Are You Looking for Therapy Because Trauma Has Left a Lasting Imprint on Your Life?
“Trauma is not what happens to you; trauma is what happens inside of you as a result of what happens to you.” —Gabor Maté
Trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, and physical distress experienced as a result of an overwhelming and upsetting event. It can occur when you witness or directly experience events that exceed your ability to cope, leaving you feeling helpless, frightened, or powerless.
What sets trauma apart is its lasting imprint. The intense emotions and memories associated with the traumatic event can persist long after the experience itself. And if trauma is left unprocessed and untreated, it can, over time, become stuck in your nervous system and develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD Can Cause Host of Challenges
If you're grappling with trauma or PTSD, it’s common to experience a range of overwhelming emotions and physical sensations that affect both your mental and physical health, disrupting your day-to-day functioning.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF TRAUMA
Fear of Intimacy and Relationship - Difficulty trusting others, wanting to be intimate, enforcing healthy boundaries, and maintaining relationships due to anxiety, negative thought patterns, or avoidant tactics.
Physical and Emotional Reactions - Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, increased heart rate, lack of appetite, and chronic pain without medical cause, as well as emotional reactions, such as anger, fear, and sadness.
Negative Thoughts and Mood - Persistent negative emotions, self-blame, guilt, shame, and a diminished sense of self-worth.
Intrusive Thoughts and Memories - Repeatedly reliving the traumatic event through distressing thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks.
Hyperarousal and Hypervigilance - Feeling constantly on edge, experiencing difficulty concentrating, irritability, insomnia, and an exaggerated startle response.
Avoidance and Emotional Numbing - Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the trauma and experiencing a decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities.
If your struggle with trauma has been anything but temporary and you’re having major difficulties adjusting and coping, therapy at Repose can take you beyond good self-care and help you begin your healing journey.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Trauma Is a Universal Human Experience, Transcending Cultural Boundaries
In the United States alone, 70% of adults have experienced some form of traumatic event—that is 223.4 million people! (1) However, it is crucial to recognize that trauma does not discriminate based on cultural background. It impacts individuals regardless of ethnicity or upbringing.
Stigma can prevent individuals from accessing the support they desperately need, perpetuating cycles of suffering and isolation and leading many to suffer in silence rather than seek professional help. But addressing trauma and PTSD through counseling is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of courage and self-care.
Trauma and PTSD Are Not Your Fault
Trauma can stem from many different experiences that are/were not under your control and leave its mark on your emotional and psychological well-being.
Physical, Emotional, or Sexual Abuse - These forms of abuse can profoundly impact your sense of safety and trust.
Accidents and Natural Disasters - Sudden and catastrophic events can overwhelm your coping mechanisms, leading to trauma symptoms.
Childhood Abuse or Neglect - Early experiences of neglect or abuse can shape your emotional responses and coping strategies throughout life.
War and Other Forms of Violence - Exposure to conflict or violence can lead to severe trauma, impacting your mental and emotional well-being.
Witnessing Acts of Violence - Direct exposure to violent incidents can lead to persistent trauma symptoms.
Grief and Loss - The death of a loved one or another significant loss can trigger intense emotional distress and trauma responses.
Medical Interventions - Trauma can result from invasive medical procedures or chronic illness experiences.
Cultural, Intergenerational, and Historical Trauma - Historical injustices, discrimination, or cultural displacement can contribute to trauma across generations.
Within communities, echoes of historical events, such as colonization, slavery, migration, or cultural upheavals, can manifest in persistent trauma responses, affecting familial relationships and individual well-being.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as increased alcohol or even drug use, can further complicate true healing. But with the help of our trauma specialists, you can reclaim your life in a healthy way, heal emotional wounds, and build resilience.
Trauma-Informed Therapy Allows You to Heal and Grow
At Repose, our therapists work through a trauma-informed lens. Trauma-informed care is a treatment approach that recognizes and responds to the impact trauma and PTSD can have on a person's life, health, and well-being.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” a trauma-informed counselor will ask “What happened to you?”
Trauma-informed care puts emphasis on safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Its goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you can explore your experiences, learn new skills for coping, and find healing.
