Trauma Therapy in Newtown, PA

What is Trauma?

 

Trauma is a psychological, emotional and/or physical reaction to a stressful event or series of stressful events. When we experience stress or reminders of the trauma after the traumatic event(s) we release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol.  As a result, we may experience self-protective responses to the trauma. Some of the responses may include the fight, flight, freeze or fawn response.

 

• Fight – aggression, hypervigilance, increased heart rate

• Flight – avoidance, perfectionism, shallow breathing

• Freeze – dissociation, shame, numbness, restricted breathing

• Fawn – people pleasing, conflict avoidant, disconnected

 

Often, we may recognize that these responses interfere with our daily lives and may not be congruent to the situation that triggers the responses. For example, a client is running late to an important meeting and their heart starts to race and they begin to panic (physiological). Then they decide to call and make an excuse that they are sick and cancel the meeting (flight). The client may feel immediate relief from their physiological response, but this however causes unwanted consequences in the long term.

 

What is PTSD?

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that develops in some individuals who experience or witness stressful, scary or distressing events. PTSD is diagnosed upon assessment of symptoms. Examples of symptoms may include:

 

• Unwanted upsetting memories

• Nightmares

• Flashbacks

• Dissociation

• Emotional distress

• Psychological distress

• Avoidance of memories or reminders

• Persistent negative beliefs about oneself

• Distorted cognitions

• Irritability and anger

• Hypervigilance

• Sleep distubances.

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What is Complex PTSD?

 

            Complex PTSD includes symptoms of PTSD in addition to other symptoms such as intense anger, relationship difficulties, pervasive feelings of guilt and shame, and detachment. CPTSD may develop as a result of childhood abuse, ongoing domestic violence, repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse as well as any recurring sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. 

 

What is Cognitive Processing Therapy

 

            CPT is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for treating PTSD and CPTSD.  Clients will explore their trauma history and the impacts of the trauma during the initial sessions. In the following sessions clients will write an impact statement that describes how their trauma has impacted their views of themselves, others, and the world. Themes that are explored during the impact statement include safety, control, self-esteem, trust and intimacy. The client and therapist then identify stuck points that result from the impact of the trauma. In the final sessions the client and therapist work to challenge the stuck points and develop alternative thoughts and appraisals. Throughout the entire process symptoms of PTSD are monitored and the client may decide to engage in trauma exposures to reduce fear-based trauma responses. The therapists at Beyond Therapy and Nutrition Center value meeting clients where they are and respect our clients’ journeys as they navigate trauma therapy. The clients at Beyond are empowered to lead the course of their treatment and work towards their healing process at their own pace.