Trauma therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on treating the psychological impact of traumatic events on individuals. Trauma therapy helps people process and heal from their trauma by guiding them through their trauma in a compassionate and supportive way, allowing clients to feel the full scope of what happened to them and eventually move on from the event(s). This process helps people who have experienced trauma find ways to feel safe in their lives.
Trauma therapy will often require individuals to walk through their experiences in a controlled and compassionate setting (unless the client has a dissociative disorder) so that they can fully process the event, an activity that will allow them to move on from what happened and feel safe again. Thriveworks Amherst therapists will also help clients learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms outside of therapy.
If an individual is working through a single event that occurred during adulthood, they may only need a few months of treatment. However, in instances of childhood trauma or repeated traumatic events, therapy may continue over the course of years. Trauma therapy usually ends when the client believes they have met their therapeutic goals, however long that takes to occur. Thriveworks therapists in Amherst, MA will continue to provide care for as long as necessary to help clients meet their therapeutic needs.
Trauma Counseling – Therapists and Counselors in Amherst, MA
For those who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s important to know that therapy can help. Call Thriveworks Amherst today at (413) 634-4805 to see a PTSD therapist.
Causes of Trauma
PTSD may result from any one of the following traumatic occurrences and situations:
- The unexpected or sudden death of a loved one such as a car accident or suicide
- Experiencing a serious injury (for example, burns, dog attack), life-threatening illness (e.g., cancer) or a major surgery (e.g., heart surgery)
- Undergoing episodes of bullying as a child or adolescent
- Being in harm’s way in combat during active
- Experienced physical and/or sexual abuse either as an adult or child
- Surviving a natural disaster such as a hurricane, flood, fire, or earthquake
- Witnessing a violent or another horrific event
- Surviving automobile or other transportation accident
- The infidelity of a spouse or long-term partner
Signs and Symptoms
Below are a list of signs and symptoms of PTSD:
Re-experiencing symptoms include:
- Flashbacks such as the cognitive and emotional recall of horrific incidents that keep recurring
- Ongoing physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating breathing or difficulty
- Horrific dreams and nightmares
- Fearful thoughts that are Persistent and uncontrollable
Avoidance symptoms include:
People who suffer may actively stay away from certain places, locations, situations or events. Often, the person suffering from PTSD do not consciously realize that they are avoiding these situations. They may also be avoiding seemingly random objects that generate thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms include:
- Frequent irritability, agitation, and angry outbursts
- An easily triggered startle reflex
Cognition and mood symptoms include:
- Difficulty recalling important aspects of the traumatic event or not remembering it at all
- Poor self-image often with a corresponding negative outlook toward the world
- Unrealistic sense of guilt and shame
- No longer interested in previously preferred activities
Treatments and Therapies
Many types of therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in the removal of symptoms. Some focus on specific symptoms while other concentrate on improving an individual’s ability to function at their jobs, at home or in other social contexts. Treating clinicians with experience and training know how to combine different therapies if needed to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Some strategies that have been shown to be effective include:
- Teaching victims of PTSD to identify survivors’ guilt, self-blame, and other feelings that may be associated with trauma
- Provide guidance to the trauma victim on how to overcome specific symptoms such as improving sleep, diet, exercise habits and other habits or behavior that improves the body’s ability to handle stress
- Using educational methods to help the trauma survivor to understand what they are experiencing and why
- Train the trauma survivor in the use of effective coping skills such as relaxation exercises, guided imagery and anger-management techniques
Schedule Trauma Therapy at Thriveworks Amherst
If you or someone you care for is a survivor of a traumatic event and experiencing symptoms of PTSD that are having a negative effect on their daily routine, a therapist at Thriveworks Amherst can be of great help. The professional therapists at Thriveworks-Amherst are skilled at both assessing and treating symptoms of trauma. They are also skilled at identifying and implementing the treatment that is right for you.
So, call Thriveworks today at 413-634-4805. Thriveworks Amherst counselors are leaders in their field and ready to work with you. There is no need to continue your search for answers to your problems. The counselors at Thriveworks are ready to partner with you to improve your life.
