PTSD
It affects whole families.
Beth* and Alan* suffered trauma as children.
Before they were ten, their 6-year-old cousin found his dad’s Luger and accidentally shot himself during a game of “cops and robbers.” The poor boy bled profusely and died right in front of them.
Just a few years later, some new kids moved in down the street. The oldest child sexually abused them and conditioned them to believe they’d get in trouble if their parents found out.
They locked away those secrets for years.
They carried around the guilt and shame that came with them, though. And they never really talked about what happened.
Their parents had gotten them some therapy when they were younger, but it fizzled out with no real results.
Now that they’re adults, they’re struggling and need help.
Beth has been married for a little bit over a year. Soon after getting married, she began to feel uncomfortable with sex. She started pulling away from her husband, anticipating trouble in the relationship. He feels neglected and is beginning to resent her avoidance. His negativity causes her to withdraw further.
Alan has been on the dating scene for a while, but he’s never formed a serious attachment to any of his girlfriends. He’s attracted to them and wants a committed relationship, but sooner or later, he becomes self-protective and pulls away from them. The closer he gets, the more anxiety he feels. It seems like there’s no way out of this pattern.
You’re here because you’re stuck in a pattern.
Nightmares.
Emotional numbness.
Intrusive memories.
Exaggerated feelings of danger.
They make you feel out of control – like your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are in control of YOU.
When you have PTSD, it’s like you’re in the passenger seat of your own mind – your own body – your own life.
GOOD therapy will help you turn the page.
Making sure you’re comfortable…
When you have PTSD, trust is hard. You expect others to take advantage of you… or for things not to work out.
I’ll make sure you feel safe and in control so you can be vulnerable, open up, and share your story.
Using techniques that work…
We’ll start by giving you relief from your symptoms. I will guide you through relaxation training and mindfulness techniques to help your nervous system calm down.
You’ll learn to ground yourself and stay in the present whenever you have panic or flashbacks.
Changing your thinking…
We’ll use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify negative thought patterns that perpetuate cycles of fear and avoidance.
By recognizing distorted beliefs and disputing them, you’ll have room to develop a healthy understanding of yourself and your past.>
Desensitizing you to painful memories…
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to help you “reprocess” painful memories so they no longer disturb you.
It addresses trauma directly in your brain, desensitizing you to the past while fostering a positive mindset about yourself, your relationships, and the world around you.
I want to see you… and your family.
Family and sibling therapy is a powerful way to heal. It validates your memories (“Yes, that really did happen to us. I haven’t lost my mind.) and gives you strength and courage for the journey.
Sharing feelings about traumatic experiences with a family member can help you be more transparent with your feelings and learn to trust.
It’s time to start living for your present and your future.
Call today, and we’ll get started with your free consultation: (757) 967-7342
*These are fictitious names and scenarios used only to illustrate real-life situations.