Healing Trauma: My Approach to PTSD and Complex Trauma TherapY

Does it feel like you can't "move on" from your past? Do you experience flashbacks, panic attacks, or dissociation when you feel overwhelmed? Is it really hard for you to trust other people or just generally feel safe in the world?

If so, you may be experiencing residual or unprocessed trauma symptoms. These symptoms vary in type, but they can persist over time. No matter how long ago a traumatic experience occurred, life may still feel like a state of constant hypervigilance with a layer of shame on top of it.

It's estimated that approximately 5% of adults will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a given year. While complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is not formally recognized within the DSM, many mental health providers recognize and agree on its merit and relevance.

Trauma-focused therapy helps unpack what happened to you in the past so you can live more authentically and meaningfully right now. While we can't change what happened to you, it is possible to recover and heal.

Understanding Therapy for PTSD and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)

Trauma therapy is unique and based on each client's specific needs. That said, individual therapy for trauma typically consists of weekly sessions intended to help you:

Increase self-awareness: Insight is the first step toward change. In therapy, you'll learn how to identify your key trauma symptoms and understand which types of triggers may contribute to you experiencing these symptoms.

Strengthen self-compassion: Many people with trauma histories also experience high levels of shame, insecurity, and anxiety. Self-compassion is an important way to practice self-kindness and be gentle to yourself during life's ups and downs.

Cope with stressful situations: Unfortunately, stress can exacerbate trauma symptoms, and many people with trauma histories struggle with emotional regulation. In therapy, we'll review healthy ways to manage stress and take care of yourself effectively.

Improve boundaries and relationships: Trauma may affect your capacity to trust and attach to people, leading to relationship difficulties. We will explore how to set reasonable limits and preserve your own integrity around family members, friends, and other important people in your life.

Childhood Trauma and Developmental Trauma

Childhood trauma is a broad umbrella term that refers to traumatic experiences that occur during childhood. It's estimated that nearly half of all American children encounter adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), all of which may impact their physical and emotional well-being.

Childhood trauma can include:

  • physical abuse

  • emotional abuse or neglect

  • sexual abuse

  • having a caregiver with a mental health issue or substance abuse problem

  • experiencing early caregiver abandonment or separation

  • significant housing or financial problems

  • exposure to abuse within the home

In addition to PTSD, childhood trauma is a key risk factor for many other mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and more. With that, treating trauma effectively can also improve those other mental health symptoms.

Relational Trauma and Domestic ViolencE

Relational trauma refers to trauma that occurs within relationships, including family, peer, and intimate relationships. This type of trauma can also include neglect, physical abuse, or inconsistent care.

Relational trauma coincides with several core symptoms, including:

  • difficulty trusting others

  • high levels of shame

  • problems with emotional regulation

  • low self-worth

  • challenges with closeness and intimacy

Sometimes people replay early relational patterns into their adulthood. For example, if you had an abusive caregiver, you may unconsciously date partners who replicate similar dynamics. Unfortunately, this can perpetuate trauma cycles and maintain feelings of stuckness.

Racial TraumA

Race-based traumatic stress comes in many forms, including direct discrimination, harassment and bullying, social exclusion, and violence. This type of trauma can also be intergenerational, in the sense that the effects of racial oppression can be passed from generation to generation.

The impact of racial trauma varies, but may include residual symptoms of:

  • low self-worth or a pervasive sense of guilt

  • hypervigilance

  • internalized racism

  • emotional detachment or numbness

  • difficulty feeling like you belong within a community

  • chronic stress

  • identity disturbances or confusion

Racial trauma may intersect with other types of trauma. With that, it's important to work with a clinician well-versed in understanding and treating this kind of trauma.

Sexual Trauma

It is estimated that an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. About 17% of women and 3% of men have been victims of attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Sexual trauma can impact your emotional and physical well-being in the following ways:

  • depression symptoms

  • increased anxiety

  • intense self-blame or guilt

  • sleep disturbances

  • somatic symptoms and/or chronic pain

  • sexual difficulties, including a lack of desire and sexual pain

  • trust and attachment issues

FAQs

WHow Do I Know If I Have PTSD or CPTSD?

