You are tired of worrying about what happened.
No matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to move forward.
Struggling with sleep, battling feelings of depression, or persistently feeling anxious.
Something has to give
You need to reclaim your life and your joy.
Trauma Therapy CAN Help
I understand that it may be difficult to believe right now, but there is a path to feeling better. Many individuals walk into our counseling office with uncertainty about what lies ahead. They simply recognize their exhaustion with their current emotional state.
Perhaps you're not even considering delving into the specifics of your trauma; your immediate desire might be to reduce anxiety or even alleviate some of the self-criticism you experience. Even a modest 10% reduction in self-hatred could make your daily life more manageable. However, you might have reservations about whether counseling can genuinely guide you back to happiness.
If you find it challenging to believe in the effectiveness of counseling, our therapists are here to hold onto hope on your behalf. We firmly believe in the efficacy of trauma therapy. Why? Because we've witnessed numerous individuals walk into our counseling office unsure of its purpose, only to leave with a renewed zest for life. We won't sugarcoat it; the road ahead may be tough, and you might contemplate quitting along the way. However, with perseverance, a skilled trauma therapist can assist you in processing your past, discovering new coping strategies, and finding your sense of purpose once more.
Our founder, Jamie, lives with C-PTSD and knows the difficulties our clients face. She frequently expresses that trauma is her favorite aspect of therapy to address because she knows from personal experience that people can and will recover. Trauma therapy represents some of the most challenging work a therapist can undertake, but it is also immensely gratifying. Numerous evidence-based methods are available that we are aware of, and they have proven effective in helping individuals regain their well-being.
Don't let your trauma continue to hold you back.
At Long Island EMDR, we believe in trauma therapy treatment that really works.
Trauma can cast a dark shadow over every aspect of your life. You might find yourself avoiding anything that reminds you of the past, whether it's thoughts, feelings, people, places, activities, or situations. This avoidance can lead to feeling numb, empty, or detached from the world around you. Negative thoughts and emotions can consume your every moment, leaving you feeling angry, afraid, guilty, or just plain numb. You might even develop beliefs like "I'm bad" or "The world's unsafe," causing further isolation and pain.
Living with these symptoms can be an exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming experience. It's as if you're constantly on high alert, never able to truly relax. Sleep becomes elusive, irritability takes over, and concentration becomes a distant memory. You're always on the lookout for signs of danger, even in the safest of places.
Why go to a Trauma Specialist in Smithtown, NY ?
Trauma is an area where it's crucial to seek out a specialized therapist. Trauma therapy goes beyond the typical conversations about your week. Initially, it might involve building a therapeutic relationship, discussing your current sources of stress, and developing coping strategies. However, your therapist will then draw upon established methods for treating trauma and PTSD, methods we've been trained in. Why? Because we firmly believe that you deserve genuine healing. Our aim isn't merely to provide a temporary fix for your pain; we are committed to helping you attain lasting freedom from your past experiences.
At Long Island EMDR, our therapists are well-versed in evidence-based trauma therapies, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). You'll learn new coping skills and techniques to manage your symptoms, and you'll discover a renewed sense of self-worth and empowerment. You'll feel like yourself again. You don't have to continue living like this. Trauma therapy offers a path to healing and reclaiming your life. We'll collaborate with you to determine the treatment approach that will guide you from fear to confidence, from despair to hope, and from brokenness to wholeness.
Imagine a future where:
- Unwanted memories and nightmares no longer control your thoughts.
- Flashbacks and physical reactions are a thing of the past.
- You can finally confront the memories that haunt you and find peace.
- You no longer feel numb or detached but are fully present in your life.
- Negative beliefs are replaced with self-compassion and a sense of safety.
- You sleep peacefully, wake up refreshed, and live with ease.
- Your relationships flourish as you let go of hypervigilance and fear.
