Trauma Therapy

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Do you feel like your life is out of control? Do you feel like you can’t find a sense of calm in all the chaos around you? Do you feel like the world around you is unsafe? 

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Going through a traumatic event can make a person feel like they are someone else. Even a happy individual can lose their sense of joy after experiencing a traumatic event. It is hard for someone who has experienced trauma to enjoy life as it comes. It can become difficult for them to maintain friendships and have an active social life. It can become difficult for them to take care of themselves.

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Trauma can make us feel like we’re never going to feel like ourselves again. Instead of feeling like our days are a joy, they can feel like a battle. It can be hard to stop reliving what has happened. It can be terrifying to be alone. We can become nervous wrecks every-time we have to show up for work. And even occasions that were once enjoyable, like going to a party or going on a date, can feel more like chores, giving us excruciating anxiety.  

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After experiencing a traumatic event, it’s not good for individuals to be in denial about what’s happened to them. Trauma is serious, and it takes time to overcome it. Feeling like a victim for the rest of their life is not the answer. The goal should be for them to feel in control of their lives again. The goal should be for them to have a normal life again.

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The effects of trauma are long-lasting. Just when a person feels like they are getting better, something insignificant can trigger their trauma, and they feel like they are at square one again. They can lose their sense of who they are and feel like a victim all over again.

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Do you feel victimized, terrified, and alone?

 

Have you become someone you don’t even recognize? No matter how strong someone is or how brave they try to be, it is difficult to move past trauma without help. Most individuals think that time will erase their pain and that things will gradually get better. But sometimes trauma counseling is necessary in order to learn to live a fulfilling life again.

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It’s difficult for a human being to admit when they aren’t as confident as they used to be or when they don’t function as well. Life changes, and they need to learn coping strategies to deal with their new reality.

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Everyone who has been through trauma has to realize that they are living in a new normal. People have a tendency to feel like victims after experiencing trauma. But they can learn to focus on their strengths instead. The key to recovery is for one to focus on their strengths and to develop a plan to address the areas of their lives they want to improve. 

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The Trauma Counseling Process

 

Trauma Counseling is meant to help you learn the coping skills you need to manage the symptoms of the trauma you've experienced. Together, we will strive to reduce your symptoms and improve your ability to connect and relate to loved ones. We will discover ways for you to regain ownership of your daily tasks and complete them without feeling weighed down by your past.

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We'll meet together weekly for 50-minute sessions. Typically, trauma counseling continues for three months, but treatment may be longer depending on the complexity of your traumatic experience. Research shows that those without a healthy support system or those with a co-occurring diagnosis may require more time in therapy. Still, the evidence behind the success of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is substantial.

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Here's what to expect:

WEEK ONE: Intake

During this initial session, we will define the counseling relationship and discuss the details of informed consent. We will gather information about you, your family members, your biological, psychological and social history, and how this is impacting your current situation. We will also discuss the goals you have going forward.

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WEEK TWO and Beyond: Trauma Counseling

Together, in each subsequent session, we will use the evidenced-based psychotherapy model, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to treat the struggles you are experiencing after your traumatic event. With this model, we will give your story a voice and explore the dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are keeping you from functioning the way you would like to.

Next, we will prepare select loved ones to hear your story and process any anxiety they have around the event. Once they are ready, we will invite them to listen to your story so that you can reduce the negative feeling surrounding your trauma and begin to reclaim your identity. This approach also builds your support system outside of the counseling session.

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Each session will be designed to discover how the above factors contribute to your current distress. Together we will process the current state of your experience with trauma and how it is affecting your family relationships and set goals for where you want them to be.

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TERMINATION: 1-2 Final Sessions

In our final sessions, we will review your goals to ensure you are satisfied with your counseling experience and that our work together has met your expectations. We will also outline a plan going forward so that you can retain what we have worked on together and implement all you have learned outside of the session.

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More About Us

We believe wholeheartedly in research. We devote ourselves to the study of healing and using knowledge to help trauma victims claim their power back and live fulfilling lives. Our passion in life is to use evidence-based practices with our trauma clients to benefit from the latest science and data.

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Whether your traumatic experience was recent or took place years ago, you can rid yourself of any shame or guilt surrounding the event and move past it in a healthy way. We are dedicated to helping those with traumatic backgrounds increase their positive reactions to others and form functional and bonded relationships with their family members.

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Our mission is to help victims see beyond the fear and anxiety of a traumatized life to the joy of what life can be once they find a sense of normalcy again. You can read more about us in the "about me" section.

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Who Benefits Most from Trauma Counseling?

Trauma Counseling is best for those who can identify what has happened to them and face the events head-on. Trauma Counseling helps individuals work at their own pace to process the fears that prevent them from accomplishing daily tasks, caring for themselves, and connecting with loved ones.

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• You will benefit from trauma counseling sessions if:

• You are interested in learning how trauma has affected your body and brain

• You are willing to adapt the skills you learn in the therapy room to your life outside of the sessions

• You are ashamed of your experiences, and sharing your story causes you anxiety and pain

• You are ready to find a way to regulate your emotions so that you can move forward in a more steady and stable way

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What Does Trauma Counseling Cost?

 

Trauma Counseling is a fee-for-service program, and Hope & Thrive Counseling Center accepts all major forms of payment.

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Each session's cost varies, and we will discuss the recommended number of sessions during our initial contact based on your unique situation.

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We accept insurance and offer in-network and out-of-network benefits. You can read more about the policies we accept and payment options here.

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Your Next Steps

 

It is possible to live a fear, shame, and guilt-free life. You will be able to freely experience new situations without constantly looking over your shoulder or doubting yourself. You will feel a sense of pride knowing that you have taken back your power and created an existence on your own terms.

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Even if your experiences have shaken you to your core and made you doubt yourself, that doesn't mean you can't start moving on with your life and reclaiming your identity.

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We will help you gain the coping skills to reduce your anxiety so that you can show up and function in your life without worry. You'll be able to hold your head high while you tell your story. Ultimately, you'll find a way to progress beyond your past, experience more positive interactions with others, and connect on a deeper, more intimate level with your loved ones.

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To schedule a Trauma Counseling session with Hope & Thrive Counseling Center call 360-383-8682

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If you are having an emergency please call 9-1-1, go to the local ER, and/or call the crisis line at 800-584-3578.

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