Our therapists offer PTSD & trauma therapy in Bastrop, TX

Katherine: Trauma is unique to each individual. I explain to my clients that trauma can affect relationships and how a person responds to things. If you are experiencing anxiety, or depression, feeling like you are just trying to survive, or are easily irritated, it may be due to trauma. Trauma is not only about emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Trauma is something that changes your course. Some people use unhealthy ways to help them cope with it, like alcohol, drugs, self-harm, or suicide. This does not make you a bad person. You are just trying to survive the best way you know how. The key is to find the right person to help you.

Susan: I find that the best benefit of PTSD/trauma therapy is not to necessarily relive the trauma but to explore how that trauma is currently impacting their lives.

Katherine: I cater my approach to the person. Some people need to take it slow. Some want to talk about what happened. Not everyone needs to relive the trauma to process the trauma. I talk to the client and ask them how they would like to approach it. Clients need to feel they have options and choices.

Susan: By using various types of therapy such as ACT, CBT, or DBT, clients are taught to accept their internal experiences, reduce overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, and restore functioning.

Katherine: I can tell when a client is making progress when their symptoms start to decrease. If they were just trying to survive, they start to relax and not feel exhausted all the time. They start to feel something is different. They can think clearly. They are no longer restless. The client communicates what they like and don't like. They express they feel better.

Susan: I will know that a client is making meaningful progress when the individual reports that they are having meaningful life experiences and have decreased avoidance.

Katherine: Clients can read different books about trauma. They can do self-care. Self-care is about taking care of yourself and doing things that you enjoy. It is important to take care of your mind, body, and spirit. This can be reading a good book, watching a funny show, going for a walk, exercising, or anything that you enjoy.

Susan: Clients will supplement their time outside of therapy by journaling at home and doing homework that will help them learn to implement strategies to improve functioning.

Katherine: A person needs to decide if they want things to be different. Are you ready to go on a journey of getting to know about yourself and how things affect you? If you are ready for change, then maybe therapy is for you. If you want to address your childhood or past and feel that I may be the right fit, then make an appointment with me or any therapist.

Susan: To prepare for the first session, clients can identify the emotional toll that interferes with functioning, impairing relationships and interfering with their quality of life.