Most people experience negative events at some point in their lifetime, however clinically traumatic events are typically much more extreme and not something that most people typically experience in their lifetime. Examples can include a severe motor vehlce injury, severe physical or sexual assault, war, natural disaster, or other event resulting in death or near death.   

 Immediately after a traumatic event, shock and denial are often typical. Other common reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.  However symptoms are sometimes delayed and not apparent until much later after a traumatic event has occurred. It is important that people seek treatment to get "checked out" as soon as possible after a traumatic event has occurred as people are more likely to recover from the trauma when treatment occurs sooner than later. Unaddressed trauma can be more difficult to treat as long term traumatic response can result in deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, substance use, and relationship problems for many years far after the event has passed.  

Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are two of the most well known and evidenced based treatments for trauma.

I have been successfully treating trauma for over 20 years so if you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic or life threatening event recently or even in the distant past, please contact me for an appointment as you owe it to yourself to be free from the effects of trauma.