Trauma Therapy
In Pembroke Pines, FL and online
What does trauma therapy help with?
Trauma therapy can help with all aspects of the effects of going through a traumatic event:
Reducing distress from memories, nightmares, or triggers
Reducing negative thoughts about yourself, or shame
Reducing guilt or self-blame
Improving self-esteem and sense of self-worth
Feeling “lighter” or “free”
No longer thinking about the traumatic event on a regular basis
Recognizing how the trauma affected you and your relationships
Feeling confident in setting clear boundaries
Many women begin therapy simply because they are tired of carrying everything alone.
What if I don’t remember everything?
Difficulty remembering parts or sometimes all of a traumatic experience is quite common. In trauma therapy, we work with what you do remember. The goal is not to force you to remember, create a story, or “uncover repressed memories.” The goal is to:
Decrease distress from memories that you do remember
Support you if you do remember something new
Provide a safe and caring space for you to process as much or as little as you want
Provide research proven trauma treatment when you’re ready
It’s common to feel frustrated if you don’t remember everything from a traumatic experience. Trauma therapy meets you where you’re at. Never forcing, never blaming, but working with what you do remember if a safe environment.
How does trauma affect men?
Trauma can affect men just as much as it can women. But the way symptoms are expressed is often quite different and based on social exceptions. Men often are affected by trauma by:
“Pushing through” difficult emotions or pain
Experiencing intense anger or irritability
Experiencing emotional numbness or withdrawal
Coping by overworking or substance use
Symptoms outwardly appearing as stress, burnout, or anger
Fear of telling others what happened to you
Many men often have never told anyone their experiences before starting therapy. Therapy provides a confidential and safe space, at your time and pace, to heal from trauma.
How does trauma affect women?
Trauma can affect women in many different ways. Some of these ways are:
Chronic anxiety, panic, and overwhelm
Not feeling safe at home or other spaces that we’d like to feel safe
Feeling disconnected from other or with yourself
Seeking relief via eating disorder behaviors, self-harm, or substance use
Repeating unhealthy relationship dynamics
Low self-worth or thoughts of shame
Minimizing your experience or comparing your experiences to others who “had it worse”
Neglecting your emotional wellbeing and prioritizing others
Many women continue functioning outwardly while internally struggling with stress, shame, fear, or emotional exhaustion.
What is PTSD?
PTSD (or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can occurs after one or multiple traumatic experiences. Here are common symptoms of PTSD:
Anxiety and chronic overthinking
Depression or emotional numbness
Burnout, emotional exhaustion, carrying the mental load
Relationship difficulties or people-pleasing
Trauma and difficult past experiences
Life transitions, identity changes, or loss of direction
Having to make difficult decisions alone
Stress related to caregiving, work, or family responsibilities
Difficulty setting boundaries or prioritizing their own needs
It is important to note that a diagnosis of PTSD also includes significant negative impact on someone’s ability to participate in relationships, complete or maintain their work or school work, or disrupt essential daily life activities.
What is C-PTSD?
C-PTSD (or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is not a formal diagnosis but is recognized among clinicians. Symptoms of C-PTSD include the symptoms of PTSD but also often:
Prolonged, inescapable traumas (ongoing child abuse, ongoing domestic violence, etc.)
Changes to personality or identity
Chronic feelings of worthlessness, shame or guilt
Extreme mood swings, persistent sadness, or explosive anger
Significant struggles with trust or maintaining relationships
Feeling “different” from others, feeling damaged, or helpless
Chronic dissociation
More severe or frequent flashbacks
If you believe you have C-PTSD, it is important to seek trauma therapy from a clinician you feel is trustworthy, relational, and wholly present with you. Hurt happens in relationships, and therefore healing must happening in relationships. The therapeutic relationship can be a catalyst for great change and healing.