“The trauma is over. I should feel better by now, right?”
Something really awful happened. And, it feels like it’s impossible to move on from. You feel like you should feel better. It’s over. The world is moving on. Yet, you’re still struggling with symptoms of PTSD and sometimes it almost feels like the trauma is still happening. No matter what you do, you just can’t stop thinking about it. You see it in your dreams and when you’re awake. There’s no escape. You’re constantly afraid. In addition, you don’t things you used to. Actually, you completely avoid them. You just feel so exhausted. If this sounds familiar, you could be experiencing symptoms of PTSD.
You don’t have to live like this. You’re ready to get your life back. PTSD treatment is the next step for you.
What Is PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder is commonly referred to as PTSD. Not everyone who experiences something traumatic gets PTSD. However, it’s not uncommon either. PTSD is a diagnosis that someone can receive after being involved in a traumatic event or experience. It’s like the trauma gets trapped in time and your brain, body and life have trouble getting back to baseline. Your response to that past trauma can start to impact various areas of your life.
PTSD symptoms look different for each person that experiences them. Everyone responds to trauma differently and the impact of your trauma will be unique to your life. PTSD can happen when a traumatic event happens to you or a loved one. Or, when you’ve been exposed to traumatic events. This can happen from hearing about traumatic events repeatedly. Our trauma therapists offer a supportive, effective approach to treating PTSD in Lynchburg, VA or online to anyone in Virginia.
What is considered a traumatic event?
A traumatic event happens when someone feels like their life or well being is in danger. This can be at the hands of a person or a larger force. Each traumatic event looks different. For some people, it’s an assault or violence committed against them. For others, it can be a natural disaster or war-related situations. What is traumatic for one person may not feel as traumatizing to another, because each person has their own set of coping skills and past life experiences. Our online trauma therapists understand that there are many different things you might experience as a trauma. When you begin trauma therapy, they’ll meet you where you are in your healing. We want you to feel safe telling your story and discussing how it’s impacted your life.
Symptoms of PTSD
Our Lynchburg, VA based trauma therapists have worked with many people who have been through really stressful things. Therefore, we understand that everyone reacts to trauma a little bit differently. And therefore these “symptoms” look a little different in each person. However, there are some themes that may mean your brain is “stuck” recovering from a trauma and now you’re needing help for PTSD.
People with PTSD often experience intense thoughts and feelings after their traumatic experiences. These can last for a long time after the initial event. It’s generally accepted in trauma research that there are three categories of symptoms of PTSD.
Reexperiencing Past Trauma
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts
Avoidance or Emotional Numbness
- Avoiding anything related to the event; this could be a person, place, or situation
- Trouble feeling positive emotions
- Difficulty with emotion regulation
Hyperarousal
- Feeling “jumpy” or having exaggerated startle responses
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
PTSD Therapy Can Help
Living with PTSD can be extremely difficult. At times, it can feel like the world is against you. And, that there’s nothing you can do about it. Often, it feels like the ones closest to you just don’t get it.
Luckily, you’re not alone in this. You deserve healing from the symptoms of PTSD you’ve been living with.
Our trauma therapists are here to help you. We offer supportive PTSD therapy at Monday Courage based out of Lynchburg, VA but available online to anyone in Virginia. Therapy offers you a safe space to explore the intricacies of what you’re struggling with. In addition, counseling sessions with our trauma therapists offer you a judgment-free space for you to learn to navigate life after trauma.
You can rebuild your life. It’s possible to rediscover yourself. You may never forget what you’ve been through, but it is possible to move forward. Trauma therapy can help.
Monday Courage’s Approach to PTSD Therapy in Virginia
At Monday Courage, we know living with symptoms of PTSD are hard. And you’re tired of it. You’re tired of feeling held back by your past.
We believe you deserve true healing from past trauma. Our trauma therapists use only the most effective treatment for PTSD and trauma recovery. The trauma therapists with Monday Courage have years of experience offering therapy for individuals who are seeking healing from trauma or symptoms of PTSD in Lynchburg, VA and now online anywhere in Virginia. Through evidence based trauma therapy, we help clients find themselves and regain control of their lives.
The good news is that there are a several different really effective types of counseling interventions that can be used in PTSD treatment. However, there are three specific techniques that are consistently gaining research-based evidence of their effectiveness in successfully treating PTSD: Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR. When you begin therapy with one of our trauma therapist, you will work together with your clinician to choose the type of intervention best suited to help you find healing.
Here’s a little more about the 3 main types of PTSD treatment we offer:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD Treatment
Cognitive Processing Therapy, or CPT focuses on how a person perceives a traumatic event and processes it. These are certain thoughts related to the trauma that prevents the person from recovering. Your therapist will describe the relationship between your thoughts about a trauma, your feelings and your actions. Then, you’ll identify “stuck points” or thoughts that are keeping you stuck and helping maintain your PTSD symptoms even if they’re operating just under the surface of your daily thought. Together, you’ll examine those thoughts and look at how they may be preventing you from recovering. As you change your relationship with your thoughts, you’ll develop new, healthier ways of thinking about your past trauma which will help you find healing and experience fewer symptoms of PTSD.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy) for PTSD Treatment
EMDR therapy stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This technique uses bilateral sensory stimulation. This can include side-to-side eye movements to stimulate the brain to process difficult thoughts, memories and emotions. It’s a type of trauma therapy really gaining momentum in the United States as more and more people are learning about it’s incredible benefits. EMDR involves less talking than traditional “talk therapy” and instead simply gives your brain the tools it needs to guide the healing process. Your trauma therapist will help you know exactly what to expect as you move through EMDR.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD Treatment
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related to one another. The goal of a CBT is to help a client with PTSD return to a place of hope with a greater sense of being in control of their thoughts and behaviors. CBT is a well researched type of psychotherapy that helps with a wide range of mental health concerns. In addition to PTSD, participating in CBT can help you with your overall self esteem, any depression you’re struggling with or anxious thoughts.
Begin PTSD Treatment in Lynchburg & Online in Virginia
Your trauma might be over, but the effects still linger. PTSD therapy can help you to navigate life after trauma. Our trauma therapists offer the most effective trauma therapy possible to help you overcome the past. We pair with you, provide support and use types of trauma therapy shown time and again to help people find healing after trauma, because we believe you deserve to feel better.
If you live in Virginia and are ready to begin PTSD therapy follow these steps:
- Reach out to our client care coordinator to schedule your appointment.
- Get to know our team of counselors and trauma therapists.
- Begin to feel less controlled by your past.
Other Counseling Services Provided in Virginia
PTSD treatment isn’t the only service we offer at Monday Courage. As therapists, we care about the whole you. At this time, we are working with all of our clients through online therapy in Virginia since our physical counseling clinic location in Lynchburghburg VA is currently closed. Our therapists provide services for ADD/ADHD, trauma treatment, anxiety, depression, and grief counseling In addition, we incorporate mindfulness when offering support for women, men, and life transitions.