Trauma Therapy
Are You Struggling To Let Go Of A Traumatic Past?
Are memories of an accident, physical attack or painful loss still haunting you? Perhaps you have trouble managing relationships or trusting partners because you suffered abuse or neglect as a child. Or, it could be that social and political factors, such as being the victim of hostile legislation or having to navigate discrimination or injustice in your community, are driving your symptoms of trauma.
The effects of trauma or a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can compromise almost every aspect of your life. You might be hypervigilant or easily startled, irritable, moody, or quick to anger. You may be having trouble falling asleep or waking periodically throughout the night because of intense, vivid nightmares. You may even be self-sabotaging careers and relationships unknowingly. Or, it could be that you are harming your health by self-medicating with alcohol or drugs to dull emotional pain.
Right now you may be feeling like there is no anchor in your life, nothing secure to hold on to. However, you don’t have to be defined by your trauma indefinitely. Would you like to restore your sense of safety and trust and enjoy greater peace in your life?
Trauma Can Affect Anyone
If you are struggling to overcome the painful effects of trauma or PTSD, you are not alone. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that at least half of all US adults will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. This suggests that most people will likely experience some sort of loss, injury or dramatic change that may interrupt their lives temporarily or on a more extended, persistent basis.
Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes, and whether big or small or seemingly insignificant, they all have the potential to thoroughly disrupt your life. Trauma erodes trust in relationships, reliability at work and can also lead to chronic anxiety or depression. If left unaddressed, trauma can also contribute to several medical conditions.
Fortunately, with the help of a compassionate and skilled trauma therapist, you can begin to free yourself from the pain of the past and learn how to live at greater ease with yourself and the world around you.
Trauma Therapy Can Help You Let Go Of The Past
Like many people who have experienced trauma, just being able to tell your story and feel heard by someone else can be immensely therapeutic. Trauma counseling gives you a space to do just that. Giving voice to the experience and putting it into words can help dissolve the hold that trauma has on you. With my help, you may eventually be able to separate yourself enough from the past and learn to live with less fear and greater security.
In a space of compassion and respect, we’ll begin by listening to you and what you feel comfortable speaking about. We’ll explore your family history, your upbringing, and social and cultural environment. We’ll look at past relationships with parents, caretakers, siblings, and partners. And, we’ll examine areas in which trauma is manifesting and affecting your life so you can begin to gain a greater awareness of its impact and find ways to deal with it.
Opening up about your pain requires trust that can only be built up with time and patience, which may make you feel timid about therapy. So, if you feel like you want to work at a slow pace, that is perfectly okay. Even if we have to chip away at your trauma a little at a time to get to its source, we can still get you to the other side of the healing process.
Because trauma affects everyone in different ways, I offer a broad range of services that can be tailored to address your particular situation. For example, we may focus on developing awareness of feelings and bodily sensations and try to put words to those experiences. We may also work on skills to alleviate distress and help with emotional regulation. We can also discuss the addition of medication to psychotherapy to complement the healing process.
You are probably suffering alone right now, but you don’t have to deal with this on your own. My approach to psychotherapy and trauma-focused therapy can get to the core of your suffering and distance you from the pain of the past. In time, you can enjoy a happier, lighter and more secure relationship with your past—and your future.
I am considering trauma therapy, but I still have a few concerns…
I doubt that anything can help me.
Hopelessness or a wariness about trusting others is understandable, but it’s also a part of trauma. Moreover, that part of trauma may be what’s keeping you from asking for help. Research has shown that people can free themselves from their past, but that doesn’t mean therapy will erase the past.
In fact, trauma treatment teaches you how to find self-acceptance within the context of your trauma so that it no longer defines you. Therapy can help you take ownership of the past and the present.
Will trauma therapy be a painful experience?
Everyone responds to the healing process differently, so I strive to tailor our sessions to the unique dynamics of your situation. That means, if something makes you feel uncomfortable, we can always slow the pace or adjust the nature of our sessions to your liking.
I want to re-emphasize the importance of being listened to. Some people with histories of trauma and PTSD have never been able to tell their story. The sheer act of speaking, of listening to your own voice saying the words in a safe space reminds us of your value and dignity, of your humanness. Part of that value is strength, and it can jumpstart the whole healing process.
What makes your practice special?
I have extensive training in treating PTSD and all forms of trauma in a multitude of contexts. I have spent many years as a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and psychiatrist helping a diverse population of individuals deal with their trauma.
My background as a psychiatrist also means that I have the ability to directly prescribe medications that may assist in the healing process. Although you may be hurting right now, you deserve to have good things and good people in your life, and you deserve to be free from suffering. Trauma counseling can help you get there.
Recovering From PTSD And Trauma Is Possible
If you are struggling to overcome painful memories or thoughts of the past, I can help. Please call 415 673 3125 or email me at sanfranalista@therapyemail.com for a free, 15-minute consultation to see how my approach to trauma psychotherapy can help you.