Trauma Counseling in Greater Los Angeles

Life-threatening or extremely distressing events can have lasting consequences on survivors' mental health even years after the situation has passed. If you are still dealing with the aftermath of an extremely stressful incident, you may be experiencing trauma. Trauma is a subjective response to any occurrence that leaves a person with adverse emotional or psychological effects. A traumatic experience can become a cycle causing the traumatized individual to repeatedly recreate or relive the experience, ultimately exacerbating their trauma. If you suffer from the effects of a traumatic event, trauma counseling can help you confront the cause of your trauma and begin your road to recovery.

Symptoms of trauma

Trauma manifests in many different ways depending on the individual and the event, or events, that led to it. If your response to a traumatic situation affects your life, it is not because you are having the 'wrong' reaction or are being too sensitive. When you live through a terrifying or devastating experience, there is no 'right' way to react. The resulting symptoms are merely your body and mind's way of coping. If you are experiencing symptoms that are adversely impacting on your life, a trauma counselor can help you take back control.

The symptoms of trauma can be either physical or psychological and may include:

• Denial or disbelief
• A state of shock
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Flashbacks to the incident
• Mood swings
• Irritability or anger
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Self-isolation
• Feeling numb or disassociated
• Insomnia or nightmares
• Muscle tension and related aches or pains
• Depression or anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Heightened reaction to triggers related to the trauma

As a trauma specialist, I will work with you to recognize the symptoms you are experiencing, some of which you may not realize stem from your trauma.

Causes of trauma

The symptoms of trauma develop as a response to a situation that left you with an emotional or psychological disturbance. The same event may traumatize one person yet not another because each person has a unique set of traits and life experiences. Therefore, each individual is affected in different ways because experiences are subjective. Experiencing a strong feeling of fear or helplessness during or after an incident is closely associated with an increased risk of trauma. So understanding and dealing with the cause is an essential part of therapy for trauma.

Although trauma often results from firsthand experience, it can also result from an indirect source such as an inundation of media and news about a very traumatic event.

Examples of situations that can lead to trauma include:

• Natural disasters
• Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
• Death of a loved one
• Domestic violence
• Neglect
• Bullying
• Surgery
• Being in an accident
• Serious injuries
• Life-threatening illness
• Mass shooting
• Terrorist attack
• Living in an unsafe environment

It is not uncommon that individuals do not even realize the root cause of their trauma. This is particularly likely if it stems from a childhood experience, an incident you cannot remember, or an event in which you were not directly involved. If you are experiencing symptoms of trauma and don't know why, as a trauma therapist, I can help you learn to regulate your emotional response and become more present and empowered in your life today.

Types of trauma

There are three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex. Each is based on incidents that cause some form of physical, mental, or emotional harm affecting your ability to function even after the event is over.

Acute trauma is caused by a singular event. Chronic trauma generally results from a repeated and longer-lasting experience. Complex trauma results when an individual experiences multiple traumatic situations.

Early childhood trauma that occurs between birth and the age of six is also generally differentiated from other traumatic experiences.

Therapy for trauma

When you are ready to seek help, finding a trauma specialist that can address your specific needs is essential. As a trauma counselor, I offer an individualized approach based on a combination of your particular symptoms, type of trauma, specific traumatic experiences, among other factors.

During your trauma counseling session, I will use integrative therapy to address your symptoms and help you to change your behavior and response to your traumatic experience.

If you are searching for trauma counseling in the Los Angeles area, I am here to support you on your journey to recovery. I understand how devastating trauma can be to your daily life and offer a compassionate, individualized approach to help you heal. So make the first step today to take back your life. Give me a call and reap the rewards of working with an experienced trauma specialist with the expertise to help you recover.