Types of Trauma and PTSD Treatment Methods We Use in Session
We offer a range of evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs. With the guidance of one of our trauma-informed therapists, you can learn to heal and grow.
Somatic Experiencing
This therapeutic technique was developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, a renowned psychologist and trauma specialist. It is based on the premise that traumatic experiences, whether physical or emotional, can become stuck in the body, leading to a range of psychological and physical symptoms. The aim of Somatic experiencing therapy is to release this stored trauma energy and restore the body and mind to a state of equilibrium.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy integrates elements from various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalytic therapy, and somatic techniques. The primary aim of EMDR is to help individuals process distressing memories caused by trauma and reduce the emotional and psychological impact they have on their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This treatment method is a structured approach that reshapes negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps individuals link thoughts, emotions, and actions, and cope with trauma. By challenging distorted beliefs and gradual exposure to traumatic memories, CBT reduces distress, avoidance, and anxiety, aiding recovery and restoring control.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS therapy views the mind as a collection of sub-personalities, or "parts," and aids with healing trauma by identifying and addressing the roles of these parts in managing traumatic experiences. By fostering communication and understanding among parts, IFS aims to diminish internal conflict, promote self-compassion, and restore emotional equilibrium post-trauma.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness aims to help individuals achieve a mental state focused on the present moment, encouraging them to acknowledge emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations without judgment. It brings attention to the here and now, helping to enhance self-awareness and cultivate a non-reactive attitude toward experiences as they unfold. Mindfulness techniques are incorporated into trauma-informed somatic therapy so individuals can tune into their bodily sensations, begin to identify areas of discomfort or stress, and gradually release their emotional blocks to process unresolved trauma.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapy employs actions, movements, and creative expression to address trauma. It includes art therapy, yoga therapy, and dance movement therapy, which provide avenues to access and release suppressed feelings and encourage individuals to explore and process emotions through non-verbal channels. By engaging the body and mind, experiential therapy helps individuals heal from trauma, fostering self-discovery, emotional release, and empowerment in their journey toward recovery.
At Repose, we believe that seeking support through therapy is a courageous step toward healing. It's essential to acknowledge that trauma responses are natural reactions to overwhelming experiences, and seeking help is a sign of strength.
Maybe You Still Have Some Questions About Therapy for Trauma and PTSD…
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Because the body keeps the score! Traumatic events not only affect emotional and cognitive realms but also imprint their mark on the body’s physiology. The stress response triggered by trauma can lead to physical reactions, reflecting the body's readiness for action. These physiological changes can become locked into the body, contributing to trauma symptoms.
The mind-body connection is a two-way street—physical sensations can trigger emotional memories, and emotional distress can manifest as physical symptoms. Recognizing and addressing this connection is vital in trauma therapy, as somatic therapy techniques that engage the body can aid in releasing stored trauma and reestablishing harmony between the emotional and physical dimensions of healing.
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Length of time is the main difference between the two. Trauma that is not processed in the mind and body can eventually progress into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is a specific mental health diagnosis that needs specialized treatment. Criteria for diagnosis include symptoms that are lasting longer than a month and that are severe enough to majorly interfere with an individual’s daily life.
The memories and fears associated with PTSD typically replay over and over in a person’s mind, often causing them to display avoidance behaviors, steering clear of triggers associated with the traumatic event, as well as exhibiting increased arousal, such as being easily startled. These kinds of responses can greatly disrupt an individual’s ability to engage in normal activities and sustain stable relationships.
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We’re here to help you feel better, so anything that makes you feel worse actually runs against the grain of what we’re trying to do. If ever you don’t feel ready or capable of discussing something, we’ll stop and take another route. Therapy is about your personal journey to healing, not about being sticklers who adhere to a specific routine for treatment. Whatever path is best for you, we will help you find a direction that puts you on your way to healing.
Let Us Help You Heal from the Effects of Trauma and PTSD
Therapy can be an intimidating first step for anyone, but especially for those who are looking to work through trauma. To provide effective and compassionate treatment, we believe that empathy, kindness, and cultural humility are essential.
