Therapy for Trauma

What is Trauma?

When you experience a terrible event that leaves a lasting impact on your mental and emotional stability you may end up traumatized. Normally, after the event, you will deal with shock and denial. If not managed, in the long run, trauma results in strained relationships, uncontrollable emotions, and flashbacks.

When this happens, you need to seek help to be able to deal with the stress caused by the traumatic event. This is where trauma therapy comes in to help you deal with your emotional response to a traumatic event.

What are the different types of trauma?

Acute trauma

The symptoms occur within the first 3 days of the incident and last no longer than 4 weeks.

Chronic trauma

The symptoms occur due to ongoing trauma and being impacted for an extended period of time.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The symptoms occur within the first three months and may continue years later which tend to significantly impact daily functioning, occupation, relationships and other important aspects in life.

Complex Trauma

When a person experiences multiple traumatic events, wide ranging, and ongoing for a long time. Traumatic events or situations are pervasive and severe in nature such as abuse or profound neglect.

What are the symptoms of those suffering from Trauma?

Traumatic events can lead to a person experiencing physical and/or psychological symptoms.

Physical symptoms: flashbacks, shock, crying, body pain, nightmares, shaking, hyperventilating, and insomnia.

Psychological symptoms: intrusive thoughts, dissociation, irritable mood, feeling on edge, hypervigilance, memory loss and self-isolation.

What is the cause

Some of the sources of trauma include rape, domestic violence, disasters, bullying, abuse, terrorism, and the death of a loved one or serious illness.

How is it diagnosed?

In order to be diagnosed with PTSD or other trauma disorder, the symptoms must meet diagnostic criteria for the condition. Speaking with the health care provider or mental health therapist about your symptoms you are experiencing will help determine whether you meet the criteria for a trauma.

What happens if left untreated?

If a person has experienced symptoms of trauma and is unable to cope or manage her/his emotions effectively, it can impact one’s personal life such as relationships, work, physical and mental health. Some people cope with trauma symptoms by abusing use, alcohol, smoking, or using other substances for a short term fix. Other negative outcomes of untreated trauma are depression, anxiety, isolation, hyper-vigilance, sleep problems, relationship issues, display outbursts/anger, and violent actions/abuse.

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma may be difficult to treat, particularly when it affects your mood, causes sleep difficulty, or leads to drug dependence. Trauma-focused therapy treats trauma. A trauma therapist uses various types of mental health therapy to help trauma victims, which may include but are not limited to:

Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy

Each individual experiences trauma differently, therefore trauma-focused therapy is not one particular treatment method. Therapies vary. Here at Blue Oak Counseling Services, we may utilize one kind alone or mix them to address your particular traumatic response. We may do an examination to determine the appropriate therapy for you.

What You Can Expect from Our Trauma Therapy Service

After a traumatic event, processing the experience and the emotions you feel is essential. This may seem frightening, but it's a powerful step towards analyzing your previous experiences, confronting your memories, and living a fulfilling life. Our trauma therapy assists you through this process. Our trauma-focused therapists may assist with this processing by uncovering problematic behavior patterns and resolving them to help you recover, eliminate your trauma-related symptoms, cope with your reality, improve your daily functioning, and empower you to take control of your present and future.

You Don't Have to Go Through it Alone. Let's Work Together!

It is critical to begin the trauma treatment process as soon as possible if you or a loved one is experiencing trauma or PTSD. Get help from trauma therapy experts here at Blue Oak Counseling Services before the symptoms create further complications. Connect with us now and we can make it through this together.

Call or contact us today and speak with one of our compassionate care providers to discover the available online treatment options