Trauma Therapy
Atlanta Trauma Therapy
* services also provided virtually in 40+ states
What is Trauma?
Trauma is a distressing event or series of events that significantly impact an individual’s emotional, psychological, or physical well-being. Traumatic experiences can be single incidents, like accidents or assaults, or prolonged and ongoing, such as abuse, combat exposure, or natural disasters. Trauma can also occur in relationships and through both physical as well as psychological injuries. The lasting effects of trauma can manifest in anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, a dysregulated autonomic nervous system, changes in our relationship with food or our body, or difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Responses To Trauma: How It Can Impact Your Wellbeing
No issue is considered too small or insignificant to cause a traumatic response. Everyone reacts differently to situations. Responses can happen immediately after the event occurred, or you may experience a delayed response.
Possible emotional responses:
- -Feeling anxious, sad, angry
- -Trouble sleeping and concentrating
- -Crying
- -Emotional Numbing
- -Flashbacks to the event
- -Feeling irritable
- -Nightmares
- -Avoiding places, people, or things that bring back memories of the event(s)
- -Isolating from family and friends
Possible physical responses:
- -Headaches
- -Stomach pain and digestive problems
- -Feeling tired
- -Fast heart rate
- -Being easily startled
- -Spacing out and trouble living in the present moment
- -Feeling disconnected at times
Trauma Therapy
Know that you do not have to keep feeling the way you are right now and you do not have to deal with this alone. In working with an Atlanta based trauma therapist you will have a safe and confidential space to work towards helping you heal. You can meet with a therapist in the office or virtually. Many of our therapists are also licensed throughout the US, so you do not need to live in Atlanta to meet with our team.
We pride ourselves on providing compassionate, personalized, and thoughtful therapy. During the first therapy appointment we will work with you to establish trust and understand your experiences. We will go at your own pace and will not push you beyond what you are ready for. You may be ready to talk about the events that happened to you or you may not, and both are okay. Trauma therapy may be focused on how to ground and calm yourself, how to set appropriate boundaries and when you need these boundaries, and how to feel relief of your symptoms. When you are ready, therapy may move towards processing the event. Your experiences can be processed without having to recall details of the event. Your therapist will be with you to process the painful emotions, thoughts, memories, and the impact they are having on you.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy
- 1. Reduced anxiety, sadness, and distress and having tools to manage difficult emotions
- 2. Improved healthy coping skills
- 3. Better understanding of yourself
- 4. Improved relationships
- 5. Improved ability to respond to triggers of the event(s)
- 6. Processing of the event(s)
Questions About Therapy
I am afraid to think about the trauma, how can therapy help if I am not ready to talk about it?
Therapy moves at your own pace. You will have control of what you do not want to talk about. Our experienced Atlanta based therapists will check in with you throughout therapy about how you are feeling. It is even typical to first start with anxiety management techniques to help you feel more safe and secure before diving into painful experiences.
I don’t know if my experience is technically trauma, is therapy the right fit?
If you have experienced an event or events that are having a negative impact on you today therapy can help.
I have been to therapy before and it didn’t help, how will this be different?
Working with someone who has specific training, experience, and expertise is incredibly important. The psychologists who specialize in trauma therapy at the practice have worked with clients who have experienced trauma in settings such as private practice, counseling centers, medical centers, and the veteran affairs administration. Our therapists use somatic therapy, EMDR, dynamic approaches, art therapy as well as cognitive therapy.
We know that asking for help might feel challenging. We offer complimentary consultations and are happy to answer any questions that you have.
*In person trauma therapy appointments are located in our Buckhead Atlanta office. We also hold various other state licensures and provide online therapy to clients throughout the country as well as throughout Georgia.
Coping With Trauma Tips
1.Try not to isolate yourself
You may be tempted to withdraw from friends, family, and social instances. However, connecting with others can be helpful in your healing process. Connection and companionship can help reduce feelings of stress and hopelessness.
2.Find a licensed Atlanta therapist who has experience with trauma to help you navigate your struggles
A therapist can help you cope better, process, and move from living to thriving. It is so important to have a safe person to discuss your feelings with. Know that in therapy it will go at your pace, and you will not be pushed to talk about anything you are not ready for. At Best Within You Therapy & Wellness we are here to support you whenever you are ready.
3.Try meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga
Meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, and yoga are a great way to relieve stress and connect your body with your mind. There are even trauma informed yoga practices. These forms of self-care can help you connect with the present moment.
4.Take care of your body
Is it important to give your body the fuel it needs to be able to function throughout the day. It is important to eat regular meals and to drink enough water. Also, try to get outside and get some sunshine if you are able to. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and elevate your endorphins. Though exercise may be the last thing you want to do when you are feeling poorly, exercise can enhance your mood.
5.Follow a routine
Routines can be a healthy way to establish consistency within your life.
When your mind is elsewhere, sometimes daily tasks can be tempting to ignore and feel impossible to accomplish. Though easier said than done, establishing a routine can reduce feelings of hopelessness and stress.
5. Use grounding exercises
Grounding helps connect you with the present moment by pulling you away from unwanted thoughts or feelings. Grounding practices contain a variety of exercises that help you refocus on the moment and move away from anxious or overwhelming thoughts and emotions. They help you to feel calmer and more relaxed and tell your mind and body that you are not in danger and that you are safe in this moment. Grounding practices decrease the chance of experiencing m flashbacks and negative emotions. Our therapists will go through with you grounding exercises. One example is the 5-4-3-2-1 method where you name 5 things you hear, 4 that you see, 3 that you touch, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
If you are looking for a trauma therapist in Atlanta, know that you are in the right place. The psychologists at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness are not only experts in trauma therapy but specialize in help with insomnia, eating disorder treatment, and much more. You can schedule a video appointment or in office appointment with one of our psychologists today.