Specialized Therapy for PTSD & Complex Trauma Recovery
Helping you define your life by who you are and not what was done to you.
Do I have PTSD?
Life can bring us through moments of intense stress, fear, or trauma. While these experiences are a part of the human journey, sometimes they leave lasting imprints on our minds and bodies. If you're reading this, you may be asking yourself a crucial question: "Do I have PTSD?"
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop in the aftermath of a deeply distressing event or series of events. It's not limited to those who've experienced combat; trauma can manifest in various forms, affecting individuals from all walks of life.
You might have PTSD if you experience the following:
You've experienced flashbacks, nightmares, or severe anxiety after a traumatic event.
If you find yourself avoiding situations, people, or places that remind you of a traumatic experience.
If you are constantly feeling on edge, easily startled, or excessively watchful for danger.
You have intrusive memories, thoughts, or distressing images related to the trauma may intrude into your daily life.
It is difficult to experience positive emotions, you feel emotionally detached, or a there is general sense of emptiness.
Persistent sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or nightmares, can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
You have frequent mood swings, irritability, and outbursts of anger,
If you've withdrawn from social activities or isolated yourself from loved ones due to your trauma.
You might have CPTSD if you relate to the following:
You have experienced a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, poverty, exposure to violence, addiction, alcoholism, or enduring high levels of chronic stress.
You find yourself occasionally overwhelmed by your emotions, to the point where you might consider yourself "over-sensitive" or "over-reactive." You might have even been called these things by others in your life.
You struggle to lift yourself out of a dark mood once you're in it.
You encounter difficulties with memory, concentration, and maintaining consistent focus on tasks until completion.
You are burdened by anxiety, depression, addiction, or alcohol-related issues in your own life. You find yourself in a constant game of “whack-a-mole”, reaching for other “substances” like food, sex, gambling, or shopping when you decide to stop drinking or using substances.
The way you express anger creates complications in your relationships, work, or overall life. You sometimes feel trapped in a cycle of anxious thoughts, making it challenging to relax or sleep when you need to.
You’ve ever said the words, “it wasn’t THAT bad”.
You CAN get out of survival mode.
how we can help
Most people who struggle with symptoms of early trauma don’t even know it.
Complex trauma (CPTSD) can create deep-seated patterns of behavior and emotional responses that act as barriers to personal growth, fulfillment, and genuine connection with others. These reactions may manifest as self-sabotage, fear of intimacy, chronic self-doubt, or a constant state of hypervigilance, among other challenges.
By engaging in therapy, you can actively work towards unraveling these deeply ingrained reactions, freeing yourself from their grip, and allowing yourself to embrace a life defined by happiness, love, and self-assuredness.
We will help you gain insight into the origins and triggers of these trauma-driven reactions, exploring the emotional wounds, negative beliefs, and distorted perceptions that have taken root as a result of your past experiences.
By shedding light on these underlying factors, therapy provides an opportunity for you to challenge and reframe these beliefs, fostering a new perspective and empowering you to break free from the limitations they impose.
Through our work together, therapy serves as a catalyst for your personal growth and transformation. It opens the door to a vibrant, love-filled, and confident life that you are inherently meant to have. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way as you reclaim your true self and embrace the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
What is trauma-informed care?
Little Seed Counseling, PLLC. strives to be trauma-informed. Read below to find out what that encompasses.
Trauma Awareness: Those who are trauma informed will understand the prevalence and impact of trauma among their service recipients and within the workforce. Policy and practice reflect this awareness and may be supported with activities such as screening and assessments.
Safety: Policy and practice reflect a commitment to provide physical and emotional safety for service recipients and staff.
Choice & Empowerment: to facilitate healing and avoid re-traumatization, choice and empowerment are part of trauma informed service delivery, for both service recipients and staff
Strength & Resilience: With a focus on strength and resilience, service recipients and staff build skills that will help them move in a positive direction.
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a potent approach that facilitates emotional healing from distressing life experiences. Unlike traditional therapies, online EMDR therapy offers expedited relief, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking help through online therapy.
Much like physical wounds, the mind can recover from psychological trauma. Online EMDR therapy recognizes that emotional pain can linger when the mind's natural healing process is hindered by disturbing events. However, with the support of skilled therapists in North Carolina, you can embark on a transformative journey toward emotional well-being.
Numerous controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online EMDR therapy. In some cases, as little as three online sessions have resulted in 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer meeting the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even more complex cases have shown remarkable improvements after only six online sessions.
Online EMDR therapy is widely recognized by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense for its efficacy in treating trauma and related issues. With access to the best therapists in North Carolina, you can experience the benefits of online therapy from the comfort of your own home.
Online EMDR therapy consists of eight phases, with bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, used during a crucial part of the process. Clients hold aspects of distressing memories in mind while participating in online therapy sessions. This bilateral stimulation triggers internal associations, allowing clients to process memories and emotions effectively.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, online EMDR relies on the client's accelerated intellectual and emotional processes. Clients emerge feeling empowered, their wounds not merely closed but transformed. With online therapy, emotional health and resolution are within reach, often without extensive verbal discussion or homework assignments commonly found in other therapeutic approaches. Reach out to the best therapists in North Carolina to embark on your online EMDR therapy journey today.
