“It’s not something wrong with you, it’s something wrong with what happened to you.”
Trauma is NOT Something Wrong with YOU!
You are surrounded by friends but you feel isolated and disconnected. Even the most intimate moments with your partner feel distant. You love your kids but you don’t really feel that either. And no matter what you do or where you are, you never really feel safe. Maybe you find yourself suddenly in a sweat with your heart pounding or even having flashbacks. Sometimes what is happening around you today feels like it is someone else’s life and you are back in time at some event that derailed your life, at least on the inside. The question that constantly looms in the back of your mind is “what is wrong with me?
It’s not something wrong with you. It’s something wrong with what happened to you. All of those experiences described above are NORMAL responses to overwhelming stress...what is called traumatic stress. And many people live with the symptoms of traumatic stress for years without realizing that is what it is, or that it is TREATABLE. You may also experience anxiety or depression or you may have even been diagnosed with another mental health issue but you know that your symptoms started after a traumatic experience. There are many manifestations of traumatic stress.
Got trauma? Take this free quiz to learn more.
What Causes Trauma?
While many would associate combat exposure, or rape or serious car accident with PTSD, trauma symptoms can show up in other types of experiences as well. For instance, growing up with a parent with a substance abuse issue or mental health issue can lead to trauma symptoms because as a child your nervous system was frequently overloaded by experiences that you were too young to handle on your own. Being in an unhealthy romantic relationship has a similar effect, which my clients often described as “walking on eggshells.” If you have had a spouse who has been unfaithful. you are well aware of how traumatic that experience is. And if you are struggling with chronic illness or autoimmune disease please check out the information about the connection between trauma and illness. It is not in your head! Trauma impacts your nervous and immune systems. Whatever the specifics of your traumatic experience, please know that there is hope and help!
How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
You can reconnect the shattered parts of your nervous system with support. I can help your brain process the traumatic experience and digest it so that it is no longer hijacking your nervous system and causing all of these disturbing experiences for you.
We will use a variety of techniques depending on the trauma you experienced or how old you were when you experienced it. We may use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for part or most of your treatment. We may work with a wounded inner child part that experienced something early in life. We will use techniques that will help you get in touch with yourself first and learn to trust your own intuition. As that strengthens you will find that it becomes easier to begin to connect with and trust others. If you have had difficulty with attracting the same “type” over and over we can work on that as well. You can’t change how frequently you encounter “that type” but you can certainly learn to listen to your instincts and not waste your time and energy on someone who will not be a healthy partner for you.
You can have a happy, connected, rich, vibrant life. I will be your partner on this incredible journey of healing and transformation. You are worth it! Request your free initial consultation today. Find out if we’re a good match!
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
THERAPY FOR PAIN AND CHRONIC ILLNESS
Living with pain and chronic illness can be isolating physically and emotionally. Often people with chronic pain and illness also experience depression and even post traumatic symptoms. These mental health issues can in turn make physical symptoms worse. Our counselors have real life experience with pain and chronic illness and therapies that can relieve the psychological symptoms and, in many cases, reduce physical symptoms as well.
COUNSELING FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA
Survivors of sexual trauma often experience lingering symptoms years or even decades later. You may have thought you put it behind you, only to have it resurface. Many women report sexual trauma resurfacing after the birth of a child. Our counselors have specialized training to help you not only be a survivor, but to overcome and thrive in spite of what happened to you.
HEALING FROM RELATIONSHIP TRAUMA
Not only is it difficult to trust again after being betrayed by someone who said they loved you, it’s difficult to trust yourself. And if you have had more than one relationship with a narcissist or abusive individual, you may be wondering if it is something wrong with you. It’s not something wrong with you. We can help you have the confidence to enter into relationships and to know how to protect yourself from abusers in the future. Let us help you learn to trust yourself again.
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
Counseling methods consistent with Scripture.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“We are wounded in relationships and we heal in relationships. ”
COUNSELING FOR TEENS & ADOLESCENTS
Adolescents is a time that pulling away from parents is developmentally important, but this can put teens at risk of not talking about serious problems. Therapy can be a safe place for teens to open up, to talk about the issues they don’t want parents to “freak out'“ about, and get the guidance they need to develop positive life skills with regard to their mental health.
COUNSELING FOR STRESS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC & RACIAL ISSUES
2020 was a difficult year for our nation and the world, but the real toll has been on individuals, on people. And 2021 has gotten off to a rough start. Those who have lost friends or loved ones to illness are the casualties. Those who have been painted a certain way by media because of the color of their skin, the uniform they wear or the political party they support. We are here to help. Our hearts go out to those suffering. Give us a call. Free assessment for depression, anxiety and stress.
Trauma is not something wrong with you. It is something wrong with what happened to you. Click the image above to learn more about how I can help you overcome trauma.