Therapy for Trauma

in Mission Valley, CA

Unlock New Paths to Healing: Embrace Hope with Trauma Therapy in Mission Valley!

Experiencing trauma can stem from various sources such as abuse, accidents, loss, or witnessing disturbing events. Trauma can overwhelm our ability to cope, leaving deep emotional wounds that can affect every aspect of our lives. It is like a wound that never quite heals, reverberating through thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Normal activities can become fraught with anxiety, as the world feels unsafe and unpredictable. Yet, as you begin to heal from your trauma, you begin to truly understand your experiences, gradually restore your sense of safety, and begin to feel whole once again.


I understand the profound and often long-lasting effects of trauma. Together, I will empower you to turn towards your trauma to find healing and wholeness, so you can begin to experience a life of joy, connection and inner peace.

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Healing from Trauma is Possible: Rediscover How to Feel Whole Again!

How Therapy in Mission Valley can Heal Trauma


Therapy can provide techniques to help you to explore and process traumatic memories, reduce symptoms such as anxiety and flashbacks, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. I specialize in providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, utilizing approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) techniques. Here are several ways therapy can facilitate healing from trauma:

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Safe Environment

Providing a safe and supportive space to explore and process traumatic experiences without judgment or pressure

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Emotional Regulation

Teaching grounding techniques to manage overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, fear, and sadness

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Understanding Trauma Responses

Helping individuals to understand their unique trauma responses and to normalize their experiences

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Improving Relationships

Addressing how trauma may impact relationships and providing tools to improve communication and connection

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Long-Term Recovery

Supporting individuals in their journey of long-term recovery and helping them reclaim their lives beyond trauma

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Healing Traumatic Memories

Facilitating the processing and integration of traumatic memories to reduce their emotional intensity

Practical Tips to Heal Your Trauma Symptoms

When we become triggered by trauma and are feeling overwhelmed, there are many coping skills we can implement to decrease trauma symptoms and stay connected to the present moment. Some of these coping skills include: 

Grounding Through Nature

Spend time in nature focusing on the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural environment around you 

Physical Movement

Engage in gentle physical activities like stretching, walking, or tapping your feet to feel connected to your body and the present moment

5-4-3-2-1 Technique

Engage your senses by identifying and naming:

• 5 things you can see

• 4 things you can touch

• 3 things you can hear

• 2 things you can smell

• 1 thing you can taste

Self-Talk

Use reassuring and grounding statements to remind yourself of the present reality and safety, such as "I am here, and I am safe

Breathing Exercises

Focus on slow, deep breathing to calm the nervous system and bring attention to the sensation of your breath moving in and out

Visualization

Picture a safe and calming place in your mind, imagining the sights, sounds, and sensations associated with that place

Healing From Trauma Takes Time

These are a few grounding techniques that can help you to manage dissociation, anxiety, and other symptoms triggered by trauma memories, promoting a sense of safety and stability in the present moment. These techniques are tailored in trauma therapy sessions to suit the individual needs and preferences of each client. 

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Common Questions About Trauma

  • Am I experiencing trauma?

    Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope and leaves a lasting impact on their physical, emotional, or psychological well-being. Trauma can result from various events or situations, including:


    • Physical Trauma: Injuries, accidents, or medical procedures that cause physical harm.


    • Emotional Trauma: Intense emotional experiences such as grief, loss, or betrayal.


    • Psychological Trauma: Witnessing or experiencing events that threaten one's safety or well-being, such as violence, abuse, or natural disasters.


    Trauma can affect individuals differently based on factors such as their resilience, support system, and previous experiences. Common responses to trauma may include:


    • Emotional Reactions: Shock, disbelief, fear, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, or numbness.


    • Physical Reactions: Sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or heightened startle response.


    • Cognitive Reactions: Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or confusion.


    • Behavioral Reactions: Avoidance of reminders of the trauma, social withdrawal, hypervigilance, irritability, or self-destructive behaviors.


    When these reactions persist over time and interfere with daily functioning, they may indicate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related disorders. Treatment for trauma often involves therapy approaches such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) or other specialized interventions aimed at processing the trauma, reducing symptoms, and promoting healing and resilience.


    If you have experienced trauama and think you might be experiencing trauma symptoms, please feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • What are symptoms of trauma?

    Trauma symptoms can manifest in various ways and may differ from person to person based on their unique experiences and coping mechanisms. Here are some common symptoms of trauma:


    • Intrusive Thoughts and Memories: Persistent and distressing memories of the traumatic event(s), flashbacks (feeling as if the event is happening again), nightmares, or intrusive thoughts.


    • Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the trauma, including places, people, activities, or conversations that trigger distressing memories or emotions.


    • Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world (e.g., feeling worthless or hopeless), persistent negative emotions (e.g., fear, anger, guilt), feeling emotionally numb, or experiencing a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.


    • Hyperarousal: Hypervigilance (being overly alert or on guard), exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, irritability or anger outbursts, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.


    • Changes in Reactivity: Engaging in reckless or self-destructive behavior, being easily startled, or having difficulty with concentration or memory


    These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and not everyone experiences all of them. Trauma is a treatable condition, and therapy can provide effective strategies and support for managing symptoms and improving overall well-being. 


    If you think you are experiencing trauma and are considering therapy, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • Trauma screening questionnaire

    This is a Brief Trauma Screening Questionnaire for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Please consider the following reactions which sometimes occur after a traumatic event. This questionnaire is concerned with your personal reactions to the traumatic event which happened to you. Please indicate (Yes/No) whether or not you have experienced any of the following at least twice in the past week. 


    1. Upsetting thoughts or memories about the event that have come into your mind against your will


    2. Upsetting dreams about the event


    3. Acting or feeling as though the event were happening again


    4. Feeling upset by reminders of the event 


    5. Bodily reactions (such as fast heartbeat, stomach churning, sweatiness, dizziness) when reminded of the event


    6. Difficulty falling or staying asleep


    7. Irritability or outbursts of anger


    8. Difficulty concentrating


    9. Heightened awareness of potential dangers to yourself and others


    10. Being jumpy or being startled at something unexpected


    If you have answered yes to six or more of these questions, you may want to consider talking with your medical doctor or a therapist to help you to decrease your on-going reactions to the traumatic event. Please feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • Should I go to therapy if I have experienced trauma?

    Yes, seeking therapy for trauma can be incredibly beneficial and is often highly recommended. Here are several reasons why therapy can be worthwhile for addressing trauma:


    • Validation and Support: Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where your experiences are validated without judgment. This can help you feel understood and less alone in dealing with your trauma.


    • Understanding and Coping: A therapist can help you understand the effects of trauma on your life and provide coping strategies to manage symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and mood swings.


    • Processing Emotions: Therapy offers a structured approach to explore and process difficult emotions related to the trauma. This can lead to a reduction in emotional distress and an increased sense of control over your reactions.


    • Changing Negative Patterns: Therapy can help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that may have developed as a result of the trauma. This can lead to healthier ways of thinking and improved self-esteem.


    • Improving Relationships: Addressing trauma in therapy can improve your ability to trust others, communicate effectively, and maintain healthy relationships.


    • Promoting Healing: By addressing trauma in therapy, you can promote healing and reduce the long-term impact of the traumatic experience on your life.


    • Empowerment and Resilience: Therapy can empower you to regain a sense of agency and resilience in navigating challenges and achieving your goals.


    Overall, therapy provides a structured and supportive environment to help you heal from trauma, improve your quality of life, and move forward with greater confidence and well-being.


    If you think you are experiencing trauma and are considering therapy, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.

  • How many sessions of therapy are necessary for healing trauma?

    The number of therapy sessions needed to heal from trauma can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the trauma, individual resilience, the presence of additional mental health issues, and the type of therapeutic approach used. Here are some considerations:


    • Severity of Trauma: More severe or complex traumas may require longer-term therapy compared to less severe traumas.


    • Individual Resilience: Each person responds differently to therapy based on their coping skills, support systems, and personal strengths.


    • Therapeutic Approach: Different therapeutic modalities may have varying durations and effectiveness for trauma treatment. Some evidence-based therapies for trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or prolonged exposure therapy, are often designed to be more structured and time-limited.


    • Additional Factors: Co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety) and external stressors can also influence the duration and effectiveness of therapy for trauma.


    Generally, trauma therapy is not typically brief and may involve several months to years of regular sessions for significant healing to occur. Many therapists suggest starting with weekly sessions and adjusting the frequency as progress is made. The goal is to provide enough time and space for individuals to process their trauma, develop coping skills, and integrate new ways of thinking and behaving. Therapy for trauma focuses not just on symptom reduction but also on promoting resilience, empowerment, and long-term recovery.


    If you have experienced trauma, and/or have trauma symptoms present and are considering therapy, please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals, and support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.