What to expect in my first EMDR session:
EMDR therapy combines different elements to maximize treatment effects. A full description of the theory, sequence of treatment, and research on protocols and active mechanisms can be found in F. Shapiro (2001) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols and procedures (2nd edition) New York: Guilford Press.
EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events. Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions. With EMDR therapy, these items are addressed using an eight-phase treatment approach.
Phase 1: The first phase is a history-taking session(s). The therapist assesses the client’s readiness and develops a treatment plan. Client and therapist identify possible targets for EMDR processing. These include distressing memories and current situations that cause emotional distress. Other targets may include related incidents in the past. Emphasis is placed on the development of specific skills and behaviors that will be needed by the client in future situations.
Initial EMDR processing may be directed to childhood events rather than to adult onset stressors or the identified critical incident if the client had a problematic childhood. Clients generally gain insight on their situations, the emotional distress resolves and they start to change their behaviors. The length of treatment depends upon the number of traumas and the age of PTSD onset. Generally, those with single event adult onset trauma can be successfully treated in under 5 hours. Multiple trauma victims may require a longer treatment time.
Phase 2: During the second phase of treatment, the therapist ensures that the client has several different ways of handling emotional distress. The therapist may teach the client a variety of imagery and stress reduction techniques the client can use during and between sessions. A goal of EMDR therapy is to produce rapid and effective change while the client maintains equilibrium during and between sessions.
Phases 3-6: In phases three to six, a target is identified and processed using EMDR therapy procedures. These involve the client identifying three things:
1. The vivid visual image related to the memory
2. A negative belief about self
3. Related emotions and body sensations.
In addition, the client identifies a positive belief. The therapist helps the client rate the positive belief as well as the intensity of the negative emotions. After this, the client is instructed to focus on the image, negative thought, and body sensations while simultaneously engaging in EMDR processing using sets of bilateral stimulation. These sets may include eye movements, taps, or tones. The type and length of these sets is different for each client. At this point, the EMDR client is instructed to just notice whatever spontaneously happens.
After each set of stimulation, the clinician instructs the client to let his/her mind go blank and to notice whatever thought, feeling, image, memory, or sensation comes to mind. Depending upon the client’s report, the clinician will choose the next focus of attention. These repeated sets with directed focused attention occur numerous times throughout the session. If the client becomes distressed or has difficulty in progressing, the therapist follows established procedures to help the client get back on track.
When the client reports no distress related to the targeted memory, (s)he is asked to think of the preferred positive belief that was identified at the beginning of the session. At this time, the client may adjust the positive belief if necessary, and then focus on it during the next set of distressing events.
Phase 7: In phase seven, closure, the therapist asks the client to keep a log during the week. The log should document any related material that may arise. It serves to remind the client of the self-calming activities that were mastered in phase two.
Phase 8: The next session begins with phase eight. Phase eight consists of examining the progress made thus far. The EMDR treatment processes all related historical events, current incidents that elicit distress, and future events that will require different responses
imagine if you could…
Learn to notice and calm feelings of dysregulation
Learn the skills necessary to identify physical manifestations of dysregulation in the body and techniques to help you feel rooted and secure
Understand the root cause of your self-sabotaging behaviors and work to heal from it
In your journey to overcome self-sabotage, we'll focus on self-awareness. Together, we'll identify patterns of procrastination, negative self-talk, and fear of success. Through challenging limiting beliefs, cultivating self-compassion, setting achievable goals, and seeking support, we'll create a treatment plan that fosters growth and empowers you towards a healthier self.
Be who you needed when you were younger
Together, we'll develop coping strategies, enhance self-care, and foster self-compassion. Embracing the role of nurturing your inner child, we'll work towards building resilience, reclaiming your voice, and nurturing your authentic self. Remember, you deserve the love and care you needed when you were younger.
we want you to know:
You’re not alone in this.
We will walk through this with you.
faqs
Common questions about therapy for PTSD & complex trauma
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps treat CPTSD by exploring and healing inner parts. Clients identify protective and wounded parts, developing relationships with them.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) focuses on traumatic memories, using eye movements to desensitize and reprocess them, reducing distress and promoting healing. Both approaches have shown effectiveness in CPTSD treatment.
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The duration of therapy for CPTSD can vary depending on individual needs, severity of symptoms, and progress made. It can range from several months to years, as the healing process requires time and commitment.
We will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique circumstances and goals.
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Relational trauma requires relational healing.
Your therapist will play a crucial role in your CPTSD healing, providing a safe and supportive environment. They will offer validation, empathy, and expert guidance, helping you navigate trauma-related emotions and memories. They will facilitate trauma processing, teach coping skills, and empower you to reclaim your live, fostering resilience and growth.
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During therapy for PTSD, self-care practices like mindfulness, grounding techniques, journaling, exercise, relaxation exercises, setting boundaries, seeking social support, and engaging in activities that bring joy and promote self-expression are recommended.
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Call, text or email us to schedule your free consultation. We will determine if we are a good fit for your needs and get you on our schedule for regular sessions.
Ready to get started?