Trauma Therapy at Weston Family Psychology Is a Place Where Healing Can Begin

Seeking help after a traumatic event(s) can be overwhelming and challenging. We recognize it takes courage and effort to even reach out. We are here to meet you where you are and help you start your healing journey.

Let’s take the next step together.

Have You or Your Child Experienced Trauma and Struggling To Overcome Its Impact?

Distressing or dangerous events can cause trauma and leave individuals struggling with stress, fear, and intrusive memories long after the event has occurred.

Understanding Trauma

Traumatic events impact more people than we might expect. Statistics show that around 55 to 90 out of every 100 people in the US have experienced some form of a traumatic event.

People respond to traumatic events differently, and while some people will recover from such events with support from others in their community, others will struggle to recover without more support.

Types of Trauma

Generally, the two main types of traumatic events:

1. Interpersonal – involves harm or threat from another person or persons

2. Natural/non-human – events that are not caused by intentional human actions.

These events can occur at any stage of an individual’s life and may consist of a single incident or multiple occurrences.

Various factors influence the effects on the psychological well-being of the person. These factors can be examined at your own pace in collaboration with your therapist, who can provide guidance and support.

Childhood Trauma

Traumatic events during childhood, especially interpersonal trauma and when the perpetrator is a family member, can have long-lasting negative impacts on the development of a child's life. It can lead to difficulty in managing emotions, negative self-perception, and problems in relationships.

Also, unresolved trauma that occurred during childhood can have a profound impact on a person's adulthood, which can manifest in various ways.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences are defined as traumatic and detrimental experiences during childhood and have long-term destructive effects on our health. They fall within three main categories: abuse, household challenges, and neglect.

Although ACEs are concerning on their own, an increasing number of people are starting to talk about their prevalence and impact on our society. This is because, to make changes, we must bring attention to the issue. We cover ACEs in depth here.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing a traumatic event(s) can leave lasting physical and emotional scars that impact you in your daily functioning and your relationships. People who experience traumatic events can experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which happens when the mind and the body are not able to resolve the traumatic experience. Symptoms typically include:

Intrusive Thoughts

These are recurring and distressing thoughts, memories, or nightmares related to the traumatic event.
  • Upsetting memories of the trauma that pop into your mind
  • Bad dreams that are related to the traumatic event
  • Feeling like the traumatic event is happening again, like a flashback
  • Certain things or situations that remind you of the trauma make you very anxious or upset
  • Your body reacts strongly to things that remind you of the trauma, like your heart racing or feeling on edge

Persistent Avoidance

People with PTSD may go to great lengths to avoid reminders of the traumatic event. This avoidance can extend to both external triggers and internal emotions. 

  • Trying not to think about or remember distressing thoughts and feelings related to the trauma
  • Avoiding people, places, or things that bring back distressing memories or feelings about the trauma

Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood

Individuals with PTSD often experience changes in their thought patterns and emotional states.
  • Not remembering an important part of the trauma
  • Having strong, negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
  • Distorted thoughts about what caused the trauma and who is to blame
  • Constant negative emotional states like fear, anger, guilt, or shame
  • Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
  • Feeling distant from other people
  • Unable to feel positive emotions like happiness or love

Arousal and Reactivity

These symptoms are often associated with heightened stress responses and can be chronic and disruptive. 

  • Getting really irritable and having angry outbursts even without a reason
  • Acting recklessly or harming yourself
  • Being always on high alert
  • Easily getting startled
  • Finding it hard to concentrate
  • Your sleep is disrupted, making it tough to fall asleep or stay asleep

Why Choose Our Trauma Treatment?

Recovery from trauma is a courageous and unique process, and with patience, compassion, and the right resources, individuals can gradually reclaim their lives and integrate traumatic experiences.

Our aim is to establish an empathetic and empowering space, fostering collaborative work to help individuals regulate emotions, process trauma, and build a healthy lifestyle.

We prioritize developing a therapeutic relationship, acknowledging its significance, particularly in comparison to other therapies. The initial session focuses on learning about you and respecting boundaries until you feel ready to delve deeper into your experiences.

Weston Family Psychology strives to provide a safe and supportive environment aligned with Judith Herman’s “Three Phase Model of Treatment,” emphasizing safety and stability, trauma processing, and reconnection.

Three Phase Model of Treatment

1

Safety and Stability
Emotion Regulation and Coping Skills
 

We concentrate on exploring and practicing healthy coping skills to assist you in regulating your emotions and managing symptoms associated with PTSD or Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

Discussing traumatic experiences can be overwhelming and painful, so your therapist will adapt to your pace and provide you with tools to regulate and manage your emotions as you advance in your healing journey. We will collaborate to identify the most effective approach to address your needs.

2

Trauma Processing
Evidence-Based Treatment
 

In this phase, we utilize evidence-based modalities best suited to assist you in processing traumatic experiences. You’ll gain insights into the impacts of these experiences on your mind and body.

3

Reconnection
Learning To Reconnect With Family, Friends, and Society as a Whole

Phase Three begins with integrating the traumatic event(s) into your life. The therapeutic process varies among individuals, with some experiencing brief disruptions in their daily lives while others undergo profound transformations requiring assistance to regain stability and pursue their goals.

Collaborative efforts between the individual and their therapist aim to support the patient’s journey, fostering a sense of accomplishment and renewed potential in achieving personal aspirations.

Take the First Step Towards Healing From Trauma With the Best Care Possible

Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma Processing

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

Prolonged Exposure therapy, commonly used for PTSD symptoms, aims to address avoidance behaviors related to traumatic experiences. Clinicians gently guide patients toward remembering and gradually expose them to traumatic events in a controlled and grounding environment.

Through imaginal or real exposures, agreed upon collaboratively, patients gain understanding, reducing the impact of traumatic memories on daily functioning over time with specialized guidance.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) has proven effective in addressing PTSD symptoms and related challenges. Beyond trauma, it tackles issues such as trust, intimacy, power, control, and safety.

In addition to in-session discussions, engaging in assigned tasks outside sessions, a practice shown to expedite trauma recovery is encouraged.

CPT focuses on surfacing and reevaluating patients’ thoughts and feelings about traumatic events, helping them break free from trauma’s hold. By understanding altered thought patterns and beliefs, patients gain insight into the impact of trauma on various aspects of their lives, fostering integration and healing.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a framework designed for children aged 3 to 18 who have experienced trauma, typically completed in 12-20 weeks, accounting for individual variations.

Homework enhances treatment effectiveness and promotes skill practice and healthy habits. Our flexible sessions incorporate various resources, games, activities, and parent involvement.

Recognizing that some children may benefit from additional therapies, we prioritize building rapport, trust, and understanding within the therapeutic relationship, tailoring our approach to individual strengths, weaknesses, and interests.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): A Workbook-Based Therapy for Children 6 to 14

We work with children and parents to assist with learning and implementing skills, as well as empathy from parents to understand their child’s experience.

TF-CBT usually takes 12 to 20 weeks and includes homework to practice newly learned skills and encourage healthy habits. Therapists use a flexible approach, including games, activities, audio relaxation, and parent involvement, to adapt to the child's individual needs.

Parents are a crucial part of TF-CBT; a combination of child, parent, and joint sessions are utilized. Some children may require other types of therapy before, during, or after TF-CBT.

The therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance. Establishing rapport and trust takes time, and we make sure to get to know each individual child’s and family’s (strengths, weaknesses, interests, etc.).

Are You Ready To Start Your Healing Journey?

Weston Family Psychology provides compassionate and evidence-based care for individuals struggling with trauma. Our experienced clinicians are committed to helping you or your child overcome trauma and bring back joy and hope.