These are all possible outcomes of trauma therapy
You deserve relief from PTSD symptoms like sleep disturbances, intrusive memories, self-doubt, depression, and anxiety. Regardless of where you currently stand in your healing journey, as a counseling center serving the Suffolk County, NY area or anywhere in New York State via online therapy, the path to healing begins here.
Was what happened to me really even considered trauma?
This is an exceedingly common question that arises when someone begins therapy. It's quite easy to convince oneself that "it could have been worse." Regardless of what you've endured, you might catch yourself focusing on all the things you haven't experienced and attempting to persuade yourself that what happened to you "wasn't that bad".
Whether it's a severe car accident, witnessing the unexpected death of a loved one, a debilitating injury, a natural disaster, a sexual assault, or domestic violence, trauma is defined as any event that overwhelms a person's capacity to cope. If you've encountered a situation where your usual coping mechanisms proved ineffective, you've undergone a traumatic experience.
Now, there are various forms of traumatic experiences. It could be an acute traumatic incident that occurred intensely once, or your trauma history might involve recurring instances of complex trauma, such as ongoing abuse. There are also collective traumas, like events such as 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic, which affect many people simultaneously. Additionally, vicarious trauma occurs when you are overwhelmed beyond your usual coping abilities by hearing about and working with individuals who have experienced trauma. All of these scenarios are considered traumatic.
After experiencing something overwhelming, such as a traumatic event, you may naturally recover within a few weeks or months. However, you might also find yourself grappling with PTSD symptoms like nightmares, anxiety, depression, avoidance, and fear, which appear to hinder your progress. In such cases, counseling in Smithtown, NY at Long Island EMDR can be a valuable resource to help you rediscover yourself.
What are the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Recognizing signs of potential Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) includes experiencing heightened alertness, avoiding reminders of past traumatic events, struggling with sleep and nightmares, enduring moments where it feels like you're reliving the trauma, having difficulty concentrating, withdrawing from social interactions, or experiencing depression. The good news is that you don't have to endure these PTSD symptoms on your own; trauma treatment can pave the way to recovery.
Trauma therapy may initially appear as the last thing you'd want, but engaging with a trauma counselor can be instrumental in processing and healing.
Symptoms of PTSD fall into four distinct categories and may manifest differently based on your individual personality, support network, and the nature of your traumatic experience. When you schedule an initial assessment with a trauma counselor at Long Island EMDR, we'll closely examine your symptoms to determine if they align with a PTSD diagnosis. The four ways trauma can impact a person, potentially leading to PTSD, include:
Intrusive, Unwanted, Negative Thoughts:
Intrusive thoughts can manifest in various forms, such as involuntary memories, nightmares, and flashbacks, which are commonly experienced by individuals with PTSD. These intrusive thoughts and memories of your trauma often intrude at the most inconvenient times, making it challenging to move forward in life.
Avoidance of Situations:
It's human nature to want to avoid situations that evoke discomfort or distress. For this reason, individuals who have undergone highly stressful events may initially find relief by avoiding anything that reminds them of those distressing memories. At first, this avoidance might provide temporary relief and a fleeting sense of normalcy. However, over time, avoidance can reinforce PTSD symptoms, leading to a pattern of avoidance that extends to more situations, people, thoughts, and things.
Distorted Ideas & Negative Self-Talk:
Those with PTSD commonly harbor distorted thoughts and beliefs about themselves or others, which can manifest as ongoing fear, anger, guilt, or shame. These thoughts may take the form of beliefs like "I am a bad person," "I can't trust anyone," or "I should have died, not her." These cognitive distortions can lead to diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities and a sense of detachment from loved ones.
Risky or Out-of-Character Behavior:
Reactive behaviors associated with PTSD can include frequent angry outbursts, heightened irritability, reckless or self-destructive actions, increased startle response, and difficulties with concentration and sleep. Many individuals who experience a traumatic event may initially display these symptoms in the days immediately following the event. However, in the case of PTSD, these symptoms persist for months and even years. Additionally, it's common for individuals with PTSD to experience co-occurring issues, such as substance use to cope, depression, or anxiety.
