Trauma & PTSD Counseling

 

Moving forward after a traumatic event.

Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. However, trauma is relative by nature. For example, while catastrophic events such as natural disaster, combat, or a terrorist incident are traumatic, so is getting a divorce or losing a loved one. Even within this huge spectrum of traumatic experiences, everyone responds uniquely.

If you have lived through or witnessed something that was horrifying, put your life at risk, or made you feel negatively about yourself, you may likely benefit from trauma therapy.

Symptoms of Trauma & PTSD

When you experience a traumatic event, you may have an immediate or delayed response with mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. Your symptoms may subside as time passes or you may have lasting psychological issues stemming from your trauma.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one type of mental health condition that directly follows trauma. However, you may also develop other forms of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or other mental health conditions.

Symptoms may include:

 

  • Avoidance

  • Intrusive Memories/Flashbacks

  • Nightmares/Dreams

  • Dissociation

  • Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic events

  • Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world

  • Persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events

  • Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame

  • Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others

  • Inability to experience positive emotions.

  • Irritable or aggressive behavior

  • Reckless or self-destructive behavior

  • Hypervigilance

  • Exaggerated startle response

  • Problems with concentration

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep

 

Anyone can experience trauma or develop PTSD. It’s also important to remember that trauma is relative and that everyone has a unique response. You may have a shared experience with others, but they may not respond the same way that you do.

Types of Trauma

“T” Traumas

These include traumas such as sexual assault, physical abuse, life-threatening injuries or events. These also include threats to commit these acts, as well as witnessing such acts.

“t” Traumas

These traumas are events that are highly distressing, emotionally taxing, and cause intense and lasting emotional, physical and mental effects. With “t” traumas, it’s important to not look necessarily at the event itself, but at the effect that the event has on the individual. For example, when you are a victim of emotional invalidation from family members, you may experience distress and emotional invalidation - this is a “t” trauma.

Vicarious Trauma

When you are a witness of trauma whether via personal proximity (not being abused yourself, but witnessing or knowing of another family member being abused) or working with (such as counselors, ER workers, doctors, etc.) you may also experience trauma responses. This is called experiencing “vicarious trauma.”

Neither “T” or “t” traumas, or vicarious trauma is worse than the other – All experiences of trauma are valid, real and can result in the development of symptoms of PTSD/C-PTSD. All three can cause the same level of distress in someone.

Treatment for Trauma & PTSD

At Roubicek & Thacker Counseling, we want to help you navigate these complicated feelings and symptoms in order to build trust with yourself and those around you.

We specialize in helping others process their traumatic experiences while building the skills necessary to handle distressing events, and regulate our emotions to build our lives worth loving.

We provide a safe and validating environment in order for you to begin taking small steps to facing your trauma and taking back control of your life.