Trauma Therapy
We recognize the hardships of developmental stressors that often seem temporarily overwhelm the person’s ability to cope. We also understand that early injuries can impair a person’s social, behavioral, and emotional functioning in many ways. We believe that individuals have natural, innate strategies that allow them to overcome tremendous adversities and still find creative ways to self-soothe and move forward. In our practice, Therapist Betsy Michelena believes that it is important to achieve some form of closure on traumatic experiences so that they don’t interfere with later functioning. The primary goal of trauma work is to facilitate a process of re-establishing personal power and control, defusing and mediating traumatic impact over time so it’s viewed as an event, not a definition of self.
Many people suffer in silence, believing that severe depression, suicidal urges, and auditory hallucinations mean that they are “crazy.” But the truth is, these symptoms--as well as panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, social phobia, self-mutilation, eating problems, recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and substance abuse--are often the lingering results of trauma. The effects of trauma are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example, can be discouraging. Many people feel hopeless. Treatment options can be confusing, expensive, and yield results that are painfully slow. The good news is that trauma symptoms can be treated simply and effectively through our effective outpatient programs.
Many people suffer in silence, believing that severe depression, suicidal urges, and auditory hallucinations mean that they are “crazy.” But the truth is, these symptoms--as well as panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, social phobia, self-mutilation, eating problems, recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and substance abuse--are often the lingering results of trauma. The effects of trauma are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example, can be discouraging. Many people feel hopeless. Treatment options can be confusing, expensive, and yield results that are painfully slow. The good news is that trauma symptoms can be treated simply and effectively through our effective outpatient programs.
