Trauma and Grief Counseling
Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster.
It is said that, “pain shared is pain halved” . While many of us can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends, sometimes we discover that the effects of exposure to one or more traumas and loss, can cause us to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress, far after the event has passed.
The result can be that traumatic events and deep personal loss, can impact our ability to function in our personal relationships; in the work environment; academically; and socially.
We are human and having trouble navigating all of this is totally understandable.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist can be helpful in working through the impact of trauma and loss.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Trauma and Grief
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event or the person lost
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Persistent intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressiveness, potential for self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of control
Changes in Mood, Behavior, and Cognitive Symptoms
- Profound sadness
- 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
- Fear of another trauma or loss
- Feeling helpless
- Feeling hopeless
- Inability accepting a loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Realization that a loved one’s death is permanent
- Fear of another loss
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Numbness
- Guilt
- Changes in social activities
- Withdrawal
- Difficulty maintaining normal routines
Research has proven psychotherapy can been of the most effective forms of treatment for trauma and loss. Some forms of therapy that can be effective are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness Therapies, and other modalities that can be helpful in treating trauma, grief, and loss.
If you or someone you know is having an especially rough time, I invite you to contact me today for a free consultation, to see if I can help you navigate all of this.
