Are racing thoughts and worrying keeping you up at night?
Do you have unreasonable fears that hold you back?
Do you find yourself either overreacting or feeling disconnected and numb?
Does your past keep coming up and wreak havoc in your emotions and your current life?
EMDR therapy for trauma and PTSD provided by our EMDR therapists in NC can help with
addressing symptoms, bringing relief and resolution!
What is trauma?
SAMHSA defines trauma as events or circumstances that have lasting negative effects on a person’s well-being physically, emotionally, socially, and/or spiritually.
There are actually two categories of trauma. We call it the big T and the small t.
Big “T” traumas are the events most commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including war, natural disasters, accidents, serious injuries, sexual violence, physical abuse, or other life-threatening experiences.
Small “t” traumas are distressing events that affect people on a personal level but don’t fall into the big “T” category. Examples of small “t” trauma include non-life-threatening injuries, incidents of rejection, growing up in an invalidating environment, death of a pet, being made fun of, and loss of significant relationships.
What are the common symptoms of trauma?
Negative effects can be a result of direct exposure to a traumatic event. Learning about traumatic events that happened to someone close to you or experiencing repeated exposure to trauma through work such as first responders and nurses can also lead to trauma responses or symptoms. People can develop PTSD due to those exposures.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), the symptoms of PTSD generally fall into the following categories, although people may experience different symptoms with varying severity.
- Intrusive and unwanted memories of the trauma (such as thoughts, images, and dreams/nightmares), flashbacks where people feel like they are reliving the traumatic event, and emotional distress
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma or triggers
- Negative changes in beliefs and emotions, such as not being able to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event, extreme negative beliefs about oneself. others, or the world, persistent depression, anxiety, anger, or shame, feeling detached from others, and not being able to experience positive emotions
- Uncharacteristic or unsafe behaviors, such as angry outbursts with little or no provocation, reckless or self-destructive behaviors, hypervigilance, and sleep difficulties.
People who have experienced early childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events such as domestic violence can develop, what some researchers and therapists call, Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), which is not yet a mental health diagnosis recognized by DSM. Complex PTSD encompasses a lot of the same symptoms as PTSD but also carries marked differences or additional symptoms, such as:
- chronic feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
- feeling as if you are permanently damaged or worthless
- Constant feelings of shame
- feeling as if you are completely different to other people
- feeling confused about yourself and/or your emotions
- avoiding relationships, or finding them very difficult
- often experiencing dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization or derealization
- physical symptoms, such as headaches, chest pains and stomach upsets
Click here to learn more about how EMDR can help with complicated trauma.
How can traumatic events affect a person?
Not everyone who experiences traumatic events develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or meet the full criteria for PTSD. However, trauma can have a major impact on a person’s brain, their ways of seeing themselves, other people, and the world, their sense of safety, how they regulate their emotions, and their outlook for the future.
However, it is possible to cope with the negative effects of trauma, to heal and move on, and even to grow as a person which some researchers call posttraumatic growth.
How trauma counseling and PTSD treatment in NC can help:
Engaging with a helping professional in trauma counseling can be a great step toward healing. There are several treatments proven effective for treating trauma and PTSD symptoms. Counseling in Charlotte has experienced trauma therapist who is trained in those evidence-based modalities. We have helped clients gain relief from distressing trauma and PTSD symptoms, learn from what happened, and experience hope and joy again.
Our approaches may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidenced based method focused on connections between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and body sensations. Our trauma therapist can assist in examining and targeting these connections to provide symptom relief. Our therapists may also use gradual exposure as appropriate to help in extinguishing the alarm response present in trauma and anxiety.
DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is a skills based therapy that is trauma informed and can be helpful for anxiety and mood symptoms. It teaches skills related to mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing) is another evidenced based trauma therapy that helps to reprocess the trauma to resolve the associated negative emotions, and to change the negative beliefs on an emotional level.
Common questions about Trauma Couseling
What is trauma counseling?
Trauma counseling is a therapeutic approach focused on helping individuals cope with and recover from traumatic experiences. It aims to address the emotional and psychological impact of trauma, fostering healing and resilience.
What types of traumatic experiences can be addressed in counseling?
Trauma counseling can address a wide range of experiences, including but not limited to physical or sexual assault, accidents, natural disasters, grief, and childhood trauma. It is tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
How do I know if I need trauma counseling?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as intrusive memories, nightmares, anxiety, depression, or difficulty functioning in daily life due to past traumatic events, trauma counseling may be beneficial. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine your needs.
How long does trauma counseling take?
The duration of trauma counseling varies for each individual. It depends on the nature and severity of the trauma, as well as the individual’s response to therapy. While some people might benefit from short-term initiatives, others might need longer-term assistance.
What can I expect in a trauma counseling session?
Trauma counseling sessions provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to explore their experiences. The therapist helps clients process emotions, develop coping strategies, and work towards post-traumatic growth. The pace and focus are determined collaboratively.
Can trauma counseling be done in a group setting?
Yes, group therapy can be an effective form of trauma counseling. It provides a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences, gain insights, and receive feedback from peers. Group therapy complements individual counseling.
Is trauma counseling only for recent traumatic events?
No, trauma counseling can be beneficial for recent and past traumatic events. Even if the trauma occurred many years ago, counseling can help individuals address lingering effects and work towards healing and recovery.
Will trauma counseling make me relive painful memories?
Trauma counseling aims to help individuals process memories in a safe and controlled way. Therapists use techniques to minimize distress, ensuring that individuals can explore their experiences without overwhelming emotions.
How do I find a qualified trauma counselor?
To find a qualified trauma counselor, you can ask for recommendations from healthcare providers, search online directories, or contact mental health organizations. It’s important to choose a counselor with experience in trauma and with whom you feel comfortable.
Start Trauma Counseling and PTSD Treatment in North Carolina
You don’t have to be held back by what happened to you. Trauma therapy can help you let go of the past, and feel more relaxed and confident in going towards your better future. Our NC-based therapy practice has caring and highly trained trauma therapist who specialize in trauma and PTSD treatment. Follow these simple steps to begin:
- Contact Mindspace Counseling
- Meet with one of our trauma therapists
- Start overcoming the impact of trauma, reconnecting with yourself and others, and experience hope and joy.
Other Counseling Services at Mindspace Counseling
Trauma therapy is not the only service we offer at our North Carolina-based therapy clinic. Other mental health services Mindspace Counseling provides include anxiety treatment, and perinatal mental health counseling. Let’s chat to figure out your best fit!
Main Areas and Towns Mindspace Counseling, PLLC Services in North Carolina: