Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one.

While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed. In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a psychologist are fundamental to healing from trauma.

There are the four types of trauma symptoms listed in the DSM-5:

Avoidance Symptoms

• Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
• Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt

Re-experiencing Symptoms

• Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks

Hyperarousal Symptoms

• Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
• Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
• Sleep disturbances

Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms

• Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
• Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
• Change in habits or behavior since the trauma

Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) are used in treating trauma.

I have been trained in EMDR since 2007. I also have certification in Child-Parent Psychotherapy in the state of Colorado.