Our therapists offer PTSD & trauma therapy in Dallas, GA

Debra: A primary method for helping others with PTSD is regulating emotions and identifying self-care. There is enjoyment in seeing the benefit of emotional regulation and watching healthier relationships and sustained behaviors develop in work and recreational settings.

Catherine: My go-to approach for helping people in PTSD/trauma therapy is to teach the client about how trauma affects them. That is the first and most important thing! So many times, a client with PTSD just feels like they are going crazy because PTSD affects so many areas of their life. You aren't going crazy. You have trauma. Trauma affects the brain in a lot of different ways.

Debra: Tools that are commonly taught in PTSD settings include establishing safe environments, figuring out triggers and learned patterns, ways to manage symptoms, creating healthier habits for oneself, and regulating emotions to manage difficult situations.

Catherine: I teach the following tools in PTSD/trauma therapy:

• Information on medicine/natural supplements that may help with more severe symptoms
• Grounding skills to help with panic attacks
• Calming skills to help with feeling anxious
• EMDR skills to help the client become unstuck in their trauma
• Skills from CBT to aid the client in changing the way they think about themselves and the world

Debra: When clients are making meaningful progress, they report gaining control over their lives and can depend on themselves to regulate and incorporate daily behaviors that are habits of healthy self-care.

Catherine: Progress is different for everyone because everyone's personality is different. For the most part, I know a client is making meaningful progress in PTSD/trauma therapy when they are able to talk about the trauma without becoming escalated. I notice their PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores start to become more in the less severe range as well.

Debra: Clients can supplement their time in trauma therapy by monitoring for triggers, remaining in safe environments when possible, and practicing daily self-care habits.

Catherine: Clients can supplement their time in PTSD/trauma therapy by practicing the skills that are taught in sessions and doing the homework that we will discuss in sessions. In some areas, there are PTSD/trauma groups they might consider attending. They can also invest in themselves by including daily self-care.

Debra: To prepare for the first PTSD session, it is recommended to come in a mindset of learning, be open to change, and read what PTSD truly is rather than getting casual definitions from others.

Catherine: To prepare for their first PTSD/trauma therapy session, the client can first congratulate themself. Trusting a stranger with your deep pain takes a lot of courage! They can try to think about what in their life they want to change. What symptoms do they experience that are the worst? Where does the client want to work first?