Trauma

Many of us suffer from trauma. Healing is possible, and you do not have to take the journey alone. 

 

Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. While most people think of traumatic events like life-threatening situations or violence,  any distressing event that falls beyond the scope of normal human experience can be considered traumatic.

 
Maybe you’ve been caught off guard by your emotional and physical reaction to something. Or maybe you think that you’ve “gotten over” an event or relationship, but unexpected (or predictable) things still upset you. You may feel like your mind and body are constantly on “high alert.” Or you may have noticed that the way you see yourself, others, and the world has fundamentally shifted as a result of a traumatic event. 

 

Trauma is real, and treating it with the help of a trauma therapist in Annapolis, MD can help you understand and manage it.

 

Our trauma therapists’ in Annapolis approach

 

Our therapists are trauma-informed. This means that we understand the complex impact trauma can have on you, and we integrate this knowledge into every aspect of your treatment plan. We honor and respect your experiences so you can be open with us.

 

The following principles guide our trauma therapy:

 

Safety

 

We want to restore your sense of safety and wellbeing.

 

We prioritize your physical and emotional safety, and offer a safe environment where healing can occur. We move at a pace you’re comfortable with, collaborating with you along the way.

 

Resilience

 

Resilience is the ability to bounce back or recover from difficulty. In the face of trauma, we need resilience.

 

Resilience helps us face our trauma and journey on the path to healing. There exists a version of you before your trauma, and we want to help restore that version.

 

Fluidity

 

Trauma creates rigid thought patterns, stories, and physical reactions.

 

We want to break this cycle, allowing you to reconsider triggering events and how you react to them. Although we cannot take away what caused your trauma, we can help create more freedom and fluidity in navigating life’s challenges.

 

 

What to expect

 

Attending therapy for your trauma can be hard.

 

We want to make our intake process as simple as possible so you feel comfortable starting therapy.

 

Learn about our trauma therapists. You can view our therapist’s bios here.

 

Schedule an intake session. If you’re not feeling quite ready, you can attend a 15-minute, complimentary consultation.

 

Attend your intake session. During your intake session, you’ll discuss why you want therapy, your history, and what your life is like today.

 

Start therapy. Our therapists are here to gently and empathetically treat you. Facing trauma can be emotional, and we want you to feel supported and cared for every step of the way.

 

 

Trauma therapy FAQs

 

Many of us suffer from trauma, but popular culture misinterprets what trauma really is. Here, we answer a few questions that you may have about trauma.

 

How do you know if you’re traumatized?

 

It’s best to consult with a trained and licensed therapist before any diagnosis. 

 

That being said, trauma manifests itself in many ways. Many of our clients with trauma experience the following:

 

1. Physical reactions. When you’re triggered, you may feel nauseous, dizzy, have a rapid heartbeat, chills, sleep disturbances, and more.
2. Mental reactions. You might have difficulty concentrating, relive memories of the event (or events), or you may be hyper-aware and vigilant.
3. Emotional reactions. We emotionally experience trauma in many different ways: anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, feelings of being lost, lonely or abandoned, and more.

 

Your trauma is unique to you. Consult with a trained and licensed therapist to understand your trauma so you can manage it throughout your life.

 

Does trauma ever go away?

 

While the fact that you experienced trauma will never go away, we believe that it is possible to overcome the psychological and physical impact trauma is having on your life. We believe a beautiful, meaningful life is still possible for you. We understand how to treat and manage the symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of your trauma.

 

How long does trauma therapy take?

 

How long trauma treatment takes is unique to you. It depends on the severity of your trauma, your history, and the state of your life today. Although trauma feels involuntary and impossible to manage, it doesn’t always have to be like this.

 

Therapy is a proven method of trauma treatment, and we want to help. Learn more about our trained trauma therapists at Cedar Counseling & Wellness, to get started on your path to healing.