Trauma Therapy: Healing and Reclaiming Your Life
If you’re struggling with the aftermath of traumatic experiences we’re here to help. Trauma therapy at Summit Counseling can provide a pathway to healing and recovery and our providers are exceptional at helping their clients recover. We offer specialized, evidence-based treatment to help you process your experiences, manage symptoms, and rebuild a fulfilling life.
Trauma, in the mental health context, can refer to many experiences that are generally considered to be negative and impact the way your think about yourself, relationships, or the world overall. Generally these impacts are also considered to be negative. Some traumas are acute meaning they occur and change you very clearly and quickly. Other times, trauma a series of smaller instances and the changes reveal themselves over time.
Common Symptoms of Trauma
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts or memories
- Emotional Distance
- Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
- Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response
- Avoidance of places, people, or activities that trigger memories
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability or anger outbursts
- Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame
This is not an exhaustive list. Our therapists can help you determine what symptoms might be related to your own trauma.
How Trauma is Diagnosed
Our experienced therapists conduct thorough assessments to diagnose trauma-related disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This involves a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, history, and current functioning, utilizing standardized diagnostic criteria. We prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment for you to share your experiences.
Common Trauma Therapy Approaches
At Summit, we utilize a range of evidence-based therapies to treat trauma, tailored to your individual needs and goals. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop coping skills.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Facilitates the processing of traumatic memories and reduces associated distress.
- Brainspotting Therapy: Taps into the brain’s self-scanning process to locate, process and release trauma held deep within the brain.
Goals of Trauma Therapy
Therapy for trauma is typically rooted in the idea that traumas fundamentally changes how the mind processes events. In theory this is helpful as it trains the brain to recognize potential threats quicker in the future. But in reality, it often leaves the brain anticipating danger when none is present.
Trauma therapy helps you explore and reconnect with these memories in new and more helpful ways. This process helps to ‘unstick’ the trauma from your nervous system, allowing you to integrate these memories in a way that no longer overwhelms your present. We are here to help you:
- Reduce and manage trauma symptoms.
- Process and integrate traumatic memories.
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Build resilience and self-compassion.
- Improve relationships and social functioning.
- Reclaime a sense of safety and control.
Getting Started
Give us a call at 423-207-3336 or use our confidential form below to request that we reach out to you. Our office coordinator will you help you get connected with one of our therapists!