Trauma and PTSD
I offer several different treatment options for those who have experienced trauma and/or have PTSD. Some options include EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
Trauma
Experiencing or witnessing a frightening, dangerous, or violent event can overwhelm our body’s natural coping abilities. Exposure to death, injury, abuse, or sexual violence often causes trauma. Other more common life events like job stress, divorce, or accidents can cause a trauma response as well. People respond to trauma in many different ways.
- 70% of adults have experienced a traumatic event*
- 90% of clients in mental health services have experienced trauma**
- Childhood trauma increases life long health risks***
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder – also known as PTSD – is a mental health challenge that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a terrorist act, an act of war, a serious accident, rape, or any other violent personal assault.
It is believed that PTSD affects nearly four percent of the U.S. adult population. While it is usually linked with veterans who’ve experienced combat, PTSD occurs in all people regardless of age, race, nationality, or culture. In fact, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD than men.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
People with PTSD often experience intense thoughts and feelings related to their traumatic experiences. These can last for a long time after the initial event. Many people with PTSD also relive the event through flashbacks and nightmares.
People with PTSD often feel intense emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and detachment from friends, family, and community members. They often avoid people and situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Ordinary sounds or incidents such as a door banging or accidental touch in a crowd may cause a strong and uncontrollable reaction.
*www.ptsdunited.org/ptsd-statistics-2/ **www.integration.smhasa.gov/clinical-practice/trauma ***www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/index.html