“To the highly sensitive person a drizzle feels like a monsoon.”
Are you a Highly Sensitive
Living with…
What is Trauma?
Any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.
Traumatic events include those caused by human behavior (e.g., rape, war, industrial accidents) as well as by nature (e.g., earthquakes) and often challenge an individual’s view of the world as a just, safe, and predictable place. any serious physical injury, such as a widespread burn or a blow to the head.
Living with Trauma
Relationships
Isolation, avoidance,
Career & Education
Healing Trauma
Consultation
During our initial call, I’ll learn about where your needs, substance use concerns and goals for therapy. I’ll provide an overview clinical approach to address your needs. If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your intake session.
Intake
Beginning therapy, we’ll lay the foundation for our collaborative work together. Exploring your history, identifying immediate concerns, priorities, and clarify goals.
Using Evidenced-Based Interventions for treating substance use disorders we’ll begin to hone on our focus areas. Here are some examples:
Therapy Focus Areas
Developing coping skills to manage distressing thoughts & feelings.
Identify areas for potential relapse and create prevention plan to manage cravings.
Develop relationships and support network to aid recovery goals
Explore unprocessed trauma and unconscious beliefs influencing substance use behaviors.
What is Complex PTSD? (CPTSD)
PTSD and C-PTSD can be distinguished by their presenting symptoms and root cause. To simplify, PTSD generally refers to a singular traumatic event (ex. car crash, natural disaster, sudden loss)
C-PTSD refers to symptoms from prolonged, repeated traumatic experiences, leading to broader struggles with emotional regulation, relationships, and self-worth. (ex abuse, domestic violence, neglect,)
CPTSD, while not currently recognized by the latest edition of the DSMV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is an emerging diagnosis used by mental health professionals in trauma research.
Effects of Trauma
Anxiety
Physical Changes
Trauma wires the nervous system in response to overwhelming experience that leaves the body stuck in a state of threat even when danger has passed.
Relationships
"Highly sensitive beings suffer more but they also love harder, dream wider and experience deeper horizons and bliss... Sensitivity is your strength."
— Victoria Erickson
Subjectivity of Trauma
One aspect of trauma that can be difficult for many to understand is the subjective nature of trauma. Meaning two individuals can experience the same traumatic event, but be impacted drastically different.
For example, in a car accident, one person may leave with minor injuries and move on without effort. The other could struggle with panic attacks or anxiety impairing their ability to drive for the rest of their life.
Often traumatic experiences can often be minimized or judged as “not that bad.” Victims of trauma often are conditioned or learn to dismiss their experience as a coping mechanism.
Ultimately there are no “big” or “little” traumas. Trauma is a universal human experience, yours is real and valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfortunately, more than I can address here.
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No, EMDR is a highly effective modality for trauma work I have not trained with it yet. I look forward to offering that here in the future, but if you are looking for an EMDR specialist, I am happy to refer to you towards a provider.
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Yes! Here are a wide range of books, research articles, podcasts, and more. If you need additional information not listed here, please fill out the contact form with what you needing and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Emergency Services
If you are experiencing an emergency dial 911.
Colorado Crisis Line
Call or text 988 to connect immediately with the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. This free, confidential, 24/7 service connects you with trained professionals for mental health, emotional, or substance use.
Books
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk, M.D
Waking the Tiger - Peter Levine
Healing the Shame that Binds You - John Bradshaw
I Hate You / Don’t Leave Me - Jerlod Kreisman & Hal Straus
National Organizations
The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Local Support Groups
Trauma Survivors Network - https://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org/
The Center for Trauma & Resilience - https://www.traumahealth.org/
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The short answer is No. PTSD and trauma are treatable conditions with many effective options available to you. The longer answer would ask what you mean by stuck this way?
Depending on the nature traumatic experience, age you experienced, if it were one singular moment or repeated traumatic experiences will influence potential outcomes.
While trauma can leave scars we carry with us, the severity of distress left from those experiences can be significantly alleviated.
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Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious for additional information or are ready to start your journey, fill out the contact form.
I aim to get back to you within one business day.
