Trauma Therapy and PTSD Treatment

Trauma Therapy and PTSD Treatment in Colorado

PTSD is stopping you from living a fulfilled life.

You’re tired of the memories playing over and over in your mind.

Some days you feel trapped in your own body, unable to escape.

You don’t want to die, but you would be lying if you said you never thought about ending it all Some days the pain is too overwhelming.

The sleepless nights are the worst part. It is difficult to fall asleep. When you do finally get to sleep, you wake up frightened by another nightmare.

Finally, when you think you are having somewhat of a decent day, out of nowhere, something triggers
the past, and you are flooded with anxiety, sadness, and fear.

It feels impossible to experience true happiness and joy. You are always faking it, pretending that you are not struggling inside.

You push through and ignore the pain; it’s exhausting. You do not want to live like this anymore.

You are done allowing the past to hold you back. It is time to move forward and make changes.

You want to find healing.

Trauma Therapy and PTSD Treatment can help.

You’ve been living like this for so long, and it is hard for you to imagine that things could ever change. It sounds crazy, but you have some fear of finding healing. The very thing you long for is the same thing you’re afraid of.

I am here to tell you healing is possible. Why? Because I have seen it happen. I have seen it happen in my own life and in the lives of my clients. When you feel like overcoming your trauma is hopeless, I will hold hope for you.

Also, I want to say it is normal to be afraid of healing. Healing and making positive changes in your life, though desirable, can feel scary. I will hold that for you as well. We will work through that fear one step at a time.

Trauma Therapy is not easy.

This will be difficult work. It may feel too slow or too painful, and you might want to quit. But a good trauma therapist will help you through all the noise and give you the tools to work through the mess.

You are wondering if you have PTSD. Below I will discuss common symptoms of PTSD.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder

Humans are complex, and trauma impacts everyone differently; therefore, symptoms of PTSD can be experienced differently in individuals based on different factors. As an online trauma therapist, I will take a closer look at your symptoms during the initial assessment to determine if you meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

Common PTSD symptoms include:

Re-experiencing. Re-experiencing symptoms occur when parts of the trauma memory are relived. This includes flashbacks (reliving the trauma as though it is happening in the here and now), nightmares, visual images, intense anxiety connected to the trauma, and intrusive thoughts and physical reactions.

Avoidance. Avoidance is attempting to stay away from anything that will trigger memories from the traumatic event. Avoiding may give some relief at the moment; however, avoiding does not get rid of PTSD. In fact, avoidance can increase symptoms, and avoidance behavior can increase – avoiding more and more people, places, and situations.

Hyperarousal. The feeling of always being on high alert for danger. Always on guard and wary of your surroundings, though, an environment is safe. Hyperarousal includes high anxiety, irritability, anger outburst, and difficulty sleeping.

People can experience these symptoms days after a traumatic event. Some experience these symptoms for months and even years. Those who have PTSD can have other co-occurring issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and anxiety.

Do you have to have PTSD to engage in Trauma Therapy?

No, you do not have to have PTSD to engage in trauma therapy. Some people who have experienced a traumatic event or multiple traumatic events do not develop PTSD. Trauma can still negatively impact someone even if they have not developed PTSD.

Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and more can develop because of a traumatic event(s).

Was What Happened to me Even Traumatic?

When people think of a traumatic event, they usually think of war veterans, rape, natural disasters, physical abuse, and a bad car accident. Therefore, many dismiss their experience as traumatic; because it was not as “bad” as being physically beaten.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is any experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. There are big T traumas and little t traumas. Big T traumas are life-threatening experiences or the witnessing of a life-threatening event of a loved one. Little t traumas include being bullied, verbal and emotional abuse, absent parents, experiencing intense transitions, going through a bad break up, very critical parents, etc…

It is important to note that big T traumas do not have more significance than a little t trauma.

Check out the beyond trauma podcast episode What is Trauma to learn more.

What to expect in Trauma Therapy and PTSD Treatment

The first thing to establish in PTSD treatment is a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is an ongoing process, but I take a lot of time and care in the beginning to build a good rapport.

Research has shown that people have the most success in therapy when they trust their therapist and have a good connection.

Second, you will be provided with psychoeducation on trauma and how trauma has impacted you. Knowledge is power. It is powerful when we can understand the why behind our behavior.

Third, you will be given the tools and skills to cope with trauma symptoms. You will learn how to calm your anxiety, stay grounded, improve sleep, and cope with nightmares. In this process, you will gain insight and feel empowered to do the deep work.

Lastly, the hard stuff. This part is going back to the trauma and allowing yourself to process the trauma and confront it. As an online trauma therapist, I offer few approaches for treating PTSD.

Amanda Conroy’s approach to treating Trauma and PTSD.

I utilize evidence methods for supporting my clients in healing from trauma. Therapeutic interventions I am trained in are:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is not used to process trauma, but it is used at the beginning of trauma treatment. DBT offers many tools and skills to cope with and manage emotional distress, interpersonal conflict; and helps the stabilization of up and down emotions. DBT will help you reduce vulnerability and communicate needs.

Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a popular therapeutic approach for treating trauma and has gained a lot of traction. EMDR utilizes bilateral movement to help the brain process and heal from traumatic memories. In EMDR you do not have to talk details about your trauma. To learn more check out my EMDR therapy page.

Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is a trauma approach designed to treat children and teens. However, this approach can be used for adults as well. TF-CBT uses Trauma narration to process traumatic events. This approach involves writing the trauma memory down and telling the story. This approach helps desensitization to emotional intensity and corrects inaccurate cognitions that developed due to the traumatic experience.

Is online counseling for Trauma and PTSD effective?

Yes. Honestly, I was so surprised about the effectiveness of online trauma therapy. I have always been doubtful of online counseling, but after being forced into it this past year, I learned I was wrong to doubt its effectiveness. Now, I offer online trauma therapy only.

There are many benefits of online counseling.

What is holding you back from trauma therapy and PTSD Treatment?

I am scared I will be retraumatized if I talk about the past.

Even the thought of therapy and opening up makes you feel anxious and frozen in place.
It is normal to feel fearful. I see you.

You will not start therapy talking about the details of your trauma. You will be able to go at your pace. Trauma therapy is a step-by-step process. The goal is to equip you and empower you to do the hard stuff.

I will honor those parts of you that are fearful and reluctant to trust.

Begin Trauma therapy and PTSD treatment in Colorado

You are capable of doing this work, and healing is possible. I have hope for you. It is time to stop letting the past control you; schedule your free 20-minute phone consultation today. Want to learn more about the counseling process? Check out my getting started page.

I look forward to connecting with you.

Other Online Counseling Services at Amanda Conroy Counseling

I do not just offer trauma therapy and PTSD treatment. Other counseling services are:

• EMDR Therapy
• Christian Counseling
• Teen Counseling
  
• Anxiety Treatment