What is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is what happens when your mind and body struggle to move past a distressing experience. It’s more than just bad memories, individuals with PTSD often feel stuck in a cycle of fear, anxiety, or numbness, sometimes triggered by certain sounds, places, or even thoughts. It can make it hard to feel safe, relax, or connect with others, even when the danger is long gone.
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Intrusive thoughts – Flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing memories that make it feel like the trauma is happening all over again.
- Avoidance – Staying away from places, people, or situations that remind you of the trauma, or avoiding talking about it altogether.
- Negative changes in thoughts and mood – Feelings of guilt, shame, or detachment from others, along with difficulty experiencing joy or positive emotions.
- Hyperarousal – Feeling on edge, easily startled, struggling with sleep, or experiencing bursts of anger or irritability.
How Therapy Helps with PTSD:
PTSD can make everyday life feel overwhelming, but therapy offers a path toward healing by helping you process trauma, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild emotional resilience. Different therapeutic approaches work in unique ways to address PTSD symptoms.
EMDR Therapy – Reprocessing Trauma
- Uses eye movements or tapping to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
- Reduces the emotional intensity of flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Healing Inner Parts
- Helps you understand and heal the “parts” of yourself affected by trauma.
- Strengthens your core Self to bring calm and self-compassion to wounded parts.
Somatic Therapy – Releasing Trauma from the Body
- Uses movement, breathwork, and grounding to release stored trauma.
- Helps reduce hypervigilance and restore a sense of safety in the body.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Managing Emotions & Triggers
- Teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills.
- Helps reduce impulsive reactions and build resilience to PTSD triggers.