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TRAUMA WORK AND PTSD TREATMENT
trauma work vs. ptsd treatment
Not all trauma work is PTSD treatment, but trauma work could be PTSD treatment if PTSD criteria is met after a traumatic event. Trauma is subjective to an extent. If an event(s) felt deeply distressing, disturbing, or threatening, then the event(s) may have been traumatic. In order to meet criteria for PTSD, the event(s) must have resulted in actual or threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence. PTSD is a specific phenomenon that may happen after a traumatic event. It is understood as a normal reaction to an abnormal event; the brain's attempt to make order from chaos. PTSD is characterized by intrusive symptoms, persistent avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event, hyperarousal symptoms, and changes in thinking, beliefs and mood. Trauma can affect us in profound ways regardless of whether you develop PTSD or not. Only a mental health professional can diagnose you with PTSD.
PTSD VS. C-PTSD
PTSD is a response to a traumatic event whereas Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a response to a traumatic environment. C-PTSD is not currently recognized in the DSM-5-TR.
types of trauma I work with
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Suicide and other traumatic loss
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Medical trauma
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Childhood trauma
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Sexual trauma
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Psychological abuse
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LGBTQA+ trauma
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Motor vehicle and other accidental traumas
MY APPROACH
This is individual and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to trauma work. However, trauma work often involves learning emotion regulation and interpersonal skills, somatic work, and processing the emotional and mental impact of the traumatic event(s) as it pertains to your understanding of yourself, others, and the world - past, present, and future. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is my first-choice modality for treating PTSD and alleviating distress from traumatic memories. Even clients who have been in therapy for years report feeling relief in different and notable ways after EMDR compared to other forms of therapy. I am also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma if EMDR isn't right for you.
emdr
EMDR is an eight-phase protocol that is widely accepted as a treatment of choice by national and international trauma treatment institutions and is continuously supported in multiple controlled studies.​
EMDR helps to reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and contained environment, reduce distress, alleviate symptoms, and cultivate greater compassion and understanding for yourself and others. EMDR is grounded in the belief that our brains have an innate capacity to heal from emotional and psychological distress.
The 8 Phases of EMDR involve taking a history, making a treatment plan, learning coping skills and building up resources, reprocessing traumatic memories, and increasing willingness to be in the here and now with thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. ​
Studies have shown that trauma survivors show a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms after just 3 sessions. However, the length of EMDR varies greatly person-to-person and I cannot say exactly how long it will take for you. Some of my clients complete the 8 phases of treatment in 6-8 sessions while others complete the 8 phases of treatment in 26-30 sessions. ​
Research shows that tele-health is an effective modality for doing EMDR.
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