Trauma symptoms can mimic that of other mental disorders, but PTSD is typically a response to a single traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious car accident, or assault. CPTSD, on the other hand, results from prolonged exposure to repeated traumatic events.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

  • avoiding people, places, or activities reminiscent of the trauma

  • hyperarousal (feeling constantly on edge)

  • negative beliefs about yourself and/or the world around you

  • intrusive thoughts that feel distressing and disturbing

  • flashbacks and/or nightmares

In addition to the classic PTSD symptoms, people with CPTSD often experience other symptoms of heightened levels of emotional dysregulation (mood swings, rage, feelings of emptiness), problems in interpersonal relationships, feeling perpetually guilty or 'bad,' and themes of dissociation.

What If I'm Not Ready to Talk About My Trauma?

This is completely understandable and totally okay. All healing is a personal process; therapy is an individualized space where you get to decide what and when to share information about yourself.

You never have to discuss content until you feel ready. Pacing is an integral part of any trauma treatment, and I will always respect the need for trust, time, and comfort.

I use Somatic Experiencing and EMDR with many of my clients, and these modalities do not require you to go into detail about your trauma. Instead, you focus more on here-and-now sensations, thoughts, and feelings.

What Does Successful Trauma Therapy Really Look Like?

It's important to note that there is no cure for trauma. Successful treatment helps people manage their symptoms and live meaningfully. Therapy looks different for everyone and doesn't adhere to a specific, one-size-fits-all path.

After completing therapy, you will ideally experience:

  • a greater sense of internal safety

  • improved emotional regulation

  • strengthened interpersonal relationships

  • integrating past experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming or upsetting

  • more self-compassion and an improved sense of self-worth

  • the capacity to engage in adaptive coping skills during challenging times

How Long Will Therapy for PTSD or CPTSD Take?

Your length of treatment will depend on many factors, including the nature of the traumatic events, your current presenting symptoms, and how you respond to different treatment methods. Clients with single-episode traumas generally experience relief within a few months. Complex trauma treatment tends to be more long-term.

If you have specific questions about the length of treatment, I'm happy to answer them.

What Modalities Do You Use to Treat PTSD or Complex PTSD?

Treatment focuses on you and your presenting concerns and treatment goals. I don't subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach to treating trauma, and it's important that our work together is attuned to your needs and your comfort level.

I integrate some concepts of talk therapy from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to review core concepts of unhelpful beliefs, distress tolerance, and positive coping skills. We then may engage in Somatic Experiencing strategies to resolve traumatic stress within the body. From there, I often engage in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) work to install resources and reprocess the negative events.

Can You Only Treat Trauma With a Mental Health Professional?

Therapy is just one option for processing and resolving trauma. Some people find relief from certain medications if they experience a co-occurring mental health condition like depression or anxiety. You might also benefit from attending a trauma support group.

Trauma work generally requires making various lifestyle changes. For example, you may need to prioritize more self-care, set boundaries in particular relationships, avoid or limit mood-altering substances, and engage in more mindfulness.

Treating PTSD and C-PTSD in New York and Connecticut

Unresolved trauma can compromise your quality of life by affecting your self-esteem, relationships, and other parts of functioning. Some symptoms are obvious, but others are more covert and can be harder to understand and reconcile on your own.

Although therapy cannot cure trauma, successful treatment will help you feel more empowered and authentic in your daily life. It's absolutely possible to get to a place where you feel more empowered and content with who you are and what your future holds.

As a trauma therapist, I specialize in helping adults and teenagers overcome their PTSD or complex trauma symptoms. I offer both in-person therapy in White Plains, New York and virtual treatment throughout New York and Connecticut. Please contact me today to schedule a complimentary consultation.