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?
PTSD Counseling – Therapists and Counselors in Ashland, VA
Post-traumatic stress syndrome is a serious illness that develops in individuals after experiencing a traumatic event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation.
If you’re feeling like you’re struggling to recover from the after-effects of a traumatic experience, reach out to the experienced counselors at Thriveworks Hanover for comprehensive treatment. Simply call or book online.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD has been associated with many who are discharged from the military who have experienced some time in combat. However, PTSD can occur in individuals who have never been in the military and have experienced traumatic events such as death, car accidents, divorce, or rape.
PTSD symptoms:
- Re-experiencing
- Avoidance
- Arousal and reactivity
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Fearful thoughts
What Are the Risk Factors for PTSD Symptoms?
Risk factors:
- Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
- Childhood abuse
- Military Personnel
- Anxiety or depression
- Substance or alcohol abuse
- Poor support system
- Combat exposure
- Childhood physical abuse
- Sexual violence
- Physical assault
- Being threatened with a weapon
- An accident
- Natural Disaster
- Experiencing death
Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.
How Can Thriveworks Ashland Help Treat PTSD?
While treatment may vary depending on the individual, the most prevalent treatments for people with PTSD are medications, psychotherapy or both.
The following may be used in treatment at Thriveworks Ashland:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their trauma, while teaching coping strategies to manage symptoms.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR involves recalling distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements), helping individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce associated distress.
- Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy gradually exposes individuals to trauma-related stimuli or situations in a safe environment, allowing them to confront and process their fears, leading to decreased anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
- Medication: Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
- Group therapy: Participating in group therapy sessions with other trauma survivors provides opportunities for support, validation, and interpersonal connection, fostering healing and recovery.
- Mindfulness-based approaches: Practices such as mindfulness meditation and yoga can help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions, promoting emotional regulation and reducing reactivity to trauma triggers.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness skills, helping individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and cope with distressing experiences.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious conflicts contribute to current symptoms, offering insight and understanding into the underlying causes of PTSD while fostering emotional processing and healing.
Schedule Your Session Today
With support available from our scheduling specialists we invite you to call Thriveworks Ashland—because there’s no reason to delay getting a professional’s help. With a provider’s support, you can reclaim your life from the mental health challenges standing in your way.
