Trauma & EMDR Counseling Services
When people think of the word trauma they often think of trauma from active military duty and war or being involved in a catastrophic weather related incident. The truth is, trauma is much bigger than that.nnTrauma can involve a loss of control, betrayal, abuse of power, helplessness, pain, confusion, and/or loss. Trauma does not have to be an act of war, a natural disaster, or a personal assault. Trauma is any distressing or disturbing event that causes a person to feel so overwhelmed that their ability to cope can cause feelings of helplessness, and it can diminish their sense of self and ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences.nnBecause trauma affects each individual differently, and some have different ideas of what is traumatic, it is important to understand the difference between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder (ASD), and having a trauma reaction (4 Ts). Whether you have an official diagnosis of PTSD or you are having traumatic responses such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, there are treatments that can help you heal, such as EMDR.
Abuse
Physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and spiritual abuse all alter a person's self-worth. Abuse can cause victims to feel isolation, fear, and distrust which can lead to lifelong psychological consequences. If left untreated these symptoms can manifest as educational difficulties, low-self esteem, depression, anxiety, and trouble forming and maintaining relationships.
Grief
Grief is one of the most difficult emotions to understand and to manage. Grief does not always include the death of someone we love. It also includes the loss of anything that we had strong feelings for. Such as a job, a relationship, a pet, moving away from the only home you've ever known, or leaving your school and your friends. Grief is confusing, upsetting, painful, and sometimes traumatic.
Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by the experience of a distressing event. When symptoms last more than a month and they seriously affect the individual's ability to function, it is likely they are experiencing PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can be sadness, anger, denial, fear, and shame. Untreated PTSD can cause nightmares, insomnia, difficulty with relationships, emotional outbursts, nausea, dizziness, altered sleep patterns, changes in appetite, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a well researched and effective method of therapy that helps people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. It is a safe treatment for children, teens, and adults of all ages.nnEMDR therapy helps the brain process distressing memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.nnAttention will be given to a negative image, belief, emotion, and body sensation related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions.