Are You Struggling With Difficult Emotions, Thoughts and Memories?

Do you feel anxious, on-edge, down, angry or ashamed, and wonder why? Have you experienced a series of disturbing events and are now plagued with flashbacks and fear? Maybe you can’t stop recalling the event or having disturbing dreams. You might find yourself frequently obsessing over past circumstances.

Perhaps the way you have been reacting to situations, physically and emotionally, has deteriorated. Do you find yourself snapping at people, or having extreme emotional reactions to simple situations? Do you find yourself avoiding people and activities that remind you of the trauma, and feel disconnected from others? Perhaps you are more irritable and prone to lashing out. Do you wish you could feel more comfortable in social situations and better equipped to handle internal and external conflicts?

Living with the after-effects of traumatic experiences can be an isolating, confusing and overwhelming experience. You may feel cut-off and wonder why everyone else seems able to form the kinds of lasting, loving relationships that elude you. Perhaps your intense emotions alarm you, and you sometimes find yourself exploding in anger, which further damages important relationships or your career. Even if you know you’ve experienced or witnessed upsetting and disturbing events, you still don’t understand how they’d impact your current situation, especially if it happened long ago. Perhaps you are concerned that others will perceive you as unreliable and won’t trust you to help them if they knew what you’re going through. You might think that this is just the way you are and believe you could never find relief.

Many People Become Stuck in the Aftermath of Trauma

If you are struggling to feel safe in your life and confident in yourself following a traumatic experience, you are not alone. In fact, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects an estimated 5 million people. PTSD affects each individual in a different way and can be caused by various events, including natural disasters, war, car accidents, the loss of a loved one, sexual abuse and abuse or neglect during childhood. You may be struggling with symptoms of PTSD if you grew up in an unstable home or if you have been exposed to a chaotic, un-nurturing environment. Maybe you experienced a combination of these factors. Or, you may feel unsure why you are feeling overwhelmed in the present.

Modern research has led to a greater understanding of the brain’s plasticity – the ability of the brain to change, especially when faced with overwhelming challenges, danger or pain. If you faced years of developmental trauma as a child or adolescent or if you experienced a violent or frightening event, your brain likely responded in an attempt to preserve itself and protect you. Insomuch, the trauma you experienced and your brain’s subsequent response may have trained you to be hyper-vigilant, quick to respond with alarm or violence (verbal or physical) or to become fearful that danger is always present. PTSD overwhelms the brain with meanings and memories – they are too big and too much to simply process or “get over,” which means that this information often gets “stuck” within the mind and body. This is not your fault or an indication of any sort of personal or emotional failing on your part. The good news is that with the help of a trained trauma therapist, you can learn how to cope with PTSD by processing these painful memories, and experience resolution at a deeper level so you can enjoy greater peace in your life.

With PTSD Therapy, You Can Discover a New, More Open World

Regardless of the source or manifestation of PTSD in your life, the latest therapy techniques are extremely effective and can help you discover a sense of hope that you may have never thought possible. In our sessions, you don’t have to relive the pain of the traumatic experience in order to find healing. Rather, together we can restore your nervous system and rewire your brain to expand its capacity to experience balance, peace, and calm.

In PTSD counseling sessions, I will help you develop a variety of relaxation techniques that can help you engage in the present moment and better recognize the signals and sensations happening in your body. In a safe, supportive space, you can practice meditation, visualization and mindfulness, among other effective calming tools, that can help you feel more connected to your body and empowered to navigate challenging experiences with the most ease.

You can begin to process and release the negative memories and beliefs stuck in your mind and allow yourself to automatically enjoy other, more positive experiences in your life. Using these effective techniques and others, you can help your brain and body better recognize when you are not in danger – that you are in the present, not reliving the traumatic event – which is key to deep, lasting relief.

I am a compassionate, experienced therapist who will foster a nurturing, trusting therapeutic relationship with you. In sessions, we will move at your pace, so that you feel comfortable on each step along the way. In my experience,

I have found that PTSD therapy can help clients resolve the effects of a traumatic event in a single session. Once the brain is able to comprehend that the event is not actually happening anymore, it can redirect all the energy it has been spending protecting you, and instead, focus on healing your body and mind. Letting go of psychological trauma can help you discover a renewed focus and vibrancy for everything else in your life that you have been long looking for.

You are not your PTSD, and your experiences don’t mean that anything is wrong with you. Your symptoms are simply the natural result of your human brain reacting to traumatic events, and with guidance and new understanding, your brain can heal itself from the negative effects of the past. You can enter a soothing state of calm and feel relaxed and uplifted. And, as you move through the effects of PTSD, you are likely to find that your relationships and career, along with other aspects of your life, improve. With the help of counseling, so much in your life can change.

You may feel that PTSD therapy can help, but still have questions and concerns…

I think this is just the way I am.

Even if you have struggled with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, anger or other issues for your entire life, trauma therapy can help. You don’t have to settle for a lifetime of unhappiness, worry and pain. If you are willing to open yourself up to the counseling experience and trust in your capacity to heal, you can leave therapy feeling open and relaxed.

Trauma therapy is too expensive.

You are worth the investment in your long-term physical, mental and emotional well-being. PTSD therapy can help you feel free from triggers and more in control of your emotions, even when life seems difficult. With your intention, desire and potential to heal, you can find relief.

I’m worried that therapy will be a long, drawn-out process.

You will likely be surprised to discover how gently and quickly you experience great relief. We will take it one issue at a time, and every step we take can bring with it deeper understanding and clarity. If during our work together, we discover any other concurring issues or concerns, we can also work through those together to help you ease your symptoms. Denying or ignoring your memories, struggles and fears won’t help them go away. If you are ready to feel better, a brighter future is within your reach.

PTSD Therapy Can Help You Resolve the Pain of the Past

You don’t have to feel isolated, alone and stuck anymore. I invite you to call me at 281-693-1455 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation. You can ask me any questions you may have about PTSD therapy and my practice.