Most people will experience traumatic events in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, betrayal, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. Some of us experience trauma in the form of performance based acceptance or chronic invalidation.

While people can recover from traumatic events over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, sometimes we discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed.

In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.

Trauma Symptoms

According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5

Avoidance Symptoms

• Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
• Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt

Re-experiencing Symptoms

• Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks

Hyperarousal Symptoms

• Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
• Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
• Sleep disturbances

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

• Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
• Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
• Change in habits or behavior since the trauma

Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Jodie most commonly uses a combination of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic focus, art therapy, and talk therapy in her approach to treating trauma.

If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident that I can help and invite you to contact me today for a free 15 minute consultation.