We offer in-person therapy at our offices in NYC and Pleasantville and online therapy across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
All of our therapists are trauma-informed, meaning they are trained in the psychological, physiological, and emotional ways in which trauma and PTSD can impact your overall well-being. If you’re ready to embark on your healing journey, we invite you to take the first step and schedule a 15-minute consultation.
References: (1) https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Trauma-infographic.pdf
More on Trauma from the Repose Journal
Types Of Trauma
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Complex trauma is a result of prolonged exposure to multiple and varied traumatic experiences, often starting in childhood and involving interpersonal relationships that should have provided safety and support. This type of trauma is frequently associated with neglect, emotional abuse, and disrupted attachments, causing profound developmental and psychological impacts. Complex trauma can lead to difficulties in regulating emotions, forming relationships, and maintaining a stable sense of self, often resulting in symptoms like chronic depression, dissociation, identity disturbances, and self-destructive behaviors.
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Chronic trauma involves continuous exposure to disturbing events or situations over a prolonged period. This type of trauma frequently occurs within interpersonal relationships (persistent emotional, physical, or sexual abuse) or in setting like war zones or harsh living conditions. The cumulative impact of chronic trauma can cause complex physical and psychological consequences, such as depression, dissociation, mistrust, and a lacking sense of safety.
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Acute trauma refers to a single, intense event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope and triggers a strong emotional and physiological response. This type of trauma is often characterized by its sudden onset and can result from experiences such as accidents, natural disasters, physical assaults, or witnessing violence. The effects of acute trauma can be profound, leading to symptoms like shock, anxiety, nightmares, and heightened arousal in the immediate aftermath.
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Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary trauma, occurs when an individual has had close contact with someone who has been through a traumatic event and begins to have trauma symptoms themself. This form of trauma can result from a single incident or be chronic (i.e. first responders or hospital staff with frequent exposure to trauma survivors).
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There is often a link between one’s identity and the risk of being exposed to trauma. Any verbal or nonverbal prejudiced communication whether on an individual or systemic level, may contribute to one feeling overwhelmed. This may then turn into an inability for that individual to adequately cope in their day-to-day life (i.e. being persecuted for being a sexual minority or racial minority may result in a state of shattered self-esteem).
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Intergenerational trauma is a psychological term that asserts that trauma can be transferred between generations. It states that after the first generation of survivors experiences trauma, they transfer this trauma to their children via altered genes and behavioral conditioning (i.e. this transmission may be of historical trauma—such as racism, slavery, famine, natural disasters—or intergenerational trauma—such as childhood sexual abuse, extreme poverty, etc).
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Childhood Trauma may encompass psychological trauma imparted by instances of neglect, abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), maltreatment, and bullying. Additionally, it may include living in a home with someone struggling with an addiction or severe mental illness during one's childhood.
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Attachment trauma is an early form of relational trauma (before the ages of 2 or 3) that occurs when there is some disruption (abuse, abandonment, neglect) in the healthy bond formation between a baby or child and their primary caregiver. This affects a child's ability to form healthy interpersonal relationships in adulthood.
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Sexual trauma refers to any non-consensual sexual act imposed on another person. It can occur as a single incident or as a repeated experience and doesn't necessarily involve physical violence. The term "abuse" typically signifies that the violence was prolonged or repetitive. Every individual reacts differently to sexual trauma, and their responses afterward vary widely. Examples of this type of trauma include: sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, online sexual harassment, street harassment, familial sexual abuse or incest, childhood sexual abuse, stalking, sexual violence in relationships, and sex trafficking.
Yes! We Accept Insurance!
Many of our therapists accept Aetna, Aetna Student, and Wellfleet Student health insurances. When using these in-network insurances, you will only be required to pay the cost of your copay at the time of service.
If you want to use other insurance providers with out-of-network benefits, you are required to pay the full fee at the time of service. When using out-of-network insurance only, we provide you with a monthly superbill (a receipt of the therapy services you paid for) with all of the necessary information for you to submit the claim to your insurance.
Subscribe to get a free exercise to release trauma
Learn an evidence-based technique used in EMDR therapy called, “Safe Place”. While being gently led through a simple visualization exercise, we invite you to create an internal emotional sanctuary. This safe, calm place is where you may go to rest, recover from stress, or manage overwhelming emotions.