What to Anticipate in PTSD Treatment
The journey of PTSD treatment can be compared to hiking through the mountains - some trails are smooth and easy to navigate, while others are rugged and require careful steps to avoid tripping and falling. The journey starts off with breathtaking views, just like how the initial stages of treatment bring relief and hope for the future. As the trail starts to get steeper and more challenging, the hiker may experience fatigue, pain, and doubt, just like how patients undergoing treatment may face setbacks, flashbacks, and doubt in their ability to heal.
At Long Island EMDR, our trauma therapists provide a range of highly effective, evidence-based treatments for PTSD. These treatments have undergone rigorous testing and research, proving their effectiveness in providing relief to others. You don't need to remain stuck for an extended period. Trauma treatment is efficacious, and most individuals experience significant relief from their PTSD symptoms within a matter of months. Our therapists are compassionate, skilled, and dedicated to tailoring your treatment to align with your unique needs, values, and preferences.
The journey of PTSD treatment commences with establishing a connection with your therapist and building trust. You will acquire grounding techniques and other strategies to manage anxiety. Efforts may be directed towards enhancing sleep quality and addressing nightmares. Then, the more challenging phase begins. The specific trauma treatment method employed with your therapist dictates the precise approach to addressing your trauma. It's important to acknowledge that this process may be demanding, and there may be moments when therapy doesn't feel enjoyable. However, you can also count on your therapist to be empathetic and supportive.
Throughout your journey, your therapist will be there every step of the way, offering guidance and support. Effective counseling need not extend over several years. In fact, our clients often report substantial improvements after just a couple of months. Our aim is to facilitate your healing process swiftly, which is why we employ tried-and-true trauma treatments. Long Island EMDR therapists possess extensive experience in helping other trauma survivors. We've conducted thorough research, attended numerous training sessions, read extensively, and collaborated with fellow therapists to ascertain the most effective methods for facilitating a swift and comprehensive recovery from PTSD.
But just like how the view at the summit makes the hike worthwhile, the ultimate goal of PTSD treatment is to reach a place of peace, acceptance, and healing. And although the trail may be full of twists and turns, valleys and peaks, the strength, resilience, and perseverance of both the hiker and the patient can overcome the challenges along the way and make it to the top. In the end, the journey through PTSD treatment can be seen as a metaphor for the beauty and resilience of nature itself.
Considering PTSD Treatment
The effects of trauma vary from person to person. At times, a challenging situation can overpower your coping mechanisms. You might encounter instances where it seems as if you are re-experiencing the trauma, frequently pondering the distressing event, enduring nightmares, feeling constantly on edge or startled, and reacting excessively or persistently worrying.
No matter if the distressing event you endured involved rape, sexual assault, accidents, severe injuries, domestic violence, natural disasters, the unexpected loss of a loved one, or combat during military service, our goal is to assist you in finding relief. The journey toward healing commences here.
At Long Island EMDR, we have a team of highly experienced trauma therapists who specialize in the treatment of PTSD. Each of our trauma therapists is well-trained and proficient in utilizing at least one evidence-based treatment for PTSD, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (typically for adolescents), or Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR). We provide effective treatments to help you attain emotional liberation and healing. You don't have to navigate this journey in solitude. It's important to understand that individuals can recover and rediscover a meaningful and tranquil life even after experiencing unimaginable trauma. We encourage you to reach out and allow one of our therapists to initiate counseling with you promptly, so you can regain your path to living fully.
If you're contemplating counseling for PTSD and reside in the state of New York, we are here to assist you. Please don't hesitate to contact us today to explore how our counseling services can support your progress forward. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation, and let's start your healing journey together. Your brighter, more peaceful future awaits. Say goodbye to the shadows of trauma and embrace the light of recovery. You deserve it.
Don't let the pain of your past continue to define your present and future.
Take the first step toward transformation today.