have to go through it alone; reach out and ask a question or make an appointment. Shauna will walk the healing road with you.
Healing from Medical Trauma
Healing from Medical Trauma: Rediscover Resilience and Empowerment
What is medical trauma? Medical trauma refers to the distressing or overwhelming events that occur during medical treatment or healthcare encounters. It can encompass a wide range of experiences, such as invasive procedures, medical errors, unexpected outcomes, prolonged hospitalizations, chronic illness diagnoses, or witnessing traumatic events in medical settings. These events can leave a lasting impact on individuals, leading to various emotional and psychological responses.
If you’ve experienced medical trauma, it’s essential to recognize that your reactions and symptoms are valid and understandable. People may respond to medical trauma differently, but some common reactions include:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, or heightened fear related to medical environments or procedures.
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks of the traumatic event.
- Emotional distress, including sadness, anger, guilt, or shame.
- Avoidance behaviors, such as skipping medical appointments or refusing necessary treatments.
- Hypervigilance towards physical sensations or health concerns.
- Trust issues with healthcare providers or the medical system.
Shauna believes in a holistic and personalized approach to healing. The goal is to help you regain a sense of safety, resilience, and empowerment. The therapeutic process includes:
- Establishing a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship where you can share your experiences without judgment.
- Validating your emotions and providing a space for you to process and make sense of your trauma.
- Developing coping strategies to manage anxiety, panic, or other distressing symptoms related to medical triggers.
- Utilizing trauma-focused therapies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulnenss-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Somatic Experiencing (SE) to address traumatic memories and promote healing.
- Exploring self-care practices and techniques to rebuild trust in yourself and the healthcare system.
Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, if necessary, to ensure comprehensive care for your physical and mental well-being.
CPTSD
Understanding Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
What is CPTSD?
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a psychological condition that can arise from prolonged exposure to traumatic events, particularly where escape or relief seems impossible. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single event, CPTSD is typically associated with long-term trauma such as chronic abuse, captivity, or prolonged domestic violence.
Signs and Symptoms of CPTSD
Recognizing CPTSD can be challenging as its symptoms are diverse and can vary significantly among individuals. Some common signs include:
- Emotional Regulation Difficulties: Intense emotional responses, persistent sadness, explosive anger, or subdued emotions (emotional numbness).
- Distorted Self-Perception: Feelings of helplessness, shame, guilt, or being completely different from others.
- Interpersonal Difficulties: Problems in sustaining relationships, mistrust, or a preoccupation with the abuser.
- Preoccupation with the Traumatizer: This can include preoccupation with revenge or giving the abuser power over one’s life.
- Persistent Negative State: Ongoing feelings of hopelessness, despair, or depression.
- Detachment from Reality: Dissociation, or feeling detached from one’s body or thoughts.
- Avoidance: Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind one of the traumatic experience.
- Hypervigilance: An enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats.
Long-term Effects
If left unaddressed, CPTSD can lead to a range of long-term issues such as severe anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and a variety of physical health problems due to prolonged stress.
Call to Action: Seek Help from Shauna, LCPC
If you or someone you know is showing signs of CPTSD, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Shauna, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at Ironwood Counseling, is experienced in dealing with the complexities of CPTSD. With Shauna’s help, you can:
- Understand Your Experience: Gain a deeper understanding of your symptoms and the impact of your trauma.
- Learn Coping Strategies: Develop effective coping mechanisms to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Healing and Recovery: Work through traumatic memories and experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
- Rebuild Relationships: Learn skills to build and maintain healthy relationships.
- Empowerment: Rediscover your strength and resilience, moving towards a more empowered and hopeful future.
Taking the First Step
Reaching out for help is the first, and often the most challenging, step on the journey to recovery. By contacting Shauna Summers, LCPC, you’re not just seeking therapy; you’re taking a bold step towards reclaiming your life from the shadows of trauma.