Have you experienced an unanticipated event that was exceptionally shocking or painful?
Have you witnessed or been exposed to a situation that has left you unusually fearful or anxious?
Have you found yourself operating out of fear? Have you felt paralyzed in your decisions, but you aren’t even sure why?
Do you struggle to move on from an unpleasant experience but somehow can’t, no matter how hard you try?
Trauma and complex trauma, deeply disturbing experiences that leave a multi-layered and deep-rooted residue, can leave you feeling debilitated – tired, mentally exhausted, indecisive, unsure, paralyzed, anxious. How does trauma rewire the brain? Trauma can occur at any age and any developmental stage and even affects you physiologically, sending your nervous system into survival mode which keeps your anxiety revved up and your ability to think critically diminishes. Sometimes you are triggered and your body unconsciously takes you right back to the original event. You feel angry or upset, and you don't even know why.
What exactly is trauma? A trauma can be surviving an auto accident, witnessing an assault, surviving a war, being impacted by a natural disaster or terrorism (all what we call "big T" traumas) or perhaps it's a combination of what we refer to as small (or "little T") traumas such as being bullied, experiencing social rejection, coping with a shattered dream, not feeling seen or heard in a relationship, having your voice silenced, emotional/physical abuse, a move, a job loss, or abandonment. You can see that trauma encompasses a wide range of events. And now, Covid 19 is no exception. Whether you’re a frontline worker, have lost a loved one, or had your world turned upside down, Covid has penetrated our psyche and certainly qualifies for a traumatic event in itself. More or less, trauma is anything you perceive as a loss. Very often, you may not even recognize how an experience from the past has had a lasting impact. However, somehow when triggered, the past once again becomes the present and the unhealed mind's illogical thinking takes over - permeating your thoughts and behaviors. You find yourself missing out on the very life you have right in front of you.
Listen as Ashley Evans describes EMDR Therapy
If you suffer from PTSD or trauma, know that it is possible to make sense of the emotions and to learn how to use your body to keep your brain working clearly. You can lessen the fear, shock, anxiety, or anger that the seemingly indelible impressions left behind and instead move forward with your life. I am also happy to share that I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming). EMDR is a therapeutic treatment that was originally designed for trauma survivors, but is now used for a variety of issues, including PTSD and even addiction. Understand that your confidential time with me is your place to be messy, to let it go, to say the “unsayable”, to find calm again. Release the mind, stop the playbacks, and shove the fear and anxiety off this roller coaster ride so that you regain hope, peace and control of your life. You can return to a life worth living, and even one full of joy and happiness. Let’s make that happen.