Trauma Therapy

The dictionary defines trauma as an extremely distressing experience that causes severe emotional shock and may have long-lasting psychological effects or as a bodily injury. Many people experience events that can create long-lasting effects in their lives.

Some of the types of events that may cause traumatic stress include:

Life-threatening incidents, such as natural disasters, air or auto accidents, or falls
Violent crime, such as assault or rape
War-time experiences
Physical abuse
Verbal abuse
Sexual abuse
Loss of a loved one through death or separation
Severe humiliation
Discovery of a life-threatening or disabling illness

Traumatizing events can cause serious emotional problems, even if there was no physical damage that occurred. Common threads in events that may cause emotional trauma include:

It was an unexpected event.
The person was unprepared.
There was nothing the person could do to prevent it from happening.

Symptoms from trauma can be delayed for months or even years after the event or events. Some people do not realize that their symptoms are the result of a previous traumatic experience.

Some of the symptoms of traumatic stress are:

Lack of energy
Change in eating habits
Sleep disturbances
Sexual dysfunction
Chronic, unexplained pain
Anxiety
Fearfulness
Panic attacks
Hopelessness
Inability to concentrate
Memory loss
Difficulty making decisions
Compulsive and obsessive behaviors
Irritability and hostility
Emotional numbness
Overreactions, including sudden outbursts of anger
Hyper-vigilance and jumpiness
Social withdrawal
Substance abuse
Violent behavior
Suicidal thoughts
Re-experiencing the trauma with intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Certified EMDR Therapist, Jana specializes in treating those affected by traumatic stress. If you have been a victim of abuse or violence, Jana will provide a compassionate and safe environment for you to begin the healing process.

Trauma Resources