What is PTSD/trauma therapy?
At Thriveworks, PTSD/trauma therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.
How does PTSD/trauma therapy work?
Our Thriveworks providers use PTSD/trauma therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.
Symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:
- Flashbacks and distressing memories of the traumatic event
- Nightmares and sleep disturbances
- Intense anxiety and irritability
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma
- Negative changes in mood and thought patterns
- Increased arousal, like difficulty concentrating or exaggerated startle response
How do you overcome PTSD triggers?
The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.
What type of therapist is best for PTSD?
In most cases, a therapist who specializes in PTSD/trauma therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.
Is PTSD/trauma therapy conducted in person or online?
PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long should you go to therapy for PTSD?
If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.
How successful is therapy for PTSD?
The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual's symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.
Need more help deciding?
Which events cause Trauma? What is Trauma?
When people hear “Trauma”, many think of the injured solider returning from battle, a child who has endured physical abuse, or possibly a college student whose handling the aftermath of a rape. These events are absolutely traumatic. What about a son or daughter whose parents recently divorced? Or the teenager that was in a car wreck, the mother who had a miscarriage, the man whose life was altered with a physical injury or the sudden breakup of a loved one? Do these people experience trauma?
Trauma is defined as, “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience”. Any and all of the events listed can be traumatic. Think of trauma on a spectrum of 1-100, with many degrees to it. Then, mix in an individual’s history, tolerance and level of support. This will throw the spectrum completely off! Clearly, the tricky part of trauma is that an event can be traumatic for one person and not another.
If a person experiences the symptoms of trauma, does it mean they are weak? Absolutely not! There are many factors that will impact the severity of symptoms of trauma:
- The level of support they have
- The amount of additional stress they are under when the trauma occurs
- The stress tolerance level they have with day to day events
- Previous history of traumatic events
What are the symptoms of trauma?
- Feeling helpless and out of control
- Anxiety in all areas or specific areas of life
- Difficult memories resurfacing throughout the day and night
- Difficult emotions resurfacing throughout the day
- Feeling disconnected, isolated.
- Difficulty in trusting others
Trauma causes physical symptoms as well:
- Sleeping patterns are thrown off. Inability to fall asleep and/or nightmares
- Difficulty focusing
- Body aches, Fatigue
- Inability to make decisions
- Irritation
- Fast heartbeat
What can a person do if they’ve had a traumatic event?
Remember any event that is deeply distressing and disturbing can be traumatic. What can be done to help with the symptoms? Will the symptoms go away? These are great questions. Here are some tips to help a person find relief:
- Exercise – make it fun! Take your dog for a walk, find a You Tube Video to exercise with.
- Hang out with others – even if you don’t want to! It’s good for you. Many studies and doctors will say, “don’t isolate yourself”.
- Take care of yourself. Sleep. Eat well. Find ways to relax.
- Be mindful. Breathe. Experience what you are sensing. Don’t judge yourself.
- Seek a professional. If you are feeling extreme symptoms or you’ve tried these tips and they aren’t helping – get help.
How can Thriveworks help?
A counselor at Thriveworks can help move people past their trauma – on to living with passion and joy instead of fear and dread. Our providers have experience and training to meet you where you are in your trauma and move forward with you. Call us today to schedule 719-266-3919
What to expect at Thriveworks Colorado Springs:
- Modern and comfortable offices
- Appointments are 97% on time
- No wait list. We can meet with you this week.
- Enjoy coffee and tea, complimentary
- Contact your provider outside of sessions
- Online scheduling
- We take insurance! Soon! We are currently in the process of this. Please check back to see which insurances we accept.
We look forward to meeting you or your loved one. Don’t endure the pain of trauma on your own. Call us – 719-266-3919.
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