Are you jumpy? Easily startled? Do you avoid thinking about what happened because it is too heavy?
Part of the nature of PTSD is to avoid dealing with it. Part of the nature of trauma is to minimize it. We do that so we can move on.
It’s natural, but it’s not always effective.
We don’t want to focus on the ugly moments of the past.
But sometimes, allowing ourselves a short time to address it can release the power it has over us.
Power that many times we don’t see it having.
(Although our loved ones often see it. Have your loved ones asked you to get help?)
When I say trauma and PTSD, many people say “No, That’s not me. I didn’t go through anything THAT bad.” Yet they have the problems and annoyances that follow.
So let’s break it down and shift it a little.
Do you have experiences in your past that haunt you when you are reminded of them? (Sure you do. We all do.)
Now do these memories, or reminders of that stressful event (or events) bring up heavy feelings when the reminders surface?
Do you have nightmares about it?
Did that event change the way you view yourself, others, and/or the world?
If these questions have you wondering, maybe it’s time to explore if your past is derailing your present.
If you do have PTSD, I know it is hard to face it. But the good news is, being ready and jumping in IS the hardest part.
People can and do recover.
I love working with PTSD because I love to see people experience such life changing results in such a short time!
I am trained in multiple evidence-based methods to treat and decrease symptoms of trauma and have had the privilege of watching life’s transform.
I am proud and grateful to be one of a small number of therapists in this area who is on the roster for Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. To be on the roster, I went through training provided by the developer and consultation with a trauma specialist from New York City who I learned so much from. During that time, I witnessed transformations happen in front of me that I had not thought possible. CPT is a short term, evidence-based, intervention for PTSD. Evidence suggests CPT is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms related to traumatic events such as combat, abuse, rape and natural disasters.
If you have past events haunting you that has been keeping you stuck, call me and let’s get to work!
