Therapy for Trauma in Encinitas, CA

*Online Therapy in California is Offered*

Trauma Therapy in California

You’re really doing your best to move on. Really, if it was up to you, this would have been over by now. You’re constantly exhausted and on edge. During the day you can’t concentrate; you’re somehow tired and wired at the same time. You can’t control your thoughts, almost like your memories are running circles around your mind. On top of that, you feel so on edge all of the time. Any minute you could scream, cry, or both at the same time. It feels like the ground beneath your feet is splitting. And any minute now, you’ll fall into the abyss. Unfortunately, feeling like this isn’t reserved for the day. At night, it’s the same- if not worse. Dreams have been replaced by nightmares and sleep has been replaced by restless nights. Nothing helps. Nothing makes the noise stop. You’ve tried everything. And you’re at the end of your rope.

This is what trauma feels like.

From time to time, we all experience unfortunate events, situations and traumas. This can be in the form of physical illness, injury, damage, and it can also be emotional. Trauma is commonly experienced after big events or it accumulates after a series of small experiences. A few examples include:

• like accidents
• such as a car crash
• experiencing a violent attack
• threatened or completed sexual assault
• harassment
• witnessing someone else come to harm
• traumatic birth
• natural disasters
• terrorist attacks
• a history of trauma or abuse
• trauma after medical problems or illness
• abusive relationships.

These are just some of the big experiences that can cause trauma. Every person’s experience of trauma looks different from others that have experienced trauma. With that in mind, we all have different reactions to trauma. Additionally, trauma can also develop from little events that appear smaller and seemingly benign situations. However, they tend to build up after time. For example, repeated hurtful experiences by those around you, microaggressions, and gaslighting in your relationships.

The Impact of Trauma

Both the “big T” and “little t” traumas have a profound effect on how you feel about yourself. They impact the development of symptoms like anxiety, panic, anger, and depression. And, how you see yourself in your relationships. Feelings of guilt and shame surface. And, consume your thoughts. The impact of trauma is persistent and you feel it on a daily basis. It doesn’t take a day off. Trauma finds a way to interfere with your ability to focus and concentrate. It interrupts your ability to regulate your emotions. Often, it disrupts your capacity to work and upsetting your capacity to be with loved ones. Trauma creeps into all aspects of your life and leaves you feeling miserable.

When do people seek trauma therapy?

We know that everyone is on a different timeline when it comes to experiencing trauma. Some are ready to seek trauma therapy while others need a little more time. Trauma therapists know this and have worked with individuals at both spectrums. In addition, trauma impacts us all differently and at different lengths. This varies from person to person and doesn’t have a “one size fits all option.” Trauma really does filter through into all of your experiences. Trauma therapy can be very effective in mitigating and making sense of how it might be impacting you.

Common reasons people might seek trauma therapy include:

• Experiencing symptoms of PTSD. This includes re-experiencing the event (involuntarily reliving the trauma in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, or memories); avoidance of anything that becomes a reminder of the trauma; hyperarousal or when it feels like your body and mind are in a constant state of alert; and/or distressing thoughts and feelings.
• Noticing that you have developed a very negative view of yourself, including ongoing feelings of guilt, shame and helplessness.
• Trouble regulating your emotions, and often giving way to explosive outbursts, intense sadness and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
• Difficulty developing or maintaining relationships, feeling that others are not trustworthy.
• Developing unhealthy coping mechanisms to avoid thinking or feeling, such as gambling, drinking, drugs, unsafe sex or even extreme sports.

Healing is Possible with Trauma Therapy

No matter how big or small your trauma, the consequences can be profound and overwhelming to manage. A trauma therapist will provide a compassionate and supportive ear as you navigate the changes and challenges of what you have experienced. Through our work together in trauma therapy, clients do heal. They have found it enormously helpful to work through how the trauma has impacted them. Most importantly, they learn how to continue going on despite the depth and breadth of how it has changed their lives.

The Headway Therapy Approach to Trauma Therapy

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to trauma. And, it isn’t something that can be resolved in a short amount of time. At Headway Therapy, we recognize that trauma changes the way you feel about yourself and can often lead to an overly negative and hopeless lens through which you view the world and yourself. By helping you work through these thoughts and feelings, we may be able to shift the negativity and hopelessness you experience.

Our Role in Trauma Therapy

Typically, we begin working through the trauma at your pace. You start where you feel comfortable sharing the details of the experience, as well as how it has impacted you. This can be difficult work. There will be sessions that focus exclusively on the trauma so that your trauma therapist can understand what has happened.  At some point, you won’t look forward to coming to our sessions. And, this is completely normal. However, it will begin to get easier. Throughout this retelling, your trauma therapist will be very attuned to your experience. They will go at your pace, supporting you with managing the distress and discomfort that may arise.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in Trauma Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has garnered significant recognition for its effectiveness in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (However, its benefits extend well beyond PTSD, offering relief for a wide array of mental health challenges from anxiety to stress to depression). EMDR can help by addressing the underlying distressing memories and significantly reducing the emotional burden they carry. By focusing on the root causes of distress, EMDR therapy offers a unique approach to reducing emotional pain and fostering healing. It’s a powerful tool for those ready to reclaim their lives and find peace of mind.

Narrative Therapy in Trauma Therapy

Narrative therapy refers to the “retelling” of your experiences. This functions to help you navigate and process the feelings that arise. Throughout this process, you’ll begin to tolerate the discomfort. And, it also helps you begin to understand and create a narrative around what has happened to you. So, that you might begin to create a new lens through which to see yourself and your experience. In particular, we focus on building up your strengths and your resilience. The goal when you leave trauma therapy is that you will no longer be consumed by thoughts of what has happened. Or, what might again happen. Instead, you will feel in control of your thoughts and feelings. And, you’ll begin learning to trust in both yourself and others again.

Online Therapy for Trauma in California

Headway Therapy is able to provide you quality trauma therapy with online therapy in California. Through online therapy for trauma, I am able to assist you in navigating the experiences you’re having. Life after trauma is exhausting and isolating. So, online therapy ensures that we’re able to serve you anywhere you are in California. With online trauma therapy, you don’t have to factor in geographic location when picking a provider. An online therapy platform allows you many different options for providers- so no need to compromise on quality!

Begin Trauma Therapy in San Diego, CA

The weight you’re carrying is increasing. Sometimes, it can feel like there’s no way out. However, that’s not the case. Starting trauma therapy in San Diego, CA with Headway Therapy can help. The days of struggling through your trauma alone are over. To start your trauma therapy journey, follow these steps:

1. Contact Headway Therapy.
2. Meet with Amanda Freeman, PhD, PMH-C.
3. Begin working through your trauma.

Other Counseling Services at Headway Therapy

Trauma therapy is not the only service we offer in Encinitas.  Online therapy in California is available. Other mental health services at Headway Therapy include depression counseling, anxiety treatment. counseling for infertility, and therapy for pregnant/postpartum families. Whatever season of life you’re experiencing, I’m happy to